Mom ordered to stop baby-sitting friends’ kids

I agree this is the craziest thing i ever heard. Matt Lauer was a total a__. It is clear he does not need to worry about his kids being taken care of because his wife is not working or they have a nanny. He should be embarassed listening to himself in that interview. If you need a little help with your children and you have a friend willing to help you why wouldn't you leave them for a bit. People need to get a life. The children were in a safe place not out on the street by themselves.

man !is that 's some sorry s@#$ i ever heard in my life!kids are being kidnapped,murdered and molested ,and this woman watches these children for free.if more of that was being done across the nation i believe our children would be better parents/citizens theirselves!

What a load of hockey! Kids get kidnapped every day waiting for their bus b/c parents have to work, yet here we have a mom who is willing to help and ensure the kids have a safe place to wait! I see too many kids, small children waiting by themselves for the bus every morning and please, do not always blame the parents, in these tough economic times, some parents cant afford nannys or to be stay at home parents MR LAUER! I say BRAVO to the mom and her congressman for sticking up for all parents! With all the REAL abuse of children going on out in the world and DHS letting it "slip by", you would think they would be more deligent in investigating the REAL issues instead of wasting the tax payers time and money on such OBVIOUS nonsense! Cmmon sense goes a long way and it seems this nation has lost it in abundance lately!

Does anyone think we still live in a free country?

Just big gov't at it again.

This isn't a big gov't problem, it's a stupid person problem. Stuff like this goes on all the time and the law has been on the books for 35 years. It's only a problem now because some dimwitted person at DHS has incredibly poor judgement.

You're right, and I thought about it about two seconds after I posted.

erika Boy! you took the words right out of my mouth! DHS has been known to let some children fall through the cracks and now they want to punish someone who really, really cares about children!! What a crock!!

Bingo! That is exactly who reported the complaint to DHS, someone looking for some extra money.

Apparently in Michigan it is...and probably other states, too. Hopefully this case WILL get the law rewritten so that family friends have protection, but so that kids are still protected against illegal or unskilled daycare operations. It's the price we pay for having a government that we expect to protect us from these various dangers.

Maybe this is Uncle Sam's way of making sure that anything of any value or benefit to anyone must serve the interests (and pocketbooks) of a business and/or the government. Homeland security, any one?

The woman wasn't licensed. If a neighbor can't help a neighbor, then the world is pretty sick. It is just government wanting some pocket money. The woman doesn't get paid for this. Ever heard of doing a good deed for someone???? Get Real and get a life!I don't see the need for a background check since these women are friends and obviously know each other. As I said, Get a Life!

It's just another way for them to get more money from the community. I remember a time when a new person/family moved into the neighborhood, you brought over a dish, interduced yourself and got to know your neighbor. I made sure when I brought my new house that I move to just such a place. If my neighbor ask me to watch there kid, I would. State and local figures are always either over stepping their boundaries, or not doing their jobs at all.
usmc sam-U.S.C.D.F.

Interestingly enough, our congress people are telling us to turn to our neighbors and charity if we become seriously ill or disabled and that it's not the government's job to provide the benefits we pay for through social security taxes. But, as this story shows, when we help each other, there's big brother at the door.

"I think we are missing a valuabe point including Mr. Lauer, the state requires you to have a CORI request, its a background check, and when you are liscenced its the law, therefore the state is doing their job by following through with this process. These laws are there to protect our children unfortunately it could have been handled better, but we are all able to be mindful of our children are our most chershied job."

Are the children more cherised and precious to the state then to these mothers?Your saying these parents are not looking out for the best interest of their kids by letting her watch them? That if I can't do a background check on someone then I can't trust them with my kids? Schools do background checks and still we have incidences of molestations and pedophiles working in our schools.

The state doesn't even do its job in protecting its children in foster care. I am also well aware of how they handle reports of real child abuse. They won't get involved in any matter that doesn't gain them power politically.

Who says a neighbor had to turn her in for money? The state would be well aware that the parents are gone before these kids leave for school. All that information is available to schools when you register a student, in case they need to contact the parents of an emergency or absence. DHS is part of every public school system. They are probably upset because parents actually want a choice in raising their children and not put them in state run morning daycare programs. They'd like it better for you to pay more taxes so you can work even more.

It does not take Hillary Clintons village it takes community minded people who want to support parents not try to raise their kids for them.

childwatchdg

Most states require daycare workers to be on a registry. The background check is not extensive if at all. No fingerprinting is required. It wouldn't be hard to get on the list and still be a molester. I just means you haven't been caught in that state. And the state is looking at physical abuse. My grandchildren were in a daycare that was regiestered and were treated in such a manner emotionally that they hated being there. So, how did licensing help? Let the parents decide who is best to watch their children. And where do grandparents and other relatives fall into this rule? Families can't help each other without being a licensed facility? Not very family-like.

The world would be a better place if communities cared for each other. Michigan, and who knows which state will be next, is way overbounds. We, as neighbors and friends, should help each other. I agree that the whistleblower could be someone doing daycare; but if that is the case, they need to let go of the almighty dollar. This person may well be in a position some day of needing help that really doesn't need to be compensated with money. And the "playdate" thing -- why should government care whose kids are playing with whose or who watches their friends kids so they can shop or enjoy a dinner out with their spouse or other friends. That is Big Brother.

As far as Matt Lauer's comments about liability -- I believe that is what insurance is for. These kids all play together when not in school and accidents happen. If a child gets hurt let the parents decide if it was neglect or just kids being kids.

"tracked down and beat w/ a baseball bat"

That's about the stupidest, most irresponsible things I've ever heard (and remember, I just read this article, which I thought was extremely stupid). You should be ashamed of yourself! Now, maybe whoever snitched was doing it to be mean...some sort of bad blood between that person and this mother; but it's just as likely that they were well-meaning, even if totally misguided. But suggesting that they should be "beat w/ a baseball bat" makes you an even bigger "A$$hole" than they are.

The problem is not who "snitched"; the problem is the "Michigan Department of HUMAN (sic) Services (DHS)". If reasonable people had studied the complaint, they would have probably told the snitcher that it was a private matter of a friend helping others have their children board the bus safely. But one idiot on top of another can form a mountain of idiocy, like in this case... So now what about moms who drive other children than their own to school, to help friends, the traffic and the environment? Is it going to be considered a transportation service and moms will have to get a license too?

I also have an issue with the title of the article "Mom ordered to stop baby-sitting..." This woman is NOT baby-sitting by any means. She is helping some neighbors get their children safely in the school bus.

I hope this mom gets lots of support against the Michigan DHS... "Human"... what a laugh!

JA, maybe DHS made it up.

choochoo - If DHS made up the snitch, then how did they find out about the woman in first place? Someone had to tell them.

michelle-060802-

You tell the school when and where you'll be all day on registration forms. It seems pretty obvious to me. Since your expected to have responsible child care for your small children you can't just tell the school they are getting themselves on the bus and home getting themselves ready for school. The school reports all truancy or other abuse to the DHS so why wouldn't they be expected to report anyone providing unlicensed daycare to DHS? The school keeps an eye out for more then parents realize when your child is in school. I don't know if parents today really understand how things are stacked against them. Maybe parents are getting more of an education about it now.

...and of course the day care fees would be taxable income. If we barter for goods and services, Big Brother can't tax it.

Meanwhile, some lawyer just made a down payment on a vacation home in Bermuda.

Ain't that the damn truth.

And yet we just keep asking for more and more government involvement in our life! This lady and her friends were doing the right thing and helping each other out. We should demand more out of life than a government that can take away the simple freedom of being good to each other and helping raise each others children. Apathy is dangerous. When are we going to wake up?

Actually, teachers and school bus drivers are probably more regulated than people who run daycare centers. Still, I know I would want to feel sure that all three jobs are filled by people who don't have some sort of violent history, or pedophilial leanings. But yes, we expect that our common sense is good enough to tell when a friend of the family can be trusted with our children (though it doesn't always, but that's the risk we run).

Hey! And, what about the guy who kidnaps, molests and keeps kids in his back yard for 18 years?! Where was DHS then???

It's stupid because we've let it get this way. Our rights have been gradually diminished by big, controlling, liberal government, like Chinese water torture. By the way, the bureaucrat's salary, pension, vacation and other benefits are paid for by working citizens and you can bet the pension is a defined scheme tied to his final salary, whereas most working people are on an at-employee's-risk cash and carry retirement scheme.

You say liberal like it's a bad thing. This great experiment we call the United States IS a "liberal democracy".

"The term "liberal" in "liberal democracy" refers to adherence to the ideology of political liberalism... Liberal democracies feature consitutional protections of individual rights from government power..." (Wikipedia)

If we expect the government to work for us, then we need to be willing to fund that work (salary, benefits, etc. for gov. employees....we'd want the same, right), AND at the same time, we need to be ready and willing to ENGAGE in the care of our government (both the feeding of it, and judicious pruning, when needed).

Freedom of speech is one of the founding principles of our society, but if you want that speech to mean anything, it has to be more than just whining and complaining. Get out there and write letters to YOUR state government, telling them that this issue is important. Don't expect them to read your comments on line, 'cause otherwise your concerns will NEVER get addressed, and you'll just continue to feel powerless.

NB: I've done exactly that (written to state and federal legislators) as recently as this July and I haven't even lived full-time in the United States since the end of 2000.

Grandmothers etc. doesn't apply.  It says "unrelated" children.

Now it's, America the Nothing's for Free.

No one has said anything about doing away with the law; it needs to be clarified and limits on the way in which the DHS can apply it need to be established:

“The law itself is taken way out of context. It’s meant to regulate the business of providing day care services. It’s not meant to apply to friends helping friends in this way,” Calley said. “What I’d like to do is clarify the law and take away the ability of the department to apply in this way.”

It's a shame we live during these times. I remember being a child, and riding my bike 20 miles from home. No one worried, or thought something bad happened to me because they had not seen me all day. And now, neighbors are turning against neighbors. I don't need the state or local gov't to take care of me. They don't do anything when I call, just when it's no sweat of their back. Take the local Dog Warden, after repeated complaints of a large dog running loose, and calls to the county commissionors office, nothing happened. I tried to do it the legal way, I ended up having to take care of it myself. Look at the issues with local law enforcement over stepping bounds,

Exactly!

And when they're not trying to get a piece of the pie they're trying to cause upheaval in what sounds like a nice community, with good friends and people...except for the big fat loser jerk who complained. I'd get those kids togehter and tp that turds house if they find out who it is:)

Good point, Daniel! This is stupid. I think this lady and her fellow moms should just ignore it as the whole thing will probably just "fall through the cracks" like other, more legitimate complaints have. sorry DSHS, but it is true. This is not a daycare and they have no right to say anything about it. This would not hold up in a court of law. So if no money is exchanging hands then I think the moms should keep on keepin' on.

That is exactly what I thought when I read this story. It is probably the some thought that went through the minds of the mothers and neighbor who all organized this system to keep their children safe. It is unfortunate that our governmental agencies that are supposed to protect the taxpayer/ common man cannot see the forest through the trees of bureacracy.

She's not being paid. She's not a business. She's not a day care.

She's a friend.

You're comparing apples and oranges.

Unfortunately, DHS bureaucrats don't know the difference between apples and oranges.

P317872 bull sh-t!! People have friends good friends, who help each other jerk!

Actually, I think they said that the parents of the dropped off child must remain with the child.

But I agree with you. It's ridiculous.

I think people need to realize to say "it takes a village" is actually what these woman are fighting against. They want the freedom to raise their own children as they see fit their not asking the village to raise them for them. They are taking responsiblity for the lives and safety of their own. I keep hearing people quote this phrase like its true just because the congressman and Matt Lauer spoke it.

Once again they are raising their own kids. This woman is just watching them for a couple hours not growing them up in her principles and family. They are supporting each other as a community not taking the parenting responsibility from their friends. The teenager that watches your children is not raising them for you she is providing babysitting for you while you are gone for a date or other reason.