When is a single mother likely not considered neglectful in caring for her two-year-old?

The most relevant context for understanding when a single mother would not be considered neglectful in caring for her two-year-old revolves around the direct actions she takes regarding the child's immediate needs. In this case, if the child is fed, changed, and safely put to sleep before her departure, it indicates that the mother is meeting the fundamental care requirements for a toddler.

Neglect is typically defined by the failure to provide necessary care or protection to a child. Here, by ensuring that the child is fed, changed, and safely asleep, she demonstrates that she is taking responsibility for her child's well-being and ensuring that their basic needs are met. This level of preparation and care implies that the child is being adequately cared for in the mother's absence, which counters claims of neglect.

Options like having familial support or working during the day, while potentially positive influences, do not directly address the immediate caregiving actions taken before the mother's departure. Returning home to check on the child could show attentiveness but does not illustrate how the child was cared for prior to her leaving. The most definitive measure of her neglectfulness is directly related to whether she has provided for her child's essential needs at the time she leaves. Thus, ensuring the child is cared for by feeding, changing,