Child Abuse??

[photoqueen240]

My family has a tradition that we do every year to new members. It started when I was a kid, my dad and uncle would duct tape me, my cousins and brother and sister all together. I remember it fondly,as do my siblings and cousins and now that we're older, we do it to the younger ones. My kids have gotten it, my nieces........We even initiate the ones we marry into this. My brother and sister duct taped my husband the first christmas after we got married. My sis and I plan on doing it to our SIL this year.

But my uncle made a comment last weekend when we were planning my SIL's initiation that he is suprised someone hasn't called DHS and accused us of child abuse. I thought about it for awhile. Surely somoene wouldn't do thatt would they? I mean, its just a joke! My 7 year old even talks about it when he knows Uncle Frank(my DB) or Uncle Don(my uncle) will be in town.

[YoungMommy182]

lol okay? but ehy do u all do it? my family does crazy things like this too

[FooLynRoo]

Odd, not sure if its abuse..

[swampermom]

This is an act that is done if fun, correct? All members participating in the duct taping including the duct tapee are laughing and having a good time? Noone is crying, noone is freaking out, noone is being called names and left in their underwear outside? Noone is saying, "no!!!" ...

Sounds to me like a funny tradition and as long as everyone is a willing participant, I cannot imagine it being called abuse! Have fun with your SIL's initiation!

[tstaheli]

LOL I wouldn't think so :)

[photoqueen240]

We all do it! lol, its a family thing.

Just like our family can't have a family gathering with cake bc we end up using it in a food fight. Never actually eat it.....

Quoting YoungMommy182:

lol okay? but ehy do u all do it? my family does crazy things like this too

[nursetina]

If no one is being hurt or tormented then no I don't think its abuse.

[Nanny411]

Quoting FooLynRoo:

Odd, not sure if its abuse..

Yes, odd but not sure if I would consider it abuse can I ask if I may what the meaning is behind it as far as intiation...

Now I would be concerned depending on how old your child is if he started to tell someone other than family about it they make take it in a whole other light than a family member.

[NikiAnne]

Sounds completely fun and harmless to me. As long as it's done as a joke, the kids (or adults) who are being taped up know it's for fun and go along with it, they can breath still, they aren't left alone...what's the problem? Unfortunately, I could see someone going over the top and thinking it's child abuse. But I don't see how it could hold up. I think it sounds like a fun tradition!! 

[SeattleRainn]

Well, DCFS, CPS.. whatever your state calls it, can consider whatever they want to be "abuse or neglect" and make ones life hell over mundane crap.

I wouldn't worry about it though... if your house is clean, you don't use drugs, and kids are in school (if applies) then  they wont be able to prove "abuse" by a preponderance of evidence.

I say keep havin fun!