Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Good Deed Mom Could Face Charges


Mom's have a hard job. We cook, we clean, we pick up, we drop off, we worry, we love and we do it all over the very next day.

It's nice to think that we can handle all those jobs, but many of us require a helping hand from time to time.

That is exactly what a few mom's from Middleville Mich. received from their friend Lisa Snyder. Because the working mom's schedules conflicted with their children's bus pick-up, Lisa offered to watch their children for the few minutes in between to make sure they got onto their bus safely.

The arrangement was perfect until Snyder received a letter from the Department of Human Services warning her that it is against the law to run an illegal day care. The letter continued to inform her that if she were to continue watching the children, she must apply for a license, if not, she could be fined or put in jail.

As a stay at home Mom, this story really hit a chord. I am one of the lucky Mom's that have family close by. So when my baby was in the hospital, there was help. When there were meetings that both parents had to attend, there was help. When I was ordered on bed rest, there was help. And on those occasions where I didn't feel well, there was help.

But for many out there, family members live miles away. Often we are surrounded by tiny voices, but still we feel alone. We must depend on friends and other parents who are willing to lend a hand. Friends like Lisa Snyder.

To read the entire story and more about Brian Calley; the lawyer who is working hard to change the law that is affecting Snyder go here.

May the state of Michigan one day realize the difference between day care and a good deed.

6 comments:

Kathy B! said...

That is the dumbest I have ever heard in my entire life. What gets into people?!

Dreamgirl said...

A very interesting story and just an example of how bureaucracy sometimes makes people's lives harder.
Just stopping by from SITS wishing you a fabulous Wednesday!

Anonymous said...

I gess our community baby sitters will get their jobs shut down, too. This is utterly ridiculous! When there is no commense sense in the law,then apparently there is too much law! It just goes to show that government doesn't want the people doing good on their own. They want to mandate when and how you can do good. So much for the American Exceptionalism!

Nicole @ WhenDidIBecomeMyMom.com said...

You have GOT to be kidding me! You know I always talk about us stupidly following the letter of the law and not the intent of the law.

What amazes me as that we continue to talk about the family unit and how important it is but yet we keep pulling down the supports for family.

I wish her luck and hope common sense triumphs in the end!

Stopping by from SITS. Thanks for sharing this. :-)

Chocolate Lover said...

Wow! What a story! Are these people serious!? Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Matty said...

This could only have happened by SOMEONE making a phone call to the Department of Human Services, or another agency who referred it to them. SOMEONE with nothing else better to do. SOMEONE who didn't have all the facts, and ASSUMED she was charging them money for her time. Or, just SOMEONE with an axe to grind.

Sad.