No babysitting for your neighbours!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090930/ap_on_re_us/us_baby_sitter_backlash_mich

In the article linked above, a mom in Michigan has been told by the state to stop watching her neighbours' kids each morning before the school bus comes.  Her house is the stop for the bus, the kids have working parents, the mom doesn't charge and the kids are only there less than an hour.  The parents of the other kids babysit for her too, sometimes.  Its what friends and neighbours do.

So apparently, some other busy body neighbour decided to call the state and report her.  The Michigan Department of Human Services in turn sent her a cease and desist letter saying that it was illegal to keep non-related children for more than four weeks out of a year.  HUH????  They said if she was going to run a daycare center, she had to get a license, and apparently they tried to fine her.  She called to complain, they blew her off.

Then the media caught wind of the story and now its national news.  The governor of Michigan, Gov. Jennifer Granholm was told of the situation and like an intelligent person, went directly to the Director of the agency, Ismael Ahmed and told him to fix it.  State legistators are working to change this law.

In this day and age, in this economy, neighbours helping neighbours makes the absolute most sense, for all those involved- including the state.  Why the state?  Because when you work, you pay income taxes... to the state.  So duhhhh!


I feel terrible for this woman having to go through this.  And I hope they find out who reported her so her kids can go and egg their car.  There is being vigilant, and being a busy body.  Ugh!!!


In other news, hockey starts for real tomorrow.  My Caps are playing game one up in Boston against the Bruins.  While it would piss me off for a team to come to my home opener and beat my team.... I still hope the Caps win.  Our home opener is Saturday.  Man I can't wait.