[sundara]

For those so quick to judge, please give Bipette the benefit here - do you think she might already be able to predict some of his behaviors (e.g., that he would either chase the car or try to beat her to the bank on foot)?

My son runs to the same kid's house every time he has a big blowout with us. We don't "let" him runaway, but I sure as heck can predict when he most likely will try, and where I know he will go every time.

If you have every lived in a small town (as my husband did as a kid and we visit all the time - fewer than 900 people), you also know everyone & they all know you, your kids, everyone in town & for miles around, and sometimes even what your pet had for breakfast! And that includes not only who is working where now, but what jobs are coming up, who is most likely to get them because they know someone, etc.

Ispo facto, there is risk to leaving a 9 year old alone, and in many states it is illegal - but when you know he will chase you, and you know that everyone in town knows him, and you know they all know his issues, your issues, etc, etc, how much risk was really involved?

Point being, don't bash so quickly. Bipette was having a ROUGH day, and she shared it with us - I for one thank her for having the courage to talk about it, as it sounded so familiar to me as I am dealing with similar behaviors. I found it comforting to know that I am not alone - which is the point here, is it not?