Is this safe? or Against policy?

[newcatintown]

I live in a place where I leave my keys in my car at night and my doors unlocked. Are we crime free, no but the crimes here are usually between feuding family/friends/neighbors and not strangers. I have lived in cities, high crime cities so I know the dangers and I am careful with my children but don't go overboard. I think it's a personal decision each parent should make and there is no right or wrong decision. It is up the parent and the children and like a pp said, the maturity of the 12 year old and the temperment/personality of the 2 year old and whether the older sibling had babysat before etc. I let my 6 year old walk across our little rural street to our neighbors house, but he has to be home before dark. I can see him from my living room so I am constantly looking out the window to watch him playing in the neighbor's yard. I can still check up on him and watch him constantly but he gets a little freedom and learns how to follow rules by being home before dark and he knows the consequences. When my 17 year old was 6, there is no way I would have allowed him to cross the street by himself but we lived in a different neighborhood and he was no where near as mature as my 6 year old now. It depends on the child.

 

 

I have a problem articulating myself, but I know what you are saying. We protect our young, but also raise them to leave the nest, with whatever skills we can pass on. Most (not all) young teens are ready for responsibilty issues, and I personally feel they should happen. ***** is going to happen but to be afraid of every corner you turn is useless. A 12 yo watching a sibling in a locked cabin is a non-issue to me.

[DZNYROX]

THANK YOU!!! To tell someone they're lucky that something (that hasn't really been reported as happening on a cruise ship) didn't happen, is like saying, "Hey, you're lucky you didn't drop a knife on your foot today."

 

Could it happen? Yes. Does it happen often enough to keep me away from knives? No.

 

+1 Very well said.

[Crusin6]

Cruisin6,

 

I appreciate your concern, but what you are reporting could not possibly be true. There has to be more to the story. The only person in the USA that might be legally allowed to speak to the press about a child neglect case is the parent, unless parental rights have been terminated. No one else has the legal ability to do so. Also.... this would be a family court case, not a criminal court case and it would NOT be reported publically. You must be missing part of the story or you only know the parent's view.

 

Family court is not at all what you see on TV.

 

And along those lines.....I was watching my younger siblings at age ten for brief periods of time. You cannot generalize over this issue and you cannot call people insane when you no nothing about them.

Be well

nevermind

[pe4all]

My first job was babysitting a neighbor's kids 2 houses away from mine. I was about 12 at the time - no cell phones then, as others have stated. But MY parents never went out when I was sitting - "just in case." Even then it was nice having a safety net in case I needed one. I did the same when my dd started babysitting. She knew how/when/where to reach me at all times, "just in case." And yes, I did get some calls - "mom- so and so is throwing her guts up - what do I do, mom - I hear someone in the bushes outside - I'm calling the police, etc." When cruising, we did leave our dd's in the cabin if they were tired. Rules: 1. do not answer the cabin door - we have the key if we need to get it. 2. The balcony door is to remain locked at all times - off limits. 3. We came back to the cabin pretty much every 1/2 hour to check on them. We made sure there was a "meeting place" in case of fire/emergency on the ship, just as we do in a hotel. They knew the "exits" to the stairs, just as we do to this day in a hotel. And truthfully - I was nervous leaving them - and their age difference wasn't as large as 12 and 2. (it was 12 and 9) If a parent feels comfortable, who am I to be telling them how to parent their children?

[H82seaUgo]

i watched' with interest and then horror, one of those dateline type shows about kids and strangers.

 

parents of tweens were first asked what their kid would do had a stranger drove up and asked "have you seen my dog".

 

every parent stated emphatically that their kid would walk inside, or away from the car, and ignore the stranger.

 

and then, every kid shown walked right up to the car, within reach of the stranger.

 

the parents were flabbergasted.

 

and still remembering how i was at 12, had i been left without parental guidance in a balcony room, i would be out there once i knew the coast was clear. and would "know" how to rearrange all the blockade evidense once i was done.

 

"not my kid" are the three most overused words.

[Perfect Stranger]

i watched' with interest and then horror, one of those dateline type shows about kids and strangers.

 

parents of tweens were first asked what their kid would do had a stranger drove up and asked "have you seen my dog".

 

every parent stated emphatically that their kid would walk inside, or away from the car, and ignore the stranger.

 

and then, every kid shown walked right up to the car, within reach of the stranger.

 

the parents were flabbergasted.

 

and still remembering how i was at 12, had i been left without parental guidance in a balcony room, i would be out there once i knew the coast was clear. and would "know" how to rearrange all the blockade evidense once i was done.

 

"not my kid" are the three most overused words.

 

I've seen that show too. Even "smart" kids can easily be tricked/persuaded.

[pafam4]

My wife and I wouldn't think of doing it, but some parents simply think what can happen. We are on a ship in the middle of the ocean. At home, you know a little about your neighbors and the area. On a ship you don't know anything about any body. Criminals go on vacations too, you just don't know who they are. On our first cruise I over heard the couple acrossed the table from us (a table for 10). Talking and heard that he was a crack dealer who had been in prison before. Look at other websites and see how many rapes and other crimes happen on ships. If you move to a new neighborhood, and didn't know any body. Would you leave your kids alone. I know I wouldn't. But go on a cruise ship and people go, what could happen we are on a ship. Some parents just say this is my vacation and I'm going to have fun, but remember you are first a parent.

I tend to agree with you. I was babysitting at age 12, but for my family, I would not leave the kids at those ages alone in a locked balcony cabin on a cruise ship, because it is not a familiar environment (mainly I would worry about emergencies). Even though you prepare them and tell them where exits are, etc., even adults get disoriented and confused in emergencies.

 

I guess I view family vacations differently than some. We do things together on our family vacations. Time in the casino and bars are not that important to my husband and I when we are vacationing with our kids. If we wanted some "us time" we would pay for the ship sponsored babysitting for a couple of hours. I also wouldn't want to saddle my 12 year old with babysitting during his vacation. When my kids were that age, we were out (as a family) til all hours enjoying everything the ship had to offer. On vacations when they were younger, we realized that our activities needed to be planned around naps, early bedtimes, etc.

[babyher]

Wow thiis thread has taken on a life of it's own (like so many do *LOL*)

 

I agree that depending on the 12 yr olds maturity and responcibility , he should be Ok to watch a 2 yr old for a few hours.

 

Of course yo leave instructions and advise them , and lay down the rules.

 

But to get into all these hypothetical horror scenarios is a little much.

 

And this "You are on a ship full of strangers " idea . How many of you Really know your neighbors at home.?

 

I know there are people here from all over ,and in some towns , your next door neighbor is your best friend and the guy across the street has been your bowling partner for 30 years and the girl up the street is Godmother to your sister.

 

But in many areas if you know your neighbors name you are lucky.

 

You don't know them or what they are capable of anymore than the guy in the next cabin

[arush5268d]

Why do you feel the need to judge others and tattle on their review?

 

It's not your 12 or 2 year old; you need not be concerned. But, as others have said, it depends on the 12 year old. Plus the parents are just a few moments away should something happen. I don't see the 2 year old being in any danger in that situation.

[maggie cruises]

i watched' with interest and then horror, one of those dateline type shows about kids and strangers.

 

parents of tweens were first asked what their kid would do had a stranger drove up and asked "have you seen my dog".

 

every parent stated emphatically that their kid would walk inside, or away from the car, and ignore the stranger.

 

and then, every kid shown walked right up to the car, within reach of the stranger.

 

the parents were flabbergasted.

 

and still remembering how i was at 12, had i been left without parental guidance in a balcony room, i would be out there once i knew the coast was clear. and would "know" how to rearrange all the blockade evidense once i was done.

 

"not my kid" are the three most overused words.

 

here is something else yet to be discussed with regard to the Op's question:

 

1. Will the mini bar be completely empty and will said contents be out of the room entirely

 

2. Can the TV be locked as to the purchase of Adult content

 

Just askin' because from what I have seen responsible , independant, self sufficient and trust worthy..normal, typical hormone raging, intelligent 12 yo's have been known to like to experiment with both item 1 and 2 listed above...and to answer the question that the parents will see it on the S & S charges...12yo's have been known to deny things..and parents have been known to believe them...just sayin'

 

Oh I forgot...not my kid......yeah right!

[itchin2cruz]

here is something else yet to be discussed with regard to the Op's question:

 

1. Will the mini bar be completely empty and will said contents be out of the room entirely

 

2. Can the TV be locked as to the purchase of Adult content

 

Just askin' because from what I have seen responsible , independant, self sufficient and trust worthy..normal, typical hormone raging, intelligent 12 yo's have been known to like to experiment with both item 1 and 2 listed above...and to answer the question that the parents will see it on the S & S charges...12yo's have been known to deny things..and parents have been known to believe them...just sayin'

 

Oh I forgot...not my kid......yeah right!

 

I'm gonna go ahead and say "NOT MY KID" lol and *if* it did happen, I wouldn't be stupid enough to believe them if they tried to deny ordering a movie or drinking out of the liquor collection if they were the only one in a locked cabin. Who are they going to blame it on? Casper? lmao

[itchin2cruz]

OH and I know how sneaky kids can be because I was. I was sneaking and drinking at 14 but I wasn't stupid enough to do it in a situation where I would obviously get caught like in a locked cabin lol

[babyher]

here is something else yet to be discussed with regard to the Op's question:

 

1. Will the mini bar be completely empty and will said contents be out of the room entirely

 

2. Can the TV be locked as to the purchase of Adult content

 

Just askin' because from what I have seen responsible , independant, self sufficient and trust worthy..normal, typical hormone raging, intelligent 12 yo's have been known to like to experiment with both item 1 and 2 listed above...and to answer the question that the parents will see it on the S & S charges...12yo's have been known to deny things..and parents have been known to believe them...just sayin'

 

Oh I forgot...not my kid......yeah right!

 

 

Well of course liqour is a huge NO NO for a 12 yr old.

 

But if I am entrusting a 12 yr old with my 2 yr old . I guess he is mature enough to look at boobies.

 

:)

 

 

Seriously though, I have a cabinet full of liqour at home and the official word on that with my kids (now wayyyyyyy over 12 ) has always been ' DON"T TOUCH" ...I am not going to change my position just because it's a mini bar in a cabin.

[tulsacubfan]

This made me laugh so hard!! Not to hijack the thread -- but are you a Cradle Catholic?!:D I hear voices in my head saying the same thing, and I started babysitting at 10, for 2 siblings and 2 cousins. And, yes, I am partaking of a legal cigarette right now. Silver

 

double post

[tulsacubfan]

This made me laugh so hard!! Not to hijack the thread -- but are you a Cradle Catholic?!:D I hear voices in my head saying the same thing, and I started babysitting at 10, for 2 siblings and 2 cousins. And, yes, I am partaking of a legal cigarette right now. Silver

 

Made me (a cradle catholic :D) laugh too! A phrase I use often....and i quit smoking 5 years ago, so even if I could smoke legally where I am, I wouldn't!

[gtalum]

With a 12-year-old there (assuming a responsible 12-year-old) it's no big deal. IMHO. I was babysitting young kids by that age.

[alaskaalaska]

Twelve is old enough to babysit. Parents should use discretion as some 12 yr olds are more capable than others; I'm assuming these parents did use discretion. It is not against policy; and while laws vary per state- in most states it IS legal for a 12 yr old to babysit.

[arush5268d]

On a side thought, about the title of the thread, it could be both safe and against policy.

[maggie cruises]

I'm gonna go ahead and say "NOT MY KID" lol and *if* it did happen, I wouldn't be stupid enough to believe them if they tried to deny ordering a movie or drinking out of the liquor collection if they were the only one in a locked cabin. Who are they going to blame it on? Casper? lmao

 

but the real point that I am making is this..yes, the kid should know not to do it...but if the stuff is in the frig..or the parents rum runners are around....that has to be considered...

 

 

Point is...a kid left alone with a 2to can POSSIBLY be tempted....not yours or mine...but any kid....and then what happens to the 2 yo?

 

Seriously.....the 12 yo must be very mature....and the parents can't leave a stash behind...and the TV must be blocked.....the kid is 12......and the parents that leave that 12yo in charge are not only responsible for the 2 yo in his care..but for the 12yo as well...so the temptations on a ship should be under lock and key...that's all

[tef43]

I too, would wonder about the OP's motivation in starting this thread. :confused:

 

Against policy? Hardly.

 

Safe? If the parents trust their 12-tear old, who are you to say anything at all about it? MYOB. :mad:

[gtalum]

but the real point that I am making is this..yes, the kid should know not to do it...but if the stuff is in the frig..or the parents rum runners are around....that has to be considered...

 

 

Point is...a kid left alone with a 2to can POSSIBLY be tempted....not yours or mine...but any kid....and then what happens to the 2 yo?

 

Seriously.....the 12 yo must be very mature....and the parents can't leave a stash behind...and the TV must be blocked.....the kid is 12......and the parents that leave that 12yo in charge are not only responsible for the 2 yo in his care..but for the 12yo as well...so the temptations on a ship should be under lock and key...that's all

 

For what it's worth, all of these same concerns are present anytime you have someone babysit your kids. Are you suggesting that nobody ever hire a babysitter to watch their children?

[MissDiva1]

I've seen that show too. Even "smart" kids can easily be tricked/persuaded.

 

So can some adults:rolleyes:

[MissDiva1]

but the real point that I am making is this..yes, the kid should know not to do it...but if the stuff is in the frig..or the parents rum runners are around....that has to be considered...

 

 

Point is...a kid left alone with a 2to can POSSIBLY be tempted....not yours or mine...but any kid....and then what happens to the 2 yo?

 

Seriously.....the 12 yo must be very mature....and the parents can't leave a stash behind...and the TV must be blocked.....the kid is 12......and the parents that leave that 12yo in charge are not only responsible for the 2 yo in his care..but for the 12yo as well...so the temptations on a ship should be under lock and key...that's all

 

 

I take it none of your 12 yr. olds ever babysat:p

[Tbay-eh]

but the real point that I am making is this..yes, the kid should know not to do it...but if the stuff is in the frig..or the parents rum runners are around....that has to be considered...

 

 

Point is...a kid left alone with a 2to can POSSIBLY be tempted....not yours or mine...but any kid....and then what happens to the 2 yo?

 

Seriously.....the 12 yo must be very mature....and the parents can't leave a stash behind...and the TV must be blocked.....the kid is 12......and the parents that leave that 12yo in charge are not only responsible for the 2 yo in his care..but for the 12yo as well...so the temptations on a ship should be under lock and key...that's all

 

Lord - why should it be any different than at home. At what point do you suggest that you trust a child and give them some responsibility. At 12 they have the ability to understand right or wrong - good or bad - acceptable or unacceptable. They probably know full well the consequences of poor judgement and behaviour. Give them a little credit.

[babyher]

my parents had a better stocked bar in their basement than most night clubs (Back in the day when people gave bottles and cartons of cigarettes as gifts and entertained a lot at home ) never a lock in sight and never had a problem.

 

I have a few bottles and quite a few bottles of wine on a small bartop wine rack combo in my dining room and always have beer in the fridge . Never had a problem.

 

 

Why should a mini bar in a cruise ship cabin be any different. You talk to your kids and lay down the law at home and you let them know the same applies on a ship