They can't fend for themselves a while?

[I'm all 67X]

local6.com

'On Strike' Mom Accused Of Neglect
Woman Says She Can't Control 4 Teen Boys

POSTED: 3:07 pm EST February 20, 2008
UPDATED: 11:34 pm EST February 20, 2008

OCALA, Fla. -- A Central Florida mother of four boys was arrested on Tuesday after telling authorities that she went "on strike" more than a month ago, leaving the teens home alone for hours every day because they would constantly fight.

Melissa G. Dean, 33, was charged with child neglect after telling Ocala police and the Department of Children and Families that she leaves her children, ages 17, 16, 14 and 13, home alone.

According to a charging affidavit, Dean said the children needed to start cleaning up and stop fighting and that she had no control over them. Dean also said she was fed up with being run over in her own home and having no privacy, according to the affidavit.

Dean told a DCF official that she decided to "go on strike" because no one would help with her children, saying the police and courts would do nothing to help her.

Dean, a Walgreens manager, said she spends nights at a friend's house and would only spend one night per week at her home, the affidavit stated.

The affidavit said that Dean would cook meals and take them to her children and would sometimes check on them. Dean said she called her children often, the charging affidavit said.

Police said they were called to the home on Monday because two of the children were fighting over a computer cord. One of the boys ran to a neighbor's home and police were called. Dean was not home at the time of the incident, police said.

Police have responded to the home several times in the past.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.

Copyright 2008 by Internet Broadcasting Systems and Local6.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[quiet_kate]

That doesn't sound like she's much of a good mother. Those kids need some strong male authority in their lives...and God...and I bet that'd straighten them right up.

[I'm all 67X]

That doesn't sound like she's much of a good mother. Those kids need some strong male authority in their lives...and God...and I bet that'd straighten them right up.

Tough one- single mom, teenage boys...my 8 year old daughter could fend for herself for a while if she had to. Of course we live several miles outside of a town of about 7000, the rural location helps I think. A male figure as a role model would help, but that's both an epidemic and endemic problem in the US.

[Issachar]

33 and has 4 teens? The first had to be born when she was 16 and one a year after that with a fourth child by age 20. Same dad for all 4? Sadly, not likely. Dad present in home? Apparently not. Imho, this is merely an example of what is all too common in our society. The effects of family breakdown in a society, followed by the break down of the society itself, is exponential, not merely linear. Another generation or two should the Lord tarry, will make this world a very different place than we know today.

As far as fending for themselves? If that was all they needed, as teenagers I'm sure they could. But it sounds like there were much bigger issues than simply getting food and doing laundry.

It used to take years to see major differences in society. Then it was every couple years ... then months ... now it's daily.

Issachar

[Born Again 2006]

We have Jesus as a role model! Does anyone need anything more?:preach

[Issachar]

Amen to Jesus being THE role model. However, being the Creator of all things that have been made, He did also create the family unit. Also, barely a soul out there knows the Lord which means He is not their role model.

Issachar

[ANewCreature]

A strong woman can do it - but note that the Shumannite woman, which is the best example of God blessing a non-traditional family, I think, is actually called by the Spirit a "great woman." I agree, it had to be more than just food and laundry; the article says the police had been called there in the past.

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For what it's worth, I'm developing a message centering around that for wherever I might speak, and I've found 3 main points - and feel free to copy and use, and expand, as I don't have it all the way yet, just jotting things down now:

I. The person must have great determination
In other words, the woman must be strong emotionally, the kind who will do whatever it takes. How many people, men as well as women, might panic when their son lay dying like the boy did in the latter part of that story? (*Note - it sounds like the woman had some, but reached her breaking point*)

II. The person must have little opposition
The person must also face little opposition. The Shumannite woman was lucky – she faced no opposition from her husband. In fact, we see several places that he not only went along, but willingly let her take the lead in the things of God.
A non-Christian boyfriend, or a weak Christian, might be willing now to let someone go to church all the time, and you should talk to him about God. But, what’s going to happen if that non-Christian starts getting involved in wild parties, drinking, pornography, or anything like that. He’ll likely start fighting you over your church – he’ll want to be number one over God, or at the very least, he’ll insist that you stop trying to change him.
Remember, this Shumannite’s husband is the best case scenario – look what he does. He tells the servants to take the boy to her; he’s suffered what is likely heat stroke, he seems to be dying, and the husband is indifferent. But, even here, the woman wants to find the man of God, and he questions her – why? Oh, he accepts that there are certain times when God is important, but he doesn’t want to deal with God otherwise.
My friends, if the man of the house is absent, either physically, mentally, or both, then by all means, you must take the lead. Young people, if your parents are not into the word of God, not following what God wants, you must take the lead. But, you must also be in prayer, and ready to face the opposition. Because they will likely ask, “Why are you reading the Bible, it’s not Sunday?” In extreme cases, I’ve heard of situations where the teens must not only discipline themselves to do what’s right, they must provide discipline for their younger siblings, in which case you may be asked, “Why have you told your brother or sister they can’t watch TV, or play video games," or whatever it is.
Then, you must be able to not only avoid being a hypocrite – remember, “do as I say, not as I do” never works – you must be able to calmly and respectfully spell out why you are leading your siblings down a Christ-honoring path. Look again at verses @. The Shumannite woman doesn’t criticize her husband for not knowing that Elisha was a man of God. She doesn’t berate him later for not caring about his son. Throughout this passage, we see one constant – the Shumannite woman spells out what must be done, and she makes sure it gets done.She lets her husband be involved if he wants to – but he clearly shows no interest. And yet, perhaps because she has been so polite and respectful, he is willing to let her call on the Lord.

(*Note - hard to tell here, but it does sound like no man has been present.*)

III. The person must have firm faith
You see, that’s the whole key to this passage of Scripture. The Shumannite woman is not boastful – nowhere does she boast and say, “Look how I’m raising this family, while you sit on your duff and do nothing to support us spiritually." No, she is not like that at all.
Instead, she shows great faith – she continually puts God first. My friend, if you’re going to do anything for God, you must put God first. Remember the mnemonic joy - it's Jesus, then Others, then You. god blessed this faily becasue this was a person of faith.

(*Note - obviously, not complete, as with the first. But, the last point is the most important, and is last so it will be the most memorable, And, if they were fighting "all the time" and the police had bene called several times, there was likely not much if any faith, though I don't want to judge too critically there.*)

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Sometimes we fall into the habit of criticizing familes because they're not like God set up - I think what we need to do is guide families toward being like the Shumannite one instead when there is a lack of traditional things. And, if there's no male authority, the one where the children should be able to find it one right away is the church.

[lyngraphics]

Florida Teens Accost Reporter After Mom Goes 'On Strike' From Caring for Them

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,331690,00.html

I'm sorry, but maybe there is a reason these boys act this way...

[JenGC]

oohhhhh children rising up against parents. And yes, I agree that the mother "had lost control of her children" because you first have to discipline them before they behave...and it is much easier when you start it at a young age :rolls

[funmudder]

:tsk