Did leaving three very young children alone constitute responsible parenting?

[Estuarine]

These are the government guidelines also, Estuarine.  And it is because the training of GPs would include lectures and discussion on the care of young children including these guidelines, let alone the experience of a GP with regard to children on her patients list attending A&E, that it cannot be argued that they did not know these guidelines (let alone common sense and basic parenting )

And maybe that is the reason for some questionable behaviour after the balloon went up?

[Eleanor]

This is all such nasty rubbish, and implies if not actually states things that are simply not true.  The McCann children were not abandoned or neglected.  They were left alone for brief periods under circumstances that are acceptable to The Law both in Portugal and Britain.  And practiced in the past by many, many parents.
The McCanns will never be charged with any offence concerning their child care arrangements.  This is a fact.

[CPN]

This is all such nasty rubbish, and implies if not actually states things that are simply not true.  The McCann children were not abandoned or neglected.  They were left alone for brief periods under circumstances that are acceptable to The Law both in Portugal and Britain.  And practiced in the past by many, many parents.
The McCanns will never be charged with any offence concerning their child care arrangements.  This is a fact.

We simply have a difference of opinion here, Eleanor.   You find this discussion rubbish; I find the rest of your post rubbish.  I base my opinion on many, many years working with children, both in the UK and internationally, including having three sister in care who were removed from their parents under very similar circumstances.  I do not know what you base your opinion on. 

You are probably right that the McCanns will never be charged with any offence concerning their child care arrangements;  that does not mean that no action has been taken, again as I have pointed out many times.  On that point, again, I speak from experience

[Angelo222]

This is all such nasty rubbish, and implies if not actually states things that are simply not true.  The McCann children were not abandoned or neglected.  They were left alone for brief periods under circumstances that are acceptable to The Law both in Portugal and Britain.  And practiced in the past by many, many parents.
The McCanns will never be charged with any offence concerning their child care arrangements.  This is a fact.

So you disagree with Mrs Healey then?

Maybe Social Services attended them just for the hell of it?

[Eleanor]

So you disagree with Mrs Healey then?

Maybe Social Services attended them just for the hell of it?

What Mrs. Healy said was said in the heat of the moment and before she knew the full circumstances.  If in fact she said what she is reported to have said.

It has been pointed out that mine is only an opinion, as it is of everyone else.  Their decision was not illegal.

No one knows the circumstances and conclusions of The Social Services.  And do you seriously believe that The McCanns don't regret what happened?  So what is the purpose of tearing them to shreds yet again?

[CPN]

No one knows the circumstances and conclusions of The Social Services. And do you seriously believe that The McCanns don't regret what happened?  So what is the purpose of tearing them to shreds yet again?

Agreed.  So could you tell Sadie that, please - "As you well know, Social Services (have I got the right department?) investigated them and found them good parents." she says

Yes, I do think they regret it. But the reason for repeating the points made is that they constantly make excuses  - even, most recently, before the Crimewatch programme.  While they continue do that, I will continue to disagree and try and send out a message that leaving young children alone is NOT acceptable   

[Estuarine]

Agreed.  So could you tell Sadie that, please - "As you well know, Social Services (have I got the right department?) investigated them and found them good parents." she says

Yes, I do think they regret it. But the reason for repeating the points made is that they constantly make excuses  - even, most recently, before the Crimewatch programme.  While they continue do that, I will continue to disagree and try and send out a message that leaving young children alone is NOT acceptable

I agree totally. I find it disturbing that ANY GP who may sit on a secret panel which determines the fate of someone elses child should think for them (that GP) flying in the face of the best practice laid down is acceptable.

[Eleanor]

Agreed.  So could you tell Sadie that, please - "As you well know, Social Services (have I got the right department?) investigated them and found them good parents." she says

Yes, I do think they regret it. But the reason for repeating the points made is that they constantly make excuses  - even, most recently, before the Crimewatch programme.  While they continue do that, I will continue to disagree and try and send out a message that leaving young children alone is NOT acceptable

Then you must be preaching to the truly insane.

[CPN]

Then you must be preaching to the truly insane.

??????

[Estuarine]

??????

I am sure you have worked it out already but on here the number of people with whom you can have a rational debate can be counted on the thumbs of one hand.
It is fun to pop in occasionally and lob a flag in the pond just to see how far the ripples will go.
 

[Mr Gray]

I am sure you have worked it out already but on here the number of people with whom you can have a rational debate can be counted on the thumbs of one hand.
It is fun to pop in occasionally and lob a flag in the pond just to see how far the ripples will go.
 

So if someone disagrees with you , you feel debate is not possible...thats about it as far as I can see

[Mr Gray]

Kate and Gerry McCann did not commit one mistake - they repeated their deliberate decision night after night.  And they should both, as doctors, but especially Kate as a GP,  have known that children should not be left alone out of sight and hearing.  And if Kate had known of any parents on her GP's register doing this she would have been expected to report it to the authorities and attend subsequent case conferences.  This is why I find their behaviour particularly inexplicable and unforgivable.  And Madeleine is the victim, no-one else.

Your post is wrong on so many counts...but here is one...do you feel none of the mcccann family are victims too

[Mr Gray]

I agree totally. I find it disturbing that ANY GP who may sit on a secret panel which determines the fate of someone elses child should think for them (that GP) flying in the face of the best practice laid down is acceptable.

First the guidelines you quote are guidelines...not best practice...

[Mr Gray]

Agreed.  So could you tell Sadie that, please - "As you well know, Social Services (have I got the right department?) investigated them and found them good parents." she says

Yes, I do think they regret it. But the reason for repeating the points made is that they constantly make excuses  - even, most recently, before the Crimewatch programme.  While they continue do that, I will continue to disagree and try and send out a message that leaving young children alone is NOT acceptable

perhaps you should get in touch with social services and tell them they should act against all the hotels promoting baby listening services...let us know what their reply is...

[Estuarine]

First the guidelines you quote are guidelines...not best practice...

It is fun to pop in occasionally and lob a flag in the pond just to see how far the ripples will go.