I have been debating over I should report this or not. I have a cousin who is 10 years old and he is really hard to control. The reason why he is hard to control is his parents go divorced. Well anyways his mom always locks him in the bathroom when she can't do anything with him. What should I do?

Well, I don't think being locked in the bathroom is really that bad. I mean, I was always locked in the bathroom myself when I was younger.

However, I think you should definitely report it. It could really affect your cousin physically and/or mentally in the future if something's not done about it.

i agree with jenny. you should report it just to be safe. you may even prevent abuse. don't take that the wrong way...i'm not saying that she's capable of abuse, but, you never know.

I saw an ad for preventing child abuse and neglect the other day. It said that it's not just about reporting abuse, it's about preventing it before it happens. I would hate to be a snitch, but I would report it because it is against the law to not report child abuse.

OMG!!!:o that mom needs pimp slapped... that could REALLY effect him when he's older... c'mon, 'Mommie Dearest'...HELLO!!! report it!!! just today i watched a commercial. all it did was show a closet door, and the narrator said 'this might just be a place to hang your coat. but, to others, it where there parents teach them a lesson' or something like that. it was sad just to even see the closet. u should really report. what a cruel mother.:(

Well I dont think you should report it unless they are starving him or something. I mean If the kid acts real bad he deserves to be punished.

Originally posted by Buffy&Angelique
OMG!!!:o that mom needs pimp slapped... that could REALLY effect him when he's older... c'mon, 'Mommie Dearest'...HELLO!!! report it!!! just today i watched a commercial. all it did was show a closet door, and the narrator said 'this might just be a place to hang your coat. but, to others, it where there parents teach them a lesson' or something like that. it was sad just to even see the closet. u should really report. what a cruel mother.:(

I think that was the ad I was referring to.

Originally posted by MaRtInA_GuRL
Well I dont think you should report it unless they are starving him or something. I mean If the kid acts real bad he deserves to be punished.

but, locked in a bathroom?? gimme a break!

yeah, report it! There's a woman down where my grandmother lives and she has two little girls and won't let them see their father and she treats them like crap, dosen't buy them clothes and won't let them have anything nice and she hardly feeds them they go to my cousins house and they feed them there. its a sin and I don't know why she hasn't been reported but they better do it soon.

Originally posted by Buffy&Angelique


but, locked in a bathroom?? gimme a break!

Yeah, I have to agree. You can't define child abuse with something like "unless they're starving him" or if he was being "really bad." Those things have a serious effect on a child. Especially such a young one. I'd report it.

Originally posted by britt britt
yeah, report it! There's a woman down where my grandmother lives and she has two little girls and won't let them see their father and she treats them like crap, dosen't buy them clothes and won't let them have anything nice and she hardly feeds them they go to my cousins house and they feed them there. its a sin and I don't know why she hasn't been reported but they better do it soon.

I'm not being obnoxious or rude, but you can't wait for someone else to report it because they're probably thinking the same thing. I think that if you notice it, you should report it. Even if you think someone else will do it, you cannot take a chance with child abuse.

Come on... being sent to the bathroom isn't extremely different from being sent to your room. As long as she's not beating her child and checks on him to make sure he's alright and doesn't leave him in there for hours, I don't think it's as terrible as you all are making it out to be. What, were none of you disciplined as children? I don't want to hear replies like, "Yes! I was disciplined! I was grounded once." ..nothing like that, please.

Hold (and hang up) the phone there. Unless this child is being locked up for hours upon end, then I don't think this is child abuse. As Lacey stated, kids are sent to their rooms all the time, and this is a room, not a closet.
Unless there are other examples you can cite, then I wouldn't report it. These things have a way of taking on a life of their own sometimes, and innocent parents often have their kids taken away from them while victims of a witch hunt.
You haven't convinced me that this is anything more than a "time-out"

I would Definetly Report it But thats Just Me

I think you have to trust your gut on this one. If you think that it is abuse, report it........you have to trust your instincts on this one just to be safe.

Meangya! Report her! Or, call his father and tell him about it. Locking a kid in a bathroom is no punishment!!

gee, janice. i feel sorry for ur kids when or if u have them... no kid should be tormented like that... yes, a bathroom IS a room...but not meant for a kid to sit in for doing wrong... it's for bathing and going #1 and #2!! and, u must be living in larg land, if u haven't noticed that bathrooms are incredibly small. in fact, both of the bathrooms in my home are the size of an average walk-in closet! being sent to ur room is different than the darn bathroom! i mean, bedroom aren't meant for going to... for living in...

Originally posted by ¤MsConanOBrien¤
Meangya! Report her! Or, call his father and tell him about it. Locking a kid in a bathroom is no punishment!!
Telling the father is a good option, but calling the authorities is extreme, in this case, to me anyway.
BTW, what does meangya mean?

Originally posted by ¤MsConanOBrien¤
Meangya! Report her! Or, call his father and tell him about it. Locking a kid in a bathroom is no punishment!!


I agree!!!!!

oh my god thats stupid. Report the child for being out of control, he is being punished cuz he deserves it he could just take a shower or masturbate its not really punishment. I wouldn't know what to do either if I had a crazy kid, thats why I used to behave to my parents. Bad kids pay the price.

REPORT IT! Thats really sad! If she locks the door, what if the kid kills himself in there? Or what if he gets hurt? Or what if a fire starts and the kid cant get out cuz the bathroom door is locked? I mean there are may possibilities and you should report.

Originally posted by Blair-Lisa#1Fan
Or what if he gets hurt?

she said he was 10 years old, not 2.

Do what you want but if I were you I wouldn't say anything if that's all it was. I doubt this would happen for something as minor as this, but he could be taken away from his mother, and I think being sent away from his mom would cause him more mental anguish than being in a locked bathroom for a short while. I know that even though my family disciplined me far worse than just being sent to a bathroom I wouldn't have wanted to be taken away from them and sent to stay with strangers.

Originally posted by Avril Lavigne


she said he was 10 years old, not 2.

water comes out of the faucets IN bathrooms... it can splash on floors... he might get thirsty, some might get on the floor... he could slip, hit his head on something... ss

Originally posted by Blair-Lisa#1Fan
REPORT IT! Thats really sad! If she locks the door, what if the kid kills himself in there? Or what if he gets hurt? Or what if a fire starts and the kid cant get out cuz the bathroom door is locked? I mean there are may possibilities and you should report.

those are some great points! i didn't even think of those.

Originally posted by Buffy&Angelique


water comes out of the faucets IN bathrooms... it can splash on floors... he might get thirsty, some might get on the floor... he could slip, hit his head on something... -- stupid slap


That could happen to anyone, adult or child, so by law thats not considered abuse most likely bad kids get punished and it's just another form of punishment. Watch who you call stupid too, you seem to be the idiot.

Originally posted by Blair-Lisa#1Fan
REPORT IT! Thats really sad! If she locks the door, what if the kid kills himself in there? Or what if he gets hurt? Or what if a fire starts and the kid cant get out cuz the bathroom door is locked? I mean there are may possibilities and you should report.

He could get hurt just as easily if he were in his own room. "Oh no!! Can't leave him alone at night cause he might kill himself!" The door would have to lock from the outside. I don't think he'd be in any immediate danger unless the lock somehow mysteriously becomes stuck and nobody can break down the door. He could just as easily lock himself in his own room.

Originally posted by Avril Lavigne



That could happen to anyone, adult or child, so by law thats not considered abuse most likely bad kids get punished and it's just another form of punishment. Watch who you call stupid too, you seem to be the idiot.

Wow.. for the first time.. like, ever... I actually agree with you Avril. You made a great point.

To whoever was mentioning those crazy circumstances: That stuff could happen to any kid (or anyone, for that matter) while they were eating in the kitchen. I guess when I'm a parent I can't leave them alone in the kitchen cause they might get thirsty and turn on the faucet and the room floods and he dies.

Originally posted by laceyinthesky


Wow.. for the first time.. like, ever... I actually agree with you Avril. You made a great point.


lol thanks. Some people just seem to be idiots here by saying things that don't make sense...

Originally posted by laceyinthesky

To whoever was mentioning those crazy circumstances: That stuff could happen to any kid (or anyone, for that matter) while they were eating in the kitchen. I guess when I'm a parent I can't leave them alone in the kitchen cause they might get thirsty and turn on the faucet and the room floods and he dies.

Yep, like I said those other people brought up stupid points. Or maybe the kid is left in the kitchen and plays with the stove... or maybe in the kitchen the kid stabs himself with a knife... or mabye in the kitchen the kid drops boiling water, slips, and hits their head on the dinner table. lol...

Originally posted by Buffy&Angelique
gee, janice. i feel sorry for ur kids when or if u have them... no kid should be tormented like that... yes, a bathroom IS a room...but not meant for a kid to sit in for doing wrong... it's for bathing and going #1 and #2!! and, u must be living in larg land, if u haven't noticed that bathrooms are incredibly small. in fact, both of the bathrooms in my home are the size of an average walk-in closet! being sent to ur room is different than the darn bathroom! i mean, bedroom aren't meant for going to... for living in...
Don't feel sorry for me. The children in my life are treated like royalty. It's alarmists, drama queens and dime-droppers like you that deserve pity.
If the 10-year brat is raising holy hell, a short stay in a bathroom won't kill him.
And yes, since you mentioned it, both of the bathrooms in my home are spacious and beautiful.

Originally posted by laceyinthesky
I guess when I'm a parent I can't leave them alone in the kitchen cause they might get thirsty and turn on the faucet and the room floods and he dies.
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Well its not like anyone would take the kid away for that anyways, i just think that u should report the person and see what they have to say about it.

If it's for short amount of times, it's not abuse. However...WHY isn't he going to his room instead?? NEwayz...as long as it's reasonable then it's not abuse.

Who could form a responsible opinion based on the information you've provided us. My first feeling is that you're being reactive and maybe overlydramatic. Accusing someone of child abuse is a serious matter. Trying to decide whether or not to turn them in by providing people on a message board with the second or third hand information you've provided us is irresponsible. If you're debating and stressing about this you should get more information and talk to someone in person. Someone who you feel you can trust the judgement of. I wouldn't take part from this far removed distance in what could turn out to be a witch hunt.

Definitily don't report it. I believe authorities are going to want more substancial proof also. I say you're asking for a lot of trouble by getting involved in situations like that with family.



edited because I changed my opinion from do whatever you want to don't do it all.

Originally posted by Avril Lavigne
he could just take a shower or masturbate its not really punishment.

:lol: you crack me up sometimes

Also, it seems to me that you're more excited to get the mom in trouble than to actually help the kid.

I think, for the time being and having taken a second look at your first post, don't worry about it. If it gets to the point where the mother hits him or physically hurts him, whether or not it's a punishment, that is abuse, plain and simple. That would be the time to have the authorities intervene.

Originally posted by Janice

Telling the father is a good option, but calling the authorities is extreme, in this case, to me anyway.
BTW, what does meangya mean?
Either **** or penis. I forget.:crazy:

Originally posted by ¤MsConanOBrien¤

Either **** or penis. I forget.:crazy:
:lol:

Originally posted by laceyinthesky
Do what you want but if I were you I wouldn't say anything if that's all it was. I doubt this would happen for something as minor as this, but he could be taken away from his mother, and I think being sent away from his mom would cause him more mental anguish than being in a locked bathroom for a short while. I know that even though my family disciplined me far worse than just being sent to a bathroom I wouldn't have wanted to be taken away from them and sent to stay with strangers. You made some very good points there. I take back what I said before. I think you should not report it, unless conditions get too severe.

- If you think about it, it could be worse. For example, being locked up in the bathroom is really not as bad as being tied on a leash to the attic window, you know.

Originally posted by Avril Lavigne



That could happen to anyone, adult or child, so by law thats not considered abuse most likely bad kids get punished and it's just another form of punishment. Watch who you call stupid too, you seem to be the idiot.

I didn't call u stupid (u know what it's all about anyways. it's something friendly, so don't even go there)...

Originally posted by Ewan's My Man
If it's for short amount of times, it's not abuse. However...WHY isn't he going to his room instead?? NEwayz...as long as it's reasonable then it's not abuse. Maybe the household does not have any other room? It's how it is in the apt I'm living in now. We have four people sharing a dingy bedroom, with no lock. We also don't have any closets with locks... so the bathroom is really the only option, in this case.

Originally posted by Janice

Don't feel sorry for me. The children in my life are treated like royalty. It's alarmists, drama queens and dime-droppers like you that deserve pity.
If the 10-year brat is raising holy hell, a short stay in a bathroom won't kill him.
And yes, since you mentioned it, both of the bathrooms in my home are spacious and beautiful.

excuse u, but u don't know if he's 'raising holy hell', cuz Jessica didn't mention what the little boy does! she just he's hard to control... the mom might just be a crab, and makes everything look dramatic.

Originally posted by Janice

Don't feel sorry for me. The children in my life are treated like royalty. It's alarmists, drama queens and dime-droppers like you that deserve pity.
If the 10-year brat is raising holy hell, a short stay in a bathroom won't kill him.
And yes, since you mentioned it, both of the bathrooms in my home are spacious and beautiful.

and i don't feel sorry for YOU, i feel sorry for the kids. SS

You could report it if you have more evidence. If you see bruises on the kid all the time, maybe you should consider reporting it. I have to admit telling a kid to go to the bathroom and stay in there as punishment is a bit unusual, but I don't consider it abuse. I consider abuse as either verbal abuse or beating the kid. jmo

Originally posted by Buffy&Angelique


and i don't feel sorry for YOU, i feel sorry for the kids. SS
Save your pity drama queen. Every kid in my life is fortunate to have me there.
For the record, I wouldn't send a child to the bathroom, but I still know it doesn't constitute child abuse.
The minute Child Protective Services enters a family, it becomes hell, even when the parents are completely innocent. Every move the family makes is monitored. If the kid falls off a bike, there's accusations of abuse. Everything is magnified and blown out of proportion. Children are removed from their homes on false accusations which is why I urge anyone to think twice before alerting authorities on a 'hunch'. Lives are often ruined this way.

Originally posted by Janice

Save your pity drama queen. Every kid in my life is fortunate to have me there.
For the record, I wouldn't send a child to the bathroom, but I still know it doesn't constitute child abuse.
The minute Child Protective Services enters a family, it becomes hell, even when the parents are completely innocent. Every move the family makes is monitored. If the kid falls off a bike, there's accusations of abuse. Everything is magnified and blown out of proportion. Children are removed from their homes on false accusations which is why I urge anyone to think twice before alerting authorities on a 'hunch'. Lives are often ruined this way. Reporting something like child abuse is very risky; I must agree. I think that's probably why many children struggle to talk about their problems or whatever the heck is going on within the walls of their home. I mean, the child might grow up to depise his/her parents, but it's always fortunate to have them around, no matter how painful it may be. Foster parents could be more beneficial to a child, but it's nothing like having the parents whom gave birth to you.

Originally posted by Jo's the bomb
Reporting something like child abuse is very risky; I must agree. I think that's probably why many children struggle to talk about their problems or whatever the heck is going within the walls of their home. I mean, the child might grow up to depise his/her parents, but it's always fortunate to have them around, no matter how painful it may be. Froster parents could be more beneficial to a child, but it's nothing like having the parents whom gave birth to you.
I agree. I'm all for removing children from abusive homes. Even in those cases, family reunification is the ultimate goal. The foster care system is a like a roulette wheel...you never know what you'll end up with.
It often does provide a safe haven for kids waiting to be reunited with their families (while parents are participating in court-ordered parenting classes), or sadly, foster homes are a stopover while a child waits to be adopted.
Some foster homes are hell on earth.
With that said, no child should ever be yanked out of their own home and placed in a foster home because some busybody needs a little excitement in their life and puts in a call to the authorities.

Originally posted by Janice

I agree. I'm all for removing children from abusive homes. Even in those cases, family reunification is the ultimate goal. The foster care system is a like a roulette wheel...you never know what you'll end up with.
Once you're in a foster home, you just keep getting pin-balled around, even after family reunification...

Originally posted by Buffy&Angelique


I didn't call u stupid (u know what it's all about anyways. it's something friendly, so don't even go there)...

you called me a 'stupid slap' that doesn't seem very friendly to me.

Give me a break...abuse? You people don't know what abuse is! Being tied to a bedpost and whipped is abuse. Being locked in a bathroom for a short time is a mild form of punishment!

Parents are too soft these days. A little bit of discipline never hurt anyone, in fact, many kids are being hurt (and hurting others) because of a lack of discipline in this country. Don't report this! Reporting this would, just, be silly.

Originally posted by JOHN LENNON LIVES
Give me a break...abuse? You people don't know what abuse is! Being tied to a bedpost and whipped is abuse. Being locked in a bathroom for a short time is a mild form of punishment!

Parents are too soft these days. A little bit of discipline never hurt anyone, in fact, many kids are being hurt (and hurting others) because of a lack of discipline in this country. Don't report this! Reporting this would, just, be silly.

Yes, but... those who are getting abused will end up taking there frustrations on others... HURTING others...

I'm sorry, I havent read this whole thread, so I don't know if it's been addressed, but the post got me.

You gave so little info, just that she closes him in the bathroom when he's bad?

A lot of children have violent tantrums; I've seen women in the hospital who have beaten or stabbed by even very young children. Is this child mentally disturbed and does the child become physically violent?

If this is the case, containing him anywhere he's unlikely to hurt
someone is a good thing. Many people would be inclined to lose their temper
to the point of seriously injuring someone. If this is her coping mechanism, it's a good start. If this is the case, she can talk to someone in child abusive prevention and ask for immediate help - a referal to get the situation under control.

If she shuts the child in the bathroom for a long period of time over something stupid, like he refused to clean his plate or pick up toys, thats just pretty sad.

If its only for a short period of time over trivial stuff, you might just point out to her that the bathroom might be a dangerous place for a time out, because there are so many potentially
hazardous things to get into.

Good Luck

Originally posted by Buffy&Angelique


Yes, but... those who are getting abused will end up taking there frustrations on others... HURTING others...

That's not necessarily true. And who's to say that there's even abuse going on here? For hundreds of years up until the later part of the 20th century it was considered alright to spank a child to discipline them. Did all of those children grow up being abusive to others? I'm sure many people on these message boards along with myself were spanked as children, that doesn't make us all abusive. Quite frankly I think I would have rather been locked in a bathroom than spanked as a child.