unsinkable Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 (edited) Your son is playing in the yard. He comes in the house and says a teenage girl is sick on the front lawn and needs to use your phone to call her parents. What do you do? Give your son the phone to take to the girl? Go see what is going on with the girl yourself? Other? I don't want to lead the witnesses (ha-ha). I'll post what happened after a few responses. UPDATE if you're curious in post #18. Edited August 10, 2011 by unsinkable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k2bdeutmeyer Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I would walk out there with him and speak to the girl before handing over the phone. And even then, I would stand there with her/the phone until she was done using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I would take my cell phone out to check on her and offer to let her use the phone. Why wouldn't I? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I would walk out there with him and speak to the girl before handing over the phone. And even then, I would stand there with her/the phone until she was done using it. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I would have him show me where she was and then tell him to stay inside and I would deal with the girl/help her call for help. No knowing what is going on with her, or if she is really actually sick, it could be a ruse kwim. So as the adult I would deal with it and tell him to stay inside with the rest of the kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gailmegan Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I would go out with our house phone (cordless) and see if she is okay and offer to let her use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I'd go out and talk to the girl, and make the phone call for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.m Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I would offer to call the girl's parents for her if something was really wrong. I could see a teenager running off with my smart phone. (no land line) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RahRah Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I'd go and check on her, see if she's okay and make the call or let her make the call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I would offer to call the girl's parents for her if something was really wrong. I could see a teenager running off with my smart phone. (no land line) We have a cordless phone - it only works for a short distance from the base so it wouldn't do anyone any good to run off with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 First I'd check and make sure an ambulance didn't need to be called, then I'd make the call for her and if the proper person was reached and I had spoken to them, let her use the phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionfamily1999 Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Send kiddos into the house (and have them lock the door, because I'm a little paranoid like that) and then head out to her with my phone in pocket. I would offer to make the call... I really don't like the idea of sharing a mouthpiece with someone that's sick :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Take out the phone... check for what's needed next. Tell my kids to watch from inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Okay unsinkable, what did you do? We are leaving for a parade and little fair in the next 8 minutes and I want to know before that :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Sorry, I'm highly suspicious by nature and would not approach the girl. I'd keep dd inside and keep watch through the windows. If it appeared she was having a medical emergency I'd call 911. No way would I approach her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I'd go out and check on her, taking the phone with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted August 10, 2011 Author Share Posted August 10, 2011 OK -- my DD was the sick girl. She is fine. I think she had a small seizure based on what happened.* She was walking the dog and started to feel badly (seizure aura?). She saw the boy and said she wasn't feeling good. She asked if he had a phone she could use to call us. He said he had to ask his mom but then brought the phone out to her. She called us. I drove over and got her. As I pulled up, she was sitting on the lawn, slumped over, holding her head in her hands. She was all alone. I got out and helped her to the car. There were 3 cars in the driveway of the house. I wanted to get her home so I just put her in the car and left. As I was pulling away, DD said, "there's the boy." He was standing in the door so I waved and yelled out thank you. I got her home. *She said she was exhausted. I put her to bed and she woke up a few hours later with a headache. This is why I think she had a seizure because this is what usually happens after she has one. So even tho' I didn't see the seizure, I think it happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaAkins Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I would have gone out with my phone to see what was wrong with the girl. I would dial the number myself and speak with them to let them know where their sick child was and what was wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I would walk out there with him and speak to the girl before handing over the phone. And even then, I would stand there with her/the phone until she was done using it. This. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 OK -- my DD was the sick girl. She is fine. I think she had a small seizure based on what happened.* She was walking the dog and started to feel badly (seizure aura?). She saw the boy and said she wasn't feeling good. She asked if he had a phone she could use to call us. He said he had to ask his mom but then brought the phone out to her. She called us. I drove over and got her. As I pulled up, she was sitting on the lawn, slumped over, holding her head in her hands. She was all alone. I got out and helped her to the car. There were 3 cars in the driveway of the house. I wanted to get her home so I just put her in the car and left. As I was pulling away, DD said, "there's the boy." He was standing in the door so I waved and yelled out thank you. I got her home. *She said she was exhausted. I put her to bed and she woke up a few hours later with a headache. This is why I think she had a seizure because this is what usually happens after she has one. So even tho' I didn't see the seizure, I think it happened. Oh, poor kid :( I'm pretty suspicious too, but in broad daylight, I'd leave my son in the house and go out and see what was going on. I can't believe the mom just let her son come back out alone with the phone with no concern for your daughter or for HIM! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 So glad your dd is okay. It is unfortunate that none of the adults in teh home tried to help her though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted August 10, 2011 Author Share Posted August 10, 2011 I am happy DD is OK. I am so grateful the boy gave her the phone and she was able to call me. My heart was in my throat when I pulled up and saw her all alone. It just scared me and made me so sad that she was sick and alone. The dog was curled up next to her, though. I'm glad she had him, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionfamily1999 Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 OK -- my DD was the sick girl. She is fine. I think she had a small seizure based on what happened.* She was walking the dog and started to feel badly (seizure aura?). She saw the boy and said she wasn't feeling good. She asked if he had a phone she could use to call us. He said he had to ask his mom but then brought the phone out to her. She called us. I drove over and got her. As I pulled up, she was sitting on the lawn, slumped over, holding her head in her hands. She was all alone. I got out and helped her to the car. There were 3 cars in the driveway of the house. I wanted to get her home so I just put her in the car and left. As I was pulling away, DD said, "there's the boy." He was standing in the door so I waved and yelled out thank you. I got her home. *She said she was exhausted. I put her to bed and she woke up a few hours later with a headache. This is why I think she had a seizure because this is what usually happens after she has one. So even tho' I didn't see the seizure, I think it happened. :grouphug: Oh, poor kid :( I'm pretty suspicious too, but in broad daylight, I'd leave my son in the house and go out and see what was going on. I can't believe the mom just let her son come back out alone with the phone with no concern for your daughter or for HIM! You never know, Mom could've been in the shower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingnlearning Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Unsinkable, you answered before I had a chance to say what I would have done, but let me assure you that had your daughter been in my yard I would have been outside immediately with the phone to help her and I would not have left her alone out there until you arrived. I hate to think of her sitting out there alone! It's sad to me that caution overshadows compassion sometimes. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I forgot to mention that if dh had been home he would have gone out to help. He's an RN and would not have left her alone. If he had not been home, I would have gone out with the phone and wouldn't have left her alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Before reading other responses-I would go check on the girl myself, taking my phone with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted August 10, 2011 Author Share Posted August 10, 2011 There is a chance no one else in this boy's family knew she was out there. I am assuming since he told DD that he had to ask his mom if DD could use the phone, he really did ask his mom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfunnybunch Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I would definitely go see what was happening myself, leaving the child inside until I figured out what was going on. I'd take the phone with me so that I could a) help her call for help, b) call 911 and/or c) so that the phone wouldn't get stolen if it was a scam. Just read the update. If she'd been in my yard, I'd likely have called you myself and sat with her until you arrived. I wonder if the boy's mom wasn't really home. Even with the cars in the drive, she could have walked or ridden a bike somewhere, or maybe she didn't realize what was happening. I can't imagine leaving a sick stranger sitting alone. :grouphug: I'm sorry that happened. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 :grouphug: You never know, Mom could've been in the shower. As in, he didn't get a chance to ask her, just came out with the phone? Good point, and I can totally see that. I was assuming that he found her and asked her, wherever she was. If you meant that maybe she didn't come out when he asked he because she happened to be in the shower, personally, nothing gets me out the shower faster than the safety of a child--my own or someone else's--so I would still have a problem with that. Not that how I feel about it matters, of course! But if I were the mom in question and my son brought the situation to my attention, I'd be out there no matter what I was doing. At a bare minimum, from a practical perspective, if some poor child collapses on your front lawn, there's a liability issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 There is a chance no one else in this boy's family knew she was out there. I am assuming since he told DD that he had to ask his mom if DD could use the phone, he really did ask his mom. Yeah BUT even if he asked, did he say, "OMG there's a sick chick laying on our curb asking for the phone to call her mom!" Or did he come in and say, "Can I use the phone?" Young boys can be crazy unconcerned about what moms view with obvious conern. :) I would have ran out phone in hand predialed for 911 just in case. But many people are scared of sick people ime. They think drugs, mental illness, or criminals before they think it might just be an average normal person having a crappy day. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted August 10, 2011 Author Share Posted August 10, 2011 Yeah BUT even if he asked, did he say, "OMG there's a sick chick laying on our curb asking for the phone to call her mom!" Or did he come in and say, "Can I use the phone?" Young boys can be crazy unconcerned about what moms view with obvious conern. :) I would have ran out phone in hand predialed for 911 just in case. But many people are scared of sick people ime. They think drugs, mental illness, or criminals before they think it might just be an average normal person having a crappy day. :( Right. There are so many variables to what could have been happening in their home. I am grateful the boy did enough to allow me to get DD home safely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanceXToo Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Wow, hope she's okay now. I would have walked out to the girl, checked on her/spoke with her, let her use my cell phone (we don't have a landline/portable phone), and then if I knew someone was coming to get her, I'd have stayed with her, sitting on the front steps/porch, whatever, offered her a glass of water, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticmom Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I am sure your dog is well trained but I would be cautious due to the presence of the dog. Our dogs get much more protective if they sense that something is wrong with their person. Also some people are afraid of dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 :iagree::iagree::iagree: I would walk out there with him and speak to the girl before handing over the phone. And even then, I would stand there with her/the phone until she was done using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjins Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Send kiddos into the house (and have them lock the door, because I'm a little paranoid like that) and then head out to her with my phone in pocket. I would offer to make the call... I really don't like the idea of sharing a mouthpiece with someone that's sick :p :iagree: Glad I am not the first one to say this. This is exactly what I would do! Maybe put phone on speaker if parents wanted to speak to her. Would not have thought about phone being ran off with... good point! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Oh dear! I hope that maybe he was home alone (in spite of the cars) or didn't actually ask because I'd hate to think a grown up didn't respond to a child in need. My younger son came home once before he had a cell phone and got mine so that a girl he vaguely knew could use it to call her mom. Her bus dropped her off in our neighborhood, near our home. She used to live here, but they had moved and the the only person she really knew was not home when she knocked. Her cell phone was dead and apparently the bus had experienced some trouble and dropped the kids off late or something (still not sure why the mom wasn't there). Anyway, sorry for the garble, but he found her sitting on the curb of the main boulevard crying. She couldn't call her parents. So he got a phone for her and then sat with her until her mom came. I was kept well apprised of what was occurring and she could have come in my house if it had been cold, dark, rainy, or if she had been sick, certainly.... I would expect any middle school aged child to be able to make such judgment calls on their own. I wonder if this child was younger? or afraid of the dog, perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionfamily1999 Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 There is a chance no one else in this boy's family knew she was out there. I am assuming since he told DD that he had to ask his mom if DD could use the phone, he really did ask his mom. I wonder how he asked his mom... Ah kids. I can remember asking my mom stuff while she was taking a nap :p it was a sure fire way to get a 'yes.' I would definitely go see what was happening myself, leaving the child inside until I figured out what was going on. I'd take the phone with me so that I could a) help her call for help, b) call 911 and/or c) so that the phone wouldn't get stolen if it was a scam. Just read the update. If she'd been in my yard, I'd likely have called you myself and sat with her until you arrived. I wonder if the boy's mom wasn't really home. Even with the cars in the drive, she could have walked or ridden a bike somewhere, or maybe she didn't realize what was happening. I can't imagine leaving a sick stranger sitting alone. :grouphug: I'm sorry that happened. Cat Good point. He could've been home alone and following orders (never tell them you're home alone, always pretend an adult is there). As in, he didn't get a chance to ask her, just came out with the phone? Good point, and I can totally see that. I was assuming that he found her and asked her, wherever she was. If you meant that maybe she didn't come out when he asked he because she happened to be in the shower, personally, nothing gets me out the shower faster than the safety of a child--my own or someone else's--so I would still have a problem with that. Not that how I feel about it matters, of course! But if I were the mom in question and my son brought the situation to my attention, I'd be out there no matter what I was doing. At a bare minimum, from a practical perspective, if some poor child collapses on your front lawn, there's a liability issue. :shrug: I don't know what was going on in that house, for all I know she was doing the penguin after a failed waxing attempt :lol: I just think judging the parent or theoretical adult that may or may not have been at home is a little premature, since we don't know anything beyond there was a boy that mentioned his mother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Your son is playing in the yard. He comes in the house and says a teenage girl is sick on the front lawn and needs to use your phone to call her parents. What do you do? Give your son the phone to take to the girl? Go see what is going on with the girl yourself? Other? I don't want to lead the witnesses (ha-ha). I'll post what happened after a few responses. UPDATE if you're curious in post #18. Take my cell phone out to see what is going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I'd go out there, with the phone, to see if the girl was ok, and how I could help. If I didn't have cell phone for some reason I'd go see how she was, then let her in to use the phone if need be. I'd definitely check on it myself, in this heat she could have heat stroke, or something very serious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntPol Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I would have walked the phone out myself. If I was scared of a dog, I wouldn't send my child out with a phone to give to some random teen child. However, I could see my son come in and just ask to use the phone w/ saying "why". Since my son never uses the phone then that in itself would arouse suspicicion. If he used it as often as my DD then it wouldn't raise any eyebrows (but she would have came in with a dramatic flourish that someone was dying on our lawn). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I am happy DD is OK. I am so grateful the boy gave her the phone and she was able to call me. My heart was in my throat when I pulled up and saw her all alone. It just scared me and made me so sad that she was sick and alone. The dog was curled up next to her, though. I'm glad she had him, too. To be fair, the boy might not have even mentioned the situation to his mom. He might have just run in, gotten the phone, then brought it out. the adults could be totally oblivious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I would have gone out with my phone to see what was wrong with the girl. I would dial the number myself and speak with them to let them know where their sick child was and what was wrong. This. And, I'd have stayed with her until her parents had arrived. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Go see what is going on myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 (edited) Unsinkable, you answered before I had a chance to say what I would have done, but let me assure you that had your daughter been in my yard I would have been outside immediately with the phone to help her and I would not have left her alone out there until you arrived. I hate to think of her sitting out there alone! It's sad to me that caution overshadows compassion sometimes. :( You know, it really depends on one's life experience and quite possibly on nothing more than the neighborhood one lives in. Also there are other factors that come into play. What type of "sick" did the op mean? Many thought vomiting since that was the only description the OP made of the illness. A person alone having a seizure is totally different than some random teenager puking up breakfast in one's yard. In my case, and I'll admit my reply of what I'd do in that position is cold and not compassionate, I'm a lone unarmed woman with a child in an area that if I were to call for help because the sick teen was a ploy to get me out of the house, there would be no help coming. Admittedly it is sad that the OP's daughter had no one with her while she was ill. But only working with the details given in post #1, caution overrides compassion for me every time. How many people would say how stupid or idiotic it was for the OP to go check on the teen if the OP's story was that there was some sick teen girl in the yard and when she went out to see about it she got jumped and her kid kidnapped or raped? Honestly we'd all commiserate and be full of sympathy and prayers but many of us would be wondering what kind of person leaves their child unprotected. Edited August 10, 2011 by Parrothead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalypso Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Unsinkable, you answered before I had a chance to say what I would have done, but let me assure you that had your daughter been in my yard I would have been outside immediately with the phone to help her and I would not have left her alone out there until you arrived. I hate to think of her sitting out there alone! It's sad to me that caution overshadows compassion sometimes. :( This is exactly how I would have handled it. Assuming the adult in the house was not in the shower or unable to come outside for some reason, all I could think after reading your update was, "What is wrong with people these days??" I'm glad your daughter is okay.:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingnlearning Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 You know, it really depends on one's life experience and quite possibly on nothing more than the neighborhood one lives in. Also there are other factors that come into play. What type of "sick" did the op mean? Many thought vomiting since that was the only description the OP made of the illness. A person alone having a seizure is totally different than some random teenager puking up breakfast in one's yard. In my case, and I'll admit my reply of what I'd do in that position is cold and not compassionate, I'm a lone unarmed woman with a child in an area that if I were to call for help because the sick teen was a ploy to get me out of the house, there would be no help coming. Admittedly it is sad that the OP's daughter had no one with her while she was ill. But only working with the details given in post #1, caution overrides compassion for me every time. How many people would say how stupid or idiotic it was for the OP to go check on the teen if the OP's story was that there was some sick teen girl in the yard and when she went out to see about it she got jumped and her kid kidnapped or raped? Honestly we'd all commiserate and be full of sympathy and prayers but many of us would be wondering what kind of person leaves their child unprotected. I didn't qualify my statement-no matter what the circumstances or how valid the reasons, I find it sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 :iagree: I'd go out and talk to the girl, and make the phone call for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I can't ever move. The neighbor stories I've heard here make me sick. I can't even imagine not checking on a sick neighbor child out on your lawn. I'd like to think the boy didn't say the child was sick and the mother was being trusting and generous by sending the phone outside with the son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionfamily1999 Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 You know, it really depends on one's life experience and quite possibly on nothing more than the neighborhood one lives in. Also there are other factors that come into play. What type of "sick" did the op mean? Many thought vomiting since that was the only description the OP made of the illness. A person alone having a seizure is totally different than some random teenager puking up breakfast in one's yard. In my case, and I'll admit my reply of what I'd do in that position is cold and not compassionate, I'm a lone unarmed woman with a child in an area that if I were to call for help because the sick teen was a ploy to get me out of the house, there would be no help coming. Admittedly it is sad that the OP's daughter had no one with her while she was ill. But only working with the details given in post #1, caution overrides compassion for me every time. How many people would say how stupid or idiotic it was for the OP to go check on the teen if the OP's story was that there was some sick teen girl in the yard and when she went out to see about it she got jumped and her kid kidnapped or raped? Honestly we'd all commiserate and be full of sympathy and prayers but many of us would be wondering what kind of person leaves their child unprotected. :iagree: My first thought was vomiting, that's why I said I would call (because I do not want my phone smelling like puke). The reasons you give are also why I would tell my kids to lock the doors. I'm willing to risk my own life and limb, but not theirs. As far as why the boy went out alone... I still say that there's no evidence some adult was too lazy/careless/cruel to go out. We are to assume the sick teen has everyone's best interest at heart, but not the illusive adult we don't even know exists? Hm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I would walk out there with him and speak to the girl before handing over the phone. And even then, I would stand there with her/the phone until she was done using it. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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