Mother is just a bit scatty or in need of help from the authorities?

LegacyUser

As the user name suggests am I being just overly judgmental or do I have cause for concern.
There is a woman in my town who I sort of know. She has young children aged around from 4-7.
Now I generally over look things and I know anybody can't be on the ball all the time.
The first thing is the kids are always very mischievous in shops. Kids with needs/etc so I can over look this.
Another issue is the kids are always isles away from her in the shops either running around or playing with things. I might see this the odd time with somebody else but this is always the case with her. Is it normal for parents to leave their kids totally unsupervised in supermarkets?
Another thing is the kids only seem to wear t-shirts on the coldest of days. Yet again I know kids can be hot but I've never really seen them dressed up.
Recently tough and this is what caused me a bit of an issue. She went into a shop and left the kids in the car with the ignition running. The car wasn't even outside the shop it was a few doors away from it at night and she was their for a few minutes.
Now I have seen people run into the shop/atm for a second but they generally locked the car/etc parked with eye sight and the kids were calmer.
Now I don't want to get anybody into trouble for a second but does she need a little bit of extra support/help or are the above things I mentioned normal.
The car thing did concern me to be honest.
What would ye do in this situation? Report it or say nothing?
If people do suggest reporting it can it be done privately?
PS The dad is on the scene.

Xterminator

Hi Op

Do you know what, you might be right that this woman could do with a little help. But there is nothing there that would make me ring tusla.

she might benefit from a friend that offers to help, are you in a situation where you can be a friend?

But if you are asking if you should seek a state intervention, i would say no, based on the information above.

TJ Mackie

Going off of only what you posted, I would say it it was you being extremely judgemental and there is absolutely nothing of concern there.

strandroad

I agree that the car situation is a hazard. The children can easily walk out under approaching cars, and an opportunistic thief is a risk as well. I wouldn't feel good if I was aware of it and then something happened.

Wouldn't you try to point it out to her in a chat though?

noble00

Gosh you really know a lot about this woman do you make it your business to see what she is up to every day so you can judge , I agree with others nothing that you have said screams neglect or abuse , reporting her on just what you have wrote is ridiculous,I do not agree with kids left in car with engine running but we all make mistakes, maybe she does need help or a friend , I certainly would not want you as one , you need to get a hobby for yourself

LegacyUser

Ok, thanks for the advice.
I'll do nothing as I said I was unsure about the situation.
I am from a small town and hard to avoid because every time I've encountered them in the past few months they've being unsupervised in shops/etc.
Mods can lock and delete the thread!

Neyite

noble00 wrote: »

Gosh you really know a lot about this woman do you make it your business to see what she is up to every day so you can judge , I agree with others nothing that you have said screams neglect or abuse , reporting her on just what you have wrote is ridiculous,I do not agree with kids left in car with engine running but we all make mistakes, maybe she does need help or a friend , I certainly would not want you as one , you need to get a hobby for yourself

Mod:

noble00, here on this forum we expect people to be civil and offer advice in a constructive manner to the person who started this thread. If you post in this manner again you will be given cards or bans.