Getting riled about this more and more.

[Goodsoulette]

I have recently dumped all my kids old clothes on freecycle. Which is great but when I went to pick up the kids from school the other day, I noticed one of the kids who is 5 but small for his age, about the size of a three year old, in a coat that was to big for him and trousersthat were way to small. I think they were pyjama bottoms for maybe 12- 18 months.

So I Went home rumaged through the cupboards again and then asked my neighbour and between us we got together a bin liners worth of clothes.

I gave them to his mum and she was so grateful she was crying. She has had a lot of problems both kids have had serious health problems and her baby died last year but I cant help but think this is all related to er alcoholism. When I gave her the clothes she had sick in her hair, she stinks of alcohol at 9 am. Her other half works so the kids should have clothes. Ffs a pair of trousers i primark are no more than 3 quid sometimes 50p. So Im guessing all their money goes on alcohol and fags.


Is this child abuse or not! Im dying to say something to someone because I cant believe its right. I know her eldest children live with their dad.

[B00]

You've done it once again Legend- Myself, Pasta and Max said we all sympathised with the woman.

[Skreecheeboy]

What about asking the kids teacher to do something about it? They're trained to deal with child protection issues and have good working relationships with social services. It'll get the weight off your back and at least other people will be aware of her problems.

[cazzz1975]

also, whilst she has had a loss, there is nothing more you can do in that situation other than offer advice and bereavment councilling, the important thing is to ensure that the family get back on track (her alcohol problem dealt with and her remaining childrens welfare)

people care about her loss legend, but its pointless dwelling on it, its important to get the help for herself and her kids, which unfortunately may mean shopping her to social services for her own good

[Skreecheeboy]

That's absolute nonsense about the nits GS, I've had nits 4 or 5 times when I was wee and my hair was curly as fcuk, still is actually!

[dolly pond]

i had awful nits, as my hair was knee length, really thick and loads of it! my mam spent hrs nit combing my hair

i would speak to the school, dont get emotionally involved, think of yourself and your own kids first, and just be there for her if she comes to you. the school will help, and u will feel better.

u must feel full of upset, but u r clearly a good woman for caring in the first place. xx

[natalie_1982]

As an aside, I am white and have curly hair and have had nits as a youngster. My neice however is mixed raced (white mum, afro-caribbean dad) and she apparently is unlikely to get nits because of the natural oil in her hair the nits find it hard to get the eggs to stick.

[amonty1144]

I would advise you to contact social services, there are a lot of levels intervention and they may offer help, guidance, money, help with the alcohol, they don't always snatch kids. You don't have to leave your name, if you don't want to.You've done a good thing but leave it to someone else to get further in to the family. Just rememebr if one day, she doesn't want your help, you're seeing her at the school gate everyday.
Teachers are trained in child protection but unless it's serious they don't pass it on, unless its 5 to 5 on a friday of course.

Nice to see that you care though, there's a lot wouldn't bother.

[Goodsoulette]

Nah, its not head lice prefer hair with an ovid(?) cross section. They can cling to it and move about on it better. Whilst lice in africa have adapted, her in the uk they have other options, so its less common for people with curly or afro hair to get head lice. They are on and off again. Although the african type headlice can be found here its just not as common. Also as a curly girly my hair has always been saturated in hair products and conditioners so this make the hair difficult to cling to. Even as a kid mum would give my hair a hot oil at least once a week.