Seems parents aren't parenting

[Feral.Cat.Herder]

Has anyone else noticed parents are becoming more irresponsible? This year I've had a 2nd grader whose parents do not give his insulin after breakfast so by 8:30 his GCM is alarming d/t high BG reading (they give him a McGriddle every am on the way to school), he is a very picky eater and won't eat at school so we deal with lo BG after lunch. I've suggested packing a lunch, but have yet to see him bring one. A 4th grade diabetic with a pump comes to school with no insulin in the cartridge, and of course all phone calls go straight to voice mail with no return calls. That's on top of the little darlings that come to the clinic with true vomiting, hi temps or BAs and contact #s have been changed, they're not taking calls at this time or goes straight to voice mail. I've sent the SRO to their homes, yet there's no answer at the door either. Is anyone else dealing with this?

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I do actually know how I would not behave. I would never under any circumstances threaten anyone with CPS. I would simply call when it was warranted. I would never threaten anyone with the police for not returning my phone call within 2 hours.

If you called the division in my state for this ******** they would give you a serious talking to. Repeated moves like this might result in disciplinary action against you.

So i'm just clarifying that you think it's appropriate for a call not to be returned for over 2 hours. And i'm just clarifying that you think it's appropriate that you'd think that a child have to sit and wait with something that it urgent, but possibly not emergent (perhaps like the example that Olddude gave like a potential fracture) for 2 hours or a rising fever into the 103 or 104 range. Yes - the tipping point comes that i'll just say to hell with it and call EMS, but that probably wouldn't make a parent who is willing to wait 2 hours before even returning my call happy.

No school nurse expects that you are waiting by your phone staring at it all day in trembling anticipation that there may be an issue. Most of the time there are no issues. Most of my days are not filled with EMS calls - but be assured, there are plenty of them in an average school year. If you have the type of job that you can't answer the phone and you can't leave - that's fine. We get it. But all we ask is to have a back up plan.

It doesn't have to be family. It can be another mom from scouts. It can be a neighbor. It can be whomever - as long as you let us know.

And yes - if I have a pattern of what I view as neglect, not coming to pick up your child, sending your child in sick or injured, ect I am going to report it. I have to. It's called being a mandated reporter. I am legally obligated to in this state.

If you think you're going to scare me by threatening disciplinary action for me doing my job, please... try again. I will do what I have been trained to do to advocate for and protect the children under my watch. What type of disciplinary action do you think you can bring to about to someone doing their job properly?

[SnowyJ, RN]

YES!!! I think a lot has to do with how you view CPS. They are not the "Big Bad Wolf." Key word is PROTECTIVE.

I've had a number of families helped by CPS. One had a broken furnace and had no luck alone through social services.

Another had broken water pipes and no running water.CPS got the ball rolling and got it fixed.

Both of these families had various psycho-social issues and felt overwhelmed. Often WE don't know what mitigating circumstances may be in play. CPS caseworkers can be the first line to direct help for our families. For others, admittedly, the awareness that CPS may be called can be motivating and cause them to step up if complacency has set in.

Bottom line, whatever it takes to keep our children safe. That is what matters. If someone's delicate sensibilities are upset because they are worried CPS may be called, maybe that is their first clue to get their act together. Or allow the help.

[Nurse Leigh]

This actually did lead to the family getting extra help and services through the community. This child has a lot of issues and the family is/was overwhelmed and had absolutely no idea how to deal his complex needs (8+ daily meds given at different times throughout the day, NO education about the importance of sticking to the regimen strictly, learning the hard way that not all the meds are regularly stocked and refills needed to be done prior to running out, etc.). He has been hospitalized several times this school year, and with previous discharges, they were simply handed scripts and referrals and after which NO FOLLOW UP or access to ongoing services (that is another rant). This is a very poor and under- educated family. After this incident we had a meeting and coupled them up with an organization that is doing family counseling (they come to their home), individual counseling (they come see him at school) and financial resources to make sure they can actually pay for the meds and treatment (another reason some of his meds weren't being refilled). He is also now receiving more services in school.

Even though some parents thing their job ends when they drop their kids off at school- I don't feel like my ends when the child goes home... I feel good about helping this family reach the help they so desperately need.

Seriously?

More evidence we as a society need to embrace the idea of increasing funding for both public school systems and community health organizations.

Having a child diagnosed with an illness, injury, or disability (psychological, social, emotional, physical or whatever) would be difficult under the best of circumstances. Trying to navigate that with the added stressors of un-/under-educated or poor families, or those with little to no stability can make it a virtual minefield.

I wish we would realize the need to intervene in some of these situations to provide education, transportation, funding, or even just emotional support. It will help society as a whole in the long run and give these children and families a fighting chance.

Sorry for the hijack. I know I may be preaching to the choir here. Just know you are all heroes in your own right even if others fight you and just don't see it. *off soapbox*

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

Seriously?

More evidence we as a society need to embrace the idea of increasing funding for both public school systems and community health organizations.

Having a child diagnosed with an illness, injury, or disability (psychological, social, emotional, physical or whatever) would be difficult under the best of circumstances. Trying to navigate that with the added stressors of un-/under-educated or poor families, or those with little to no stability can make it a virtual minefield.

I wish we would realize the need to intervene in some of these situations to provide education, transportation, funding, or even just emotional support. It will help society as a whole in the long run and give these children and families a fighting chance.

Sorry for the hijack. I know I may be preaching to the choir here. Just know you are all heroes in your own right even if others fight you and just don't see it. *off soapbox*

You're right, the safety net has been taken away, but why is it that we always, as a society, have to look for public sources. We functioned very well pre-1950's with extended nuclear family and religious aid. My wife was raised by a single mother whose family paid for them to live a comfortable life and mom not have to work to care for her daughter. That is virtually non existent these days. Me centered living has invaded our world. Just a counter point, sorry.

[Dany102]

YES!!! I think a lot has to do with how you view CPS. They are not the "Big Bad Wolf." Key word is PROTECTIVE.

I've had a number of families helped by CPS. One had a broken furnace and had no luck alone through social services.

Another had broken water pipes and no running water.CPS got the ball rolling and got it fixed.

Both of these families had various psycho-social issues and felt overwhelmed. Often WE don't know what mitigating circumstances may be in play. CPS caseworkers can be the first line to direct help for our families. For others, admittedly, the awareness that CPS may be called can be motivating and cause them to step up if complacency has set in.

Bottom line, whatever it takes to keep our children safe. That is what matters. If someone's delicate sensibilities are upset because they are worried CPS may be called, maybe that is their first clue to get their act together. Or allow the help.

I agree with you that CPS may not be the big bad wolf, but there is another side to this which appears to have been ignored. For having experienced dealing with CPS as a youngster myself as well as seeing the same thing happen with my sister (with her kid), there is a stigma - a rather strong one - associated with involvement with CPS.

This stigma, or shame really, doesn't go away even if CPS workers leave with no action required. I have heard people compare this to the upheavals a teacher would face when falsely accused of anything inappropriate (say sex abuse). People talk, they always do. Friends, relatives, neighbors, coworkers it doesn't matter.

Doing what is right is commendable, but one should always consider all the consequences. Living with the label "CPS case child" is not something I will wish on anyone.

Dany

[Farawyn]

Following.

[Farawyn]

So i'm just clarifying that you think it's appropriate for a call not to be returned for over 2 hours. And i'm just clarifying that you think it's appropriate that you'd think that a child have to sit and wait with something that it urgent, but possibly not emergent (perhaps like the example that Olddude gave like a potential fracture) for 2 hours or a rising fever into the 103 or 104 range. Yes - the tipping point comes that i'll just say to hell with it and call EMS, but that probably wouldn't make a parent who is willing to wait 2 hours before even returning my call happy.

No school nurse expects that you are waiting by your phone staring at it all day in trembling anticipation that there may be an issue. Most of the time there are no issues. Most of my days are not filled with EMS calls - but be assured, there are plenty of them in an average school year. If you have the type of job that you can't answer the phone and you can't leave - that's fine. We get it. But all we ask is to have a back up plan.

It doesn't have to be family. It can be another mom from scouts. It can be a neighbor. It can be whomever - as long as you let us know.

And yes - if I have a pattern of what I view as neglect, not coming to pick up your child, sending your child in sick or injured, ect I am going to report it. I have to. It's called being a mandated reporter. I am legally obligated to in this state.

If you think you're going to scare me by threatening disciplinary action for me doing my job, please... try again. I will do what I have been trained to do to advocate for and protect the children under my watch. What type of disciplinary action do you think you can bring to about to someone doing their job properly?

Like squared. Cubed, even.

[mc3, ASN, RN]

You're so mean, Mr Nurse! 😉

[Farawyn]

You're so mean, Mr Nurse! [emoji6]

[emoji7]

[OldDude]

You're so mean, Mr Nurse! ������

tough love...pays off

[Farawyn]

tough love...pays off

Yes. I agree.

[Feral.Cat.Herder, RN]

Sounds familiar! SMH