Dependence on maids

The story about the Indonesian maid who struck and shook a six-month-old girl in her care emphasizes the need to educate caregivers not only about the danger of shaking young children, but about ways to cope with crying and frustration. Shaking can injure children as old as 5 years of age. Even if the injuries are not life threatening, they can result in learning disabilities and other subtle forms of disability that are not immediately detected.

In this case it is troublesome that the defense could even offer the contention that the maid used "light violence" to stop the baby from crying. The maid simply attacked the baby because she was frustrated and angry. They're both lucky that serious injuries were apparently avoided, but the parents of the baby will not know for years whether the baby was as lucky as it appears. Education about the need to cope with that frustration -- by simply walking away, if need be -- can prevent injury.

Parents need to know that they must give those who care for their child the license to call them when they need relief. Parents can protect their children if they know the danger, and know how to talk to caregivers.

GEORGE LITHCO Poughkeepsie, New York