Greetings, Abby I know a single mother with a daughter who is four years old. The mother has a circadian rhythm issue and is depressed. They sleep till two or three in the afternoon and don’t go to bed until four or six in the morning. The child has no afternoon activities due to their sleep schedule. The young girl only received an hour or two of sunlight per day during the winter.
Due to their sleep schedule, the mother does not want her daughter to go to preschool. Her daughter will be negatively impacted by this. When she does go to school, her circadian cycle will be thrown off. Does this qualify as neglect? I am friends with the father, and he concurs that this is an issue. Are you able to provide recommendations? — OHIO BYSTANDER
Greetings, Bystander Indeed, this is regarded as neglect. The social and intellectual stimulation that children typically receive has not been given to that child. The father must intervene, take charge, and, if at all possible, enlist the grandparents’ assistance. Both depression and circadian rhythm disturbance can be treated medically, and the mother should be encouraged to attempt it, if only for her own sake.
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Abigail Van Buren, better known as Jeanne Phillips, is the author of Dear Abby. Her mother, Pauline Phillips, began the company. For more information, visit www.DearAbby.com or send an email to P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
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