I think even considering using a box instead of a crib in the states may get you a visit from child protective services, or at least looks of disgust from your family or in-laws. Does anyone have experience trying this out?
> It does not matter how ridiculous or false a claim may be. When an investigator receives the referral, they are legally obligated to investigate.
It only takes a judgmental busybody to get a visit from CPS. Then you better pray CPS doesn't find fault with you. And it helps if you're white:
https://www.parents.com/news/cps-has-a-systemic-racism-probl...
I agree that CPS is extraordinarily unlikely to take your kids away "on a whim". And yet, that doesn't mean that innocent folks have nothing to fear from a CPS visit.
The first article clearly shows that CPS will visit for any report at all, no matter how bogus or bizarre. There are controls in place to thwart repeated harassment, but for a first report, they will definitely investigate because they are legally obligated to do so.
And since the original issue was whether you might get a visit for putting your kid in a cardboard box, the answer is plainly "yes".
The follow-on question is whether that visit, investigating a stupid, bogus report, might get your kids taken away. That is going to depend on the judgment of the CPS investigator. And the second article illustrates that those judgements are not always going to be evenhanded.
Fair point. I've just heard so many people make that argument (that your kids will be taken away by the government) that I filled in the blanks.
You're absolutely correct in terms of "getting a visit", and your links back that up.
Everybody in finland?
The baby box is a blessing for many families, and it's also much more than the box (which btw. is not a cheap piece of cardboard but comes complete with an insulated mattress and bedding made of high quality materials): there are clothes, diapers, hygienic goods, etc.
And last but not least, it's also a strong symbolic gesture: Society saying: "Don't worry, we got your back. You're not alone, we are all in this together, and we help each other."
Perhaps, the US version would need some nubs, or formed legs or other thing to come with the box...
Frankly, when my spouse and I first heard about this, we thought the idea was fantastic.