An all too common story unfortunately...
SOME children do take their little one/s for granted and it is good that you are waiting to see the outcome of this situation so you are on hand to offer a new home if required.
You may find when challenged the kids do not want to let the hamster go but hopefully their parents will be realisitic and understand it is for the best.
I get a large number of adults contacting me to say their children are pestering them to get a dog and they just are not up to the commitment that entails so they have decided to get them a hamster instead. Sometimes in secret and I think this is just a recipe for this kind of situation to arise. Hamsters need commitment too! They may be left for a weekend away if necessary but in everyday living they do need an element of daily care to keep them happy and healthy.
I always like the youngster to come and visit the hamstery and see him/her interact with my little ones. All are hand tame and socialised but it is important to demonstrate good handling skills, and it also helps ascertain if this is just a fad or not.
All hamsters that I part with go with the reassurance that if for any reason at all they can no longer accomodate it in their lives I will happily take it back, no questions asked if they prefer. More pet stores should do this as otherwise some poor hamsters out there are living out their lives with hardly any interaction. Maybe once a day if they are lucky enough someone remembers to feed them.
Only a few filter back to the pet rescue centres and it is always sad to see adverts for 3 month or 6 month old hamsters with full setups going cheap or free just to get rid of them. It would not be the first time I have waited a couple of weeks and then bought up these unwanted hamsters and tried to find them more permanent homes, rather than see them languish on a shelf unloved.
I wish parents would realise they may be short lived but 2 sometimes more years is a long time to a child and a lifetime to a hamster! I actually think an older hamster is often better for a child's pet than a baby hamster - they are generally more stable and if they have been handled and socialised well more able for the child to relate to quicker. The fear of being bitten or the hamster jumping out of their hands can be quite off putting to a novice owner. If a child cannot touch its pet I think the interest is more quick to wear off.