Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Horrified Mom Begs Social Services To Save Her Obese 9YO Son From Negligent Dad, Gets Nothing
Sad child sitting on a couch holding fries and snacks, reflecting social services refuse seeing child issues.

Frustrated Mom Gets No Help From Social Services While 9YO Son Is Out Of Control At Dad's Place

33

ADVERTISEMENT

Every parent’s job is to do their best for their children and to make sure they’re safe and healthy, no matter what happens. Unfortunately, when couples get separated, they might start to differ on the best way to care for their kids, which can end up causing a lot of problems.

This is what one worried mother realized after her 9-year-old son moved in with his father and stopped following any rules whatsoever. Since the kid’s well-being was at risk, the mother asked social services for support, but received no help in return.

More info: Mumsnet

RELATED:

    Sometimes, the thing that can help children the most is to have a parent who cares for them enough to enforce some discipline

    Image credits: stockking / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    The poster shared that her 9-year-old son moved out and went to live with his dad, which was tough since her ex didn’t keep in touch with her at all

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The woman started getting concerned because her son was taken out of school, allowed to play video games till 2 a.m., and had gained a lot of weight

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: fijulanam468 / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    Eventually, the poster decided to ask social services for help with her son’s weight and education, but they said that his situation didn’t warrant any intervention

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: Tima Miroshnichenko / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    The poster also knew that she wouldn’t be able to look after her son because he’d find a way to run away and stay with his dad again

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: rawpixel.com / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    Even at her son’s last school, the poster had been dismissed for asking why her child had been taken out, and ended up having to deal with her ex’s mom on the issue

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: QuaintLilacBee

    The woman felt extremely helpless and unsure how to keep her son safe since social services weren’t willing to step in and do anything

    The poster mentioned that she had split from her partner nearly six years ago and that her son had decided to move in with his dad around the time he was 8 years old. Ever since then, the OP didn’t know how to discipline him or change things, because even if she tried to get him back home, he would just go back to his father.

    Although it might be quite painful to know that one’s kid wants to spend more time with the other co-parent, family experts state that it’s important to understand why they’ve made such a choice. In most cases, it might just be because the child doesn’t feel as connected to the other adult and wants to spend more time with them, or it could also be because they let any behavior fly.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    That’s exactly what seemed to be happening in this case, because the poster noticed that her son wasn’t given any rules to follow in his dad’s house. He was even taken out of school, allowed to play video games till 2 a.m., and also not stopped from eating junk food, which caused him to gain a lot of weight.

    It’s clear the OP’s ex wasn’t doing a good job of parenting his son, and professionals explain that in such situations, it’s important for the other guardian to bring up their concerns. Rather than blaming their co-parent, it’s best to share facts about the kid’s behavior and what problems they’ve noticed.

    Image credits: Ahmet Kurt / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The poster started getting concerned about her son’s health because he was just eating junk food all the time and not getting enough sleep. She was also shocked when he lost his temper and took out his anger on her when she tried to correct him for a simple mistake that he had made.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Eventually, she decided to take matters into her own hands since her ex and his mom weren’t doing anything to correct the boy. So she contacted social services and told them about the whole situation, and asked them for help. Unfortunately, they did not think that there was any scope for intervention and refused her request.

    In situations like this, experts state that parents should document whatever concerns they have and then involve lawyers or the authorities if it is necessary. Although the legal route might be a long, drawn-out process, this can help keep the child safe and set appropriate boundaries in place.

    The OP wasn’t sure if she wanted to take legal action, so she felt helpless because none of the government agencies were taking her concerns seriously. She also knew that if she tried to get her son to move back home, he’d just run away, which is why she asked netizens for help and advice.

    What do you think would be the best way for the woman to deal with a situation like this? Do share your thoughts and opinions on this story.

    Folks were shocked by the woman’s plight and urged her to contact the kid’s school and the local authorities for more help

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Poll Question

    Total votes ·

    Thanks! Check out the results:

    Total votes ·
    Share on Facebook

    Explore more of these tags

    Beverly Noronha

    Beverly Noronha

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    You can call me Bev! I'm a world-class reader, a quirky writer, and a gardener who paints. If you’re looking for information about tattoos, Bulbasaur, and books, then I'm the NPC you must approach.

    Read less »
    Beverly Noronha

    Beverly Noronha

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    You can call me Bev! I'm a world-class reader, a quirky writer, and a gardener who paints. If you’re looking for information about tattoos, Bulbasaur, and books, then I'm the NPC you must approach.

    Denis Krotovas

    Denis Krotovas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I am a Visual Editor at Bored Panda. While studying at Vilnius Tech University, I learned how to use Photoshop and decided to continue mastering it at Bored Panda. I am interested in learning UI/UX design and creating unique designs for apps, games and websites. On my spare time, I enjoy playing video and board games, watching TV shows and movies and reading funny posts on the internet.

    Read less »

    Denis Krotovas

    Denis Krotovas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I am a Visual Editor at Bored Panda. While studying at Vilnius Tech University, I learned how to use Photoshop and decided to continue mastering it at Bored Panda. I am interested in learning UI/UX design and creating unique designs for apps, games and websites. On my spare time, I enjoy playing video and board games, watching TV shows and movies and reading funny posts on the internet.

    What do you think ?
    Lee Gilliland
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is why we need to make homeschooling illegal again. Kids are not getting lessons, they're getting ignored, and most parents haven't the slightest idea how to educate children properly.

    Ms.GB
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At the very least it needs stricter guidelines.

    Load More Replies...
    FreeTheUnicorn
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where is this that OP doesn't have any legal rights to their son? They say there's no court involvement but if Dad has full/sole parenting rights, that seems really suspicious.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    Kate Johnson
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Here's the question? What did this mom do to lose all custody of her son?? There's a reason she has no rights, so I don't think we're getting the whole story here. Very little credible here.

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It sounds like OP is in the UK or Europe, not America, so their custody arrangements could be extremely different. It doesn't sound like OP "lost" custody so much as it sounds like wherever they live, both parents have a "right" to keep the child for as long as they/the child wishes, with no legal pressures to share custody in any way if they don't want to. OP could live in a country where women have basically no rights at all and men dominate everything, including custody of children when the parents are separated/never married.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    Lee Gilliland
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is why we need to make homeschooling illegal again. Kids are not getting lessons, they're getting ignored, and most parents haven't the slightest idea how to educate children properly.

    Ms.GB
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At the very least it needs stricter guidelines.

    Load More Replies...
    FreeTheUnicorn
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where is this that OP doesn't have any legal rights to their son? They say there's no court involvement but if Dad has full/sole parenting rights, that seems really suspicious.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    Kate Johnson
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Here's the question? What did this mom do to lose all custody of her son?? There's a reason she has no rights, so I don't think we're getting the whole story here. Very little credible here.

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It sounds like OP is in the UK or Europe, not America, so their custody arrangements could be extremely different. It doesn't sound like OP "lost" custody so much as it sounds like wherever they live, both parents have a "right" to keep the child for as long as they/the child wishes, with no legal pressures to share custody in any way if they don't want to. OP could live in a country where women have basically no rights at all and men dominate everything, including custody of children when the parents are separated/never married.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    You May Like
    Related on Bored Panda
    Popular on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT