Accidents/Change of clothes

[nyy2]

I had a kindergarten student today who didn't wipe well enough after a bowel movement and the teacher called me to the class to help her. She had some smeared in her underwear so we had her remove them and put pants back on (nothing at all on pants). I called mom, who was at work. She said she will try to have someone bring underwear and if they are unable she will have to go commando for the rest of the day (this was at lunch time)

She is a single working mother of 3 kids, so I understand. I've had kids go commando a few times before because my supplies are very limited and they don't often send in extra clothes. But this teacher is distraught nobody has brought underwear and called the principal, who was then going to call mom.

I didn't think this was such a huge deal....wondering what you all do in these cases?

[BeckyESRN]

That teacher needs to back off. Nobody has ever died from going commando, plenty of people are without undies by choice on a daily basis.

[Eleven011]

To be honest, my 5th grade son has an aversion to underwear and goes commando most days. I don't see a problem with it on this one occasion as long as the student isn't upset by it.

[nyy2]

Thank you for your input. I didn't think it was such a big deal..but some of these teachers make me feel like I am crazy!

[nursetlm, ADN]

Are you guys "allowed" to help those who have had accidents? Aside from our special education students- our students must be able to self-toilet and all kids must have a change of clothes in their backpacks at all times. (KG and 1st.) They change themselves in their own classroom bathrooms. I usually don't see them. (Unless it's a diarrhea situation.) I was advised that I was not able to help them toilet- I was to call a parent to come up. Just curious.

[momto5RN]

Oh how I love teachers like that! I have had a good share of the younger grades having accidents lately. My extra clothes stash is limited as well and I do the same as you, I let the parent and teacher know that they may go without underwear because most of the sizes I have are for the preschool group that we have at the school. Parents usually don't seem to mind. But what can you do. At least they were changed right.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

This teacher needs to get over herself. I will say that there is a charity that donates brand new undies at the beginning and mid-year for this reason so I'd have given her some undies and life would have gone on... I have also purchased undies (when I run out) because it's so much easier just to given them what they need and get them back in class rather than deal with neurotic teachers and parents who can't get away or be reached.

[OldDude]

At the beginning of the school year I send out a paper, in the first day packet, informing parents we don't keep extra clothing at school. In the same paper I advise parents to send extra clothing to school to be kept in the child's locker for instances of potty accidents, bloody noses, playground mud, ripped pants, and cafeteria spills. In the same paper I inform parents they will be called to come to school if their child has occasion to need a change of clothing and there is no extra clothing at school. I don't do potty accidents...end of story. I call parents to do potty accidents if there is no extra clothing or the child is not capable of toileting themselves. Potty accidents are not life threatening. A child's allegation of you doing something inappropriate while exposing and or touching their genitalia could be a personal and professional disaster; considering, nowadays, in such accusations, you are guilty until you prove yourself innocent. Even if you prove yourself innocent irreparable damage to your reputation and career can occur.

I don't do potty accidents. I advise all of you to practice the same.

[GmaPearl BSN RN]

"Nobody has ever died from going commando"

Good to go on a T-Shirt, me thinks :)

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

I'm the opposite- every weekend I hit up the Dollar Store for a different size pack of undies. (sixes are the quickest to go) It's the spare pants that are a problem. I can't afford to be buying those, and precious few parents of kids who have accidents send extras. Sometimes it's just a "leakage" problem and the underwear is all that's needed. But then there are the Niagra Falls accidents...

[nyy2]

I don't routinely do it, but if it's a real mess I will if they ask for assistance. This is my 3rd year, so I haven't had to do it more than a handful of times. I'm in a pretty small district and we have little continuity with protocols/procedures - the one nurse says well you can't leave them in poo if the parent doesn't answer - while the other says heck no I'm not touching that.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I have a limited supply of clothing. I don't wipe tushies, but i will be more than happy to lend a kiddo my bathroom and even give them some flushable wipes so they can better complete the job. Since my clothing doesn't often see it's way back, most of my clothing is my daughter's old clothing, carefully selected to be the most gender neutral and her out grown undies. I have a whole box, in fact, of clean but gently used undies that were either my daughters or belonged to my co-workers children. We have a running joke around here that I'm always asking for little kid underpants and if taken out of context it would look like i should be on some sort of list but that it's just for kids who need a change of clothes!! But exciting news - i found disposable undies at school health that look like undies. So i can look less weird! ha ha

The rest of my stunning wardrobe is hand me down basketball type shorts to cover up daisey dukes and lend a hand should a certain monthly visitor arrive early and DARE t-shirts given to me by the PD.