Missing school often is too many....

A single parent mentioned one day during a school week that her and her child was going to the gym instead of going to school.
I feel like the parent might be viewing the child more as a friendship/buddy thing than a parent to a child.
Why couldn't they go the gym afterschool?

Lets just say the child missed a lot of days from school either due to parent oversleeping or both parent or child being sick but hours later would be ok and on device playing games. Might be some structure and routine issues at play. I just hope the kid don't grow up making missing school habitual.

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AngelUnforgiven · 51-55, F

If it were me i would talk to the parent. And offer to help. Maybe get the child to school sometimes or engage them in something other than their digital devices, if that means a movie night. Game night, playing ball with them or whatever. Im not the type of person to just sit back and observe something like that without trying to help. Just today i bought Easter Baskets for all my neighbors kids and i made sure that they had a ball or some sort of outdoor toy in them.

OpalFlower · 36-40, F

@AngelUnforgiven If I say anything even when I am showing concern it might come off as being judgmental. I remember one time the parent even mentioned that I can take her child to school. When clearly I don't drive when I mentioned about how her ex boyfriend mentioned the school or DCF being involved if a child misses too many days of school. Even if I did drop the kid off to school there are other issues at bay such as too much screentime and stationary lifestyle for a 1st grader. I even remember during Spring Break the kid wasn't in school for two weeks and 90% of his activity was sleep, devices, and eat. I try to do things with him here and there but my interest aren't his interest(art) unless his parent takes the device away then the child wants to do art. I even joined him outside to do water bottle targets with his nerf gun that I thought of and surprisingly his other friends had nerf guns too and they played together. Then he went fishing but if I didn't ask him etc or wasn't present he would of been inside on devices etc.

AngelUnforgiven · 51-55, F

@OpalFlower then you've done your part you can only do so much. They say it takes a village and i try to be a villager who others can rely on, but the truth is sometimes its beyond you and others have to get involved.

OpalFlower · 36-40, F

@AngelUnforgiven I was thinking about contacting the school and DCF anonymously to ask questions. She even mentioned one time homeschooling the child but still issues may happen. Too much screentime and sleeping in a lot etc.

AngelUnforgiven · 51-55, F

@OpalFlower do what you think is best. If thats what your gut is telling you. Do whats best for the child.

NativePortlander1970

@AngelUnforgiven I think the best first approach is to contact the woman's parents to see if they can intervene, or any other responsible relatives, cps should only be the last resort if none can be found.