Some of the advice to parents with regard to the Penn State Scandal

[pnwmom]

seems, to me, way over the top. How hard in so many ways it must be to be a young parent these days.

For example, the example below. If a parent followed this advice, he or she would never be able to hire an adult babysitter for their child. Or let their child go on a hike with an aunt or uncle. Somehow, we have to figure out how to keep our children safe without becoming completely paranoid.

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-11-10/living/living_warning-signs-of-sexual-abuse_1_abuse-cases-child-abuse-prevention-signs-of-sexual-abuse/2?_s=PM:LIVING

Make sure they're never alone with adults in an isolated setting and show up for their activities when you can. That doesn't mean attend every single baseball practice, but be present enough to know what's going on and to ensure your child is never alone with an adult.

[bluestateguy]

1. Being a single adult male makes you automatically suspect

Yet they are no more or less likely to do harm that anyone else.

[pnwmom]

2. Yup. Pedophiles usually operate under the cover of a spouse and/or kids. n/t

[Missy Vixen]

4. We're married, and we didn't have children by choice.

The things parents have said to one or both of us still astound me. In other words, "there's something wrong" with us. Uh, no, there's not. There's something wrong with people who believe the biggest danger to their children is outside of their family and closest friends. Painting everyone who's single or married without kids as a "possible molester" is ridiculous. Maybe the rest of us should start viewing parents who insist on this BS as "possible abusers", hm?

If you can't leave your child for a couple of hours in the care of a capable, reliable older teen or trusted adult without a "nanny cam", for God's sake, just stay home.

How many parents knew about Sandusky's little escapades, and never blew the whistle on him?

[tblue]

3. It's tough. Tell the sitter you'll be back soon or that your brother's gonna stop by.

Or if you can afford a webcam, get one.

For sports, there's no way a coach should ever be alone with a child ever! If that's the only way to do a sport, forget the sport. Coaches, scout leaders, teachers, and even doctors are never supposed to be alone with a child. Until your kid is old enough to take care of himself alone with a doctor, you have to stay in the room.

I know of a dad who took his infant to the emergency room (wife was out of town). A nurse said she was taking the baby upstairs to do some test or something. The baby went missing. I don't know how it ended up. I do know the baby wasn't found before the wife came home. DON'T LET ANYONE take your baby where you're not!

I teach, and if one kid remains behind after all the rest have left, I have the kid leave and I keep the door open. That's a rule at my school. I don't want to be accused or even suspected of anything.

Wow. The kid told his principal and not his mom. Oh how sad for that poor kid. The agony during and after, over most of his life.

LOCK UP THAT MOFO SANDUSKY!!!

I can't stand it.