are Kate and Gerry McCann responsible parents?

[Freya]

Have read all comments with interest some have made me feel really sad because I try hard not to really think what could be happening to Maelaine (naive of me I know!)

I don't think the parents should be punished because it won't bring their daughter back. Whilst I agree with all the arguments that she may not have been taken if they were there I just think the perpetrator would have targeted someone elses daughter. I think the parents know this as well. (that if they were there she wouldn't have been taken)

I feel sorry for everyone - Madeleine, her parents and extended family and her brother and sister I can understand why people feel so passionately about this especially when you do think what could be happening to poor girl . But, although I wouldn't leave my children unatteneded to go for a meal, I don't judge them harshly for doing this.

Lets all hope that she is found safe and well and soon. Although I think hope is fading fast

 

[valentine]

I don't think the parents should be punished because it won't bring their daughter back. Whilst I agree with all the arguments that she may not have been taken if they were there I just think the perpetrator would have targeted someone elses daughter. I think the parents know this as well. (that if they were there she wouldn't have been taken)

I feel sorry for everyone - Madeleine, her parents and extended family and her brother and sister I can understand why people feel so passionately about this especially when you do think what could be happening to poor girl . But, although I wouldn't leave my children unatteneded to go for a meal, I don't judge them harshly for doing this.

Freya - I feel exactly the same.

Hence the reason I also haven't voted as there's no option available to me as I believe they probably are responsible parents who made an error of judgement that they will regret possibly for the rest of their lives, however I don't think I would ever leave my children alone like that. But I'm not a parent of small children yet - my views may well change.

Valentine xxx

 

[Minime]

I think they were watched and their movements were predictable, I dont think it was a chance snatching which also makes me think that them leaving the kids at night was a regular occurance.

I'm sorry if I upset anyone by saying this but is this a class thing? Would there be all this publicity and support from politicians, royalty, the rich & famous even the pope if this kid was from a normal working class (and poorer) family or would the parents have been slated and vilified for their actions? I cant help but think that would be the case if the parents werent so neer to do.....

 

[budge]

I think they were watched and their movements were predictable, I dont think it was a chance snatching which also makes me think that them leaving the kids at night was a regular occurance.

I'm sorry if I upset anyone by saying this but is this a class thing? Would there be all this publicity and support from politicians, royalty, the rich & famous even the pope if this kid was from a normal working class (and poorer) family or would the parents have been slated and vilified for their actions? I cant help but think that would be the case if the parents werent so neer to do.....

i agree. i think they left the children every evening and someone who possibly works in the hitel alerted an organisation (?).
I agree that its a class thing too. If someone on a council estate left their kids in bed whilst they went to the local pub for a meal every eveneing and one got nsatched they would have been in the gutter press.
its only coz of Gerry and kates professions that they haven't been slated.
I cannot understand how anyone can symapthise with that couple t all. They put their children in danger. they left them open to the elements with no protection at all. Madeleine was taken EASILY becasue of them.
They really screwed up didn't they and they know it. Thats why they are touring Europe publicing it - they know they screwed up big time and they have lost their perfect family life and want it back.
silly idiots i say.
God bless medeline. I hope shes safe and sound.

 

[glitzyglamgirl]

I don't think the parents should be punished because it won't bring their daughter back. Whilst I agree with all the arguments that she may not have been taken if they were there I just think the perpetrator would have targeted someone elses daughter. I think the parents know this as well. (that if they were there she wouldn't have been taken)

I feel sorry for everyone - Madeleine, her parents and extended family and her brother and sister I can understand why people feel so passionately about this especially when you do think what could be happening to poor girl . But, although I wouldn't leave my children unatteneded to go for a meal, I don't judge them harshly for doing this.

Freya - I feel exactly the same.

Hence the reason I also haven't voted as there's no option available to me as I believe they probably are responsible parents who made an error of judgement that they will regret possibly for the rest of their lives, however I don't think I would ever leave my children alone like that. But I'm not a parent of small children yet - my views may well change.

Valentine xxx

I agree.

I think they had a false sense of security and thats that, im sure they didnt actually believe they were leaving them alone as they were in the same building, and yes while we know now that was a terrible mistake, it CANT be compared to the people who leave thier kids at home alone while they go down the pub.

Id like to know that the point of this is to be honest, will any of this help get maddy back, or just create more unnecassary bad feeling towards such a heartbroken family?

What they need is our positive thoughts, prayers, whatever you want to call it, to get Maddy back, not all this pointless speculation about wether or not they should be punished. I mean come on, cant anyone else see how cruel it is to suggest they havnt been punished enough?

And about them travelling and leaving the twins, Id do the same. They are trying to raise public awareness in countries where it hasnt been reported and where its possible maddy has been taken. Why should they sit at home feeling helpless and at the mercy of foriegn authorities? I take my hat off to them for wanting to spearhead such a massive campaign. Its ridiculous to suggest the twins are being left alone, they are with family, and they are so young they probably think its an extended holiday.

Give them a break for feck sake they are doing all they can!

 

[glitzyglamgirl]

i agree. i think they left the children every evening and someone who possibly works in the hitel alerted an organisation (?).

where the hell did you get that one budge, or is it just speculation?

 

[budge]

i agree. i think they left the children every evening and someone who possibly works in the hitel alerted an organisation (?).

where the hell did you get that one budge, or is it just speculation?

its an idea.
i think someone in the hotel has something to do with this abduction. i think they realised the children were left at night whilst the family went for a meal and alerted an organisation that abducts kids. Maybe he/she gets a cut maybe they are child abusers ????
but thats my theory anyway.

 

[budge]

[quote="glitzyglamgirlI think they had a false sense of security and thats that, im sure they didnt actually believe they were leaving them alone as they were in the same building, and yes while we know now that was a terrible mistake, it CANT be compared to the people who leave thier kids at home alone while they go down the pub.


WHY NOT?
and they weren't in the same building. i was amazed to see how far away the parents were to the appartment room


Give them a break for feck sake they are doing all they can![/quote]


NO. i did have a slight sympathy with them until they started this tour leavingtheir kids behind.

 

[glitzyglamgirl]

ok Budge, im getting pretty tired of all this now. You know ive got a lot of respect for you but this is too much.

You dont have a name or face of the abductor to blame, no-one does, so you are trying to put blame on someone who you can see, someone you can see on TV and shout at and project your anger on, fair enough, basic pysch 101, but making wild guesses and using those to back up your anger towards them is just stupid.

 

[Strangeness]

I also think they were out at least a few nights this wasn't just a one off let's go to dinner. No one would just go into an apartment on the off chance that the parents would leave the kids because most parents would never leave their kids.

 

[budge]

ok Budge, im getting pretty tired of all this now. You know ive got a lot of respect for you but this is too much.

You dont have a name or face of the abductor to blame, no-one does, so you are trying to put blame on someone who you can see, someone you can see on TV and shout at and project your anger on, fair enough, basic pysch 101, but making wild guesses and using those to back up your anger towards them is just stupid.

you what?

i am blaming no one. you asked what i meant with my reply to minnime and i explained. i am blaming no one.
the thing i do beleive is that if the child had not been left alone in the firdst place she would ntot have been abducted. you have to agree with me there.
and im not angry. if it had been my child that they left in the appartment room alone and she got taken then i would have been angry.
Im just flabbergasted that the parents have been let off lightly by the public over leaving her. as if its totally acceptable.

 

[libs]

But surely a most debates won't actually achieve anything. We could sit and debate world poverty, world peace anything. We won't achieve anything but we have the right to discuss surely. And the right to opinions that may not be all hugs and support but as you've seen GGG they are the feelings and opinions of a lot of people on here. What we're discussing is parenting skills after all. Why is it that any actual discussion on here gets criticised?

And to agree with Budge - they weren't in the same building - they were at the equivalent of a corner pub - ie out of the building and down the road.

I don't want anyone to shout at or get angry at - I just think that in the middle of all this everyone forgot that this child was left alone. In real life (as opposed to t'internet) this has been the discussion everyone has been having since day 1. I was thoroughly ashamed to hear an American broadcast say that the cultural differences in Britain mean that we think it is ok to leave children alone No we don't and I think we have the right to make that clear.

 

[budge]

can i just say that i am not angry. i am not arguing with anyone here. its a healthy debate. No one is getting hett up/ well im not anyway.
I see things for what they are thats all. i can't and won't look at the world with rose tinted glasses.

 

[glitzyglamgirl]

well ok as everyone seems happy to speculate and throw theories around, heres mine!

They were on holiday, staying in a resort apartment with a restaurant on site, just opposite. They could see the apartment. There were a few parents there who they became friendly with and they were going to check out the babysitting service, (which was basically a creche club, not a babysitter in the apartment - I have checked) but one of the other parents told them not to bother, its was rubbish, thier kids had hated it so as they were so close to the apartments they didnt see the point.

They didnt want thier children going to a creche that they would not enjoy, so on the advise of the other parents, and because the false sense of security created by the proximity of the restaurant to the apartment, being on the same resort and therefore part of the same area, they were quite happy with the arrangement.

There are no reports that the children were heard crying, there are no reports that there had ever been any probelsm with this at the hotel and it was seemingly a common, perfectly safe option.

Some sicko went in through the window, which could have happened if the parents were in the apartment, asleep in the next room.

And not they are travelling to look for thier little girl, raising awareness in countries where no-one knows about maddie. It makes more of an impact if it is them doing it. I would rather do that than sit at home feeling helpless.

 

[frangelle]

But surely a most debates won't actually achieve anything. We could sit and debate world poverty, world peace anything. We won't achieve anything but we have the right to discuss surely. And the right to opinions that may not be all hugs and support but as you've seen GGG they are the feelings and opinions of a lot of people on here. What we're discussing is parenting skills after all. Why is it that any actual discussion on here gets criticised?

And to agree with Budge - they weren't in the same building - they were at the equivalent of a corner pub - ie out of the building and down the road.

I don't want anyone to shout at or get angry at - I just think that in the middle of all this everyone forgot that this child was left alone. In real life (as opposed to t'internet) this has been the discussion everyone has been having since day 1. I was thoroughly ashamed to hear an American broadcast say that the cultural differences in Britain mean that we think it is ok to leave children alone No we don't and I think we have the right to make that clear.

I have to agree with you there, oh wise one

 

[glitzyglamgirl]

um.....i am debating with you? Not arguing with you!

 

[frangelle]

well ok as everyone seems happy to speculate and throw theories around, heres mine!

They were on holiday, staying in a resort apartment with a restaurant on site, just opposite. They could see the apartment. There were a few parents there who they became friendly with and they were going to check out the babysitting service, (which was basically a creche club, not a babysitter in the apartment - I have checked) but one of the other parents told them not to bother, its was rubbish, thier kids had hated it so as they were so close to the apartments they didnt see the point.

They didnt want thier children going to a creche that they would not enjoy, so on the advise of the other parents, and because the false sense of security created by the proximity of the restaurant to the apartment, being on the same resort and therefore part of the same area, they were quite happy with the arrangement.

There are no reports that the children were heard crying, there are no reports that there had ever been any probelsm with this at the hotel and it was seemingly a common, perfectly safe option.

Some sicko went in through the window, which could have happened if the parents were in the apartment, asleep in the next room.

And not they are travelling to look for thier little girl, raising awareness in countries where no-one knows about maddie. It makes more of an impact if it is them doing it. I would rather do that than sit at home feeling helpless.

Can I just say a friend I know worked at this very resort and said that she worked as one of the nannys who go around checking on the kids in their apartments frequently, so unless it's changed, there was another option to using the creche. So they could have used this instead of the creche?

Although in my humble opinion, I would have done neither- just gone out for a meal and then a walk on the beach, then home to the apartment, which is what I did when LO was 2 and we were holidaying in Greece

 

[libs]

I haven't speculated or thrown theories around so I feel it's unfair to class everyone there GGG. What I have done is to give my opinion of the parenting skills of the parents.

The question was are they responsible parents? Based on the fact that they left their children alone - not to go to a restaurant opposite ( looking at the pictures, map and shots from the news reports it's down the road..so not the equivalent of me sitting here looking out of my window at the house opposite) no they're not. And if I felt that I had to do something rather than sit there - which I can accept - I would take my twins with me. Yes it makes life a little more difficult. That's the same as taking your children to a restaurant with you. That's called being a parent. I would be scared to let those children out of my sight - and I appreciate that wouldn't go on forever and that normal life has to resume at some point..but right now? No - they would be strapped to my back every minute of the day.

 

[budge]

But surely a most debates won't actually achieve anything. We could sit and debate world poverty, world peace anything. We won't achieve anything but we have the right to discuss surely. And the right to opinions that may not be all hugs and support but as you've seen GGG they are the feelings and opinions of a lot of people on here. What we're discussing is parenting skills after all. Why is it that any actual discussion on here gets criticised?

And to agree with Budge - they weren't in the same building - they were at the equivalent of a corner pub - ie out of the building and down the road.

I don't want anyone to shout at or get angry at - I just think that in the middle of all this everyone forgot that this child was left alone. In real life (as opposed to t'internet) this has been the discussion everyone has been having since day 1. I was thoroughly ashamed to hear an American broadcast say that the cultural differences in Britain mean that we think it is ok to leave children alone No we don't and I think we have the right to make that clear.

thats exactly what i think. the child was left alone. which was WRONG.

 

[monster_munch]

I was thoroughly ashamed to hear an American broadcast say that the cultural differences in Britain mean that we think it is ok to leave children alone No we don't and I think we have the right to make that clear.

I saw that too and that really galled at me - I am not going to be drawn into any debate etc as I do have fairly strong views on this but I too was very ashamed to hear that.