What would you do if this was your child?

[Captain Zissou]

That is such a strong baby.  I watched most of the video and that woman tortured the baby.  Full on inhumane torture.  I hope the baby is ok and will not suffer anything long term from this abuse. As for the woman, I would love to see her dismembered, but I'm sure a life sentence is the best we can hope for.  Usually those sorts of things find a way of working themselves out on the prison yard.

[uptowngirl]

uptowngirl, because it is 2010 doesn't make it natural (and I stress natural) or okay for a woman to drop her newborn and turn around and head out to the workforce regardless of the economic realities of 2010. The problem is not so much the need to have two paychecks in the home as having babies for the pleasure of the moment without any serious forethought as to how they will be cared for. And that goes for both. Some women like to yell "chauvinist" when they should be yelling "vive la difference".

Remember, the baby that was beaten by this stranger is only 5 months old.

Yes, and how does all the blame fall on the mother? I think it is just wrong for ya'll to blame mothers for care or in this case the bad care a child gets. What if both parents are women? What is both parents are men? What if the mother makes more and the father stays home? Why does the father not take some heat for chasing HIS career instead of staying home and ensuring his childs saftey. This incident is horrible, tragic, and you are correct avoidable, but blaming the mother straight out is not only sexist it is obnoxious.  My thoughts and prayers are with the family, I am sure all of them are upset, angry, and blaming themselves enough as is.

[Cricket]

[
Yes, and how does all the blame fall on the mother? I think it is just wrong for ya'll to blame mothers for care or in this case the bad care a child gets. What if both parents are women? What is both parents are men? What if the mother makes more and the father stays home? Why does the father not take some heat for chasing HIS career instead of staying home and ensuring his childs saftey. This incident is horrible, tragic, and you are correct avoidable, but blaming the mother straight out is not only sexist it is obnoxious.  My thoughts and prayers are with the family, I am sure all of them are upset, angry, and blaming themselves enough as is.

You can say I am sexist or anything else. You carried the little creature for 9 months (I don't mean you personally), the least you could do is stick around for a few more. All I am saying is that parents should plan ahead so that chasing a career doesn't take priority over the baby's welfare. No problem with dad staying home or family to take care of the baby but that too is almost always an afterthought after the baby is born.

[Dog Walker]

The REALLY scary thing is that a lot of mothers and fathers treat their children the same way this baby sitter did.  Has nothing to do with who is taking care of the child or why, but how the child is treated.  Period.

Luckily, babies are tough.  They have rubbery bones and this young the child won't remember anything.

Might give him a lifelong fear of fat blonds though, which would not be a bad thing.

[buckethead]

Yes, and how does all the blame fall on the mother? I think it is just wrong for ya'll to blame mothers for care or in this case the bad care a child gets. What if both parents are women? What is both parents are men? What if the mother makes more and the father stays home? Why does the father not take some heat for chasing HIS career instead of staying home and ensuring his childs saftey. This incident is horrible, tragic, and you are correct avoidable, but blaming the mother straight out is not only sexist it is obnoxious.  My thoughts and prayers are with the family, I am sure all of them are upset, angry, and blaming themselves enough as is.

I would not place the blame for this abuse on the mother. The Mom paid for a service and was swindled.

This is her worst nightmare. The fault lies with the child abuser. That said, I will not leave my children with paid caretakers.

I also believe that a child suffers to some degree when the mother is a career person. To what degree is debatable. Every choice we make has consequences (good, bad and indifferent)

[Shwaz]

Made it 2 seconds... seeing the baby swung by the arm was enough. I can't imagine the parents reaction... wonder if they considered ultra violence before going to the police?

[buckethead]

I did not click the link.

[Cliffs_Daughter]

For most parents it's a very hard decision having your child cared for by someone else, and then tougher to decide who will be the one to care for him. Whether or not you're paying someone, there is a great leap of faith needed to trust your baby with someone else. It doesn't matter if you're doing it at 6 weeks post-partum to return to the workforce or a few years down the road - the reasons can vary, but the anxiety is much the same. (note I said 'most', as I can't speak for anyone who may be out of touch with reality or maternal/paternal instinct)

And I wouldn't necessarily exempt 'unpaid' familial caretakers from this - potential for abuse can be anywhere.

[Cliffs_Daughter]

Made it 2 seconds... seeing the baby swung by the arm was enough. I can't imagine the parents reaction... wonder if they considered ultra violence before going to the police?

Oh yeah. Dread the thought, but if my husband was involved the police would've been called, but likely by the other party.

[samiam]

The REALLY scary thing is that a lot of mothers and fathers treat their children the same way this baby sitter did.  Has nothing to do with who is taking care of the child or why, but how the child is treated.  Period.

Luckily, babies are tough.  They have rubbery bones and this young the child won't remember anything.

Might give him a lifelong fear of fat blonds though, which would not be a bad thing.

So that's what happened to me. I have the same problem