Seems parents aren't parenting

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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?

Not exactly the thread topic, but as an ER nurse, we often have parents bring in kids to have us medicate them. "They won't take it for me". Are you kidding, who's running the show?

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I am an RN, Certified Diabetes Educator and work in a hospital setting. I do have a child in school and understand your concerns about not being able to reach parents. When I fill out all the required forms when school starts, they always have a line for the MD's name and phone number followed by something to the effect of which hospital do you prefer your child be taken to in the event of an emergency? I would think this constitutes an emergency situation You don't need a child going into DKA at school!

Perhaps you could include in case we are unable to contact you. This might cover the situation.

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Not exactly the thread topic, but as an ER nurse, we often have parents bring in kids to have us medicate them. "They won't take it for me". Are you kidding, who's running the show?

"Are the kids running the show?"

*Shaking my Magic 8 Ball*

"It is decidedly so."

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Not exactly the thread topic, but as an ER nurse, we often have parents bring in kids to have us medicate them. "They won't take it for me". Are you kidding, who's running the show?

Just about every year I have one student where I give the 0800 dose of meds because the parents can't get the kid to take it at home - but takes it fine for me.

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Just about every year I have one student where I give the 0800 dose of meds because the parents can't get the kid to take it at home - but takes it fine for me.

I refused to do this earlier this year. I cited lost instructional time for a student that the mom said was taking 15 minutes to try to take one antibiotic pill

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Dany,

While I understand what you are saying, keep in mind that CPS calls should not be considered punitive. AND our county CPS will not even take the report if it does not seem to have merit.

So while I am sorry for your experience as a child, there are times CPS is necessary. I do not call indiscriminately, I always try all other avenues first.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
Dany,

While I understand what you are saying, keep in mind that CPS calls should not be considered punitive. AND our county CPS will not even take the report if it does not seem to have merit.

So while I am sorry for your experience as a child, there are times CPS is necessary. I do not call indiscriminately, I always try all other avenues first.

Ohhhhh...worse than having CPS being called on you is letting the word get out your child has head lice.:blink:

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Dany,

While I understand what you are saying, keep in mind that CPS calls should not be considered punitive. AND our county CPS will not even take the report if it does not seem to have merit.

So while I am sorry for your experience as a child, there are times CPS is necessary. I do not call indiscriminately, I always try all other avenues first.

I agree with Snowy 100%. The only time I saw someone mad we called CPS was the parents who couldn't rape/abuse or use or exploit their kids anymore.

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Forgot to add...

Calls to CPS are confidential. You can't be the "CPS parent" unless you go and tell your friends, neighbors, people in line at 7-11, etc. Don't tell, and you won't have the stigma.

Even children don't have to know it is CPS. At school we never say "CPS" to a child. We say social worker or whatever title the person has if they come to school to interview a child. I have never seen a child upset by the interview. It is usually done with much care.

I am of the belief that there is a lot of over-sharing involved with CPS. Especially with the kids.

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Dany,

While I understand what you are saying, keep in mind that CPS calls should not be considered punitive. AND our county CPS will not even take the report if it does not seem to have merit.

So while I am sorry for your experience as a child, there are times CPS is necessary. I do not call indiscriminately, I always try all other avenues first.

I understand what you are saying SnowyJ, and rest assured I am not accusing you of anything. My point was only that in some circumstances , having CPS involved in a family can have far more reaching consequences then making sure a child is safe.

In my situation, as well as my sister's, there were only allegations made by a well meaning third party. To this day, my sister certainly has no lost love toward CPS. And I can't say that I blame her for it. They made her and her family's life a nightmare for almost a month. CPS here has a very heavy-handed approach and they often threaten parents. All this, the shame, the embarrassment of having to explain to friends and neighbors (because her case workers also talked to them. And other people as well). The irony being that it was all for nothing. Unfounded allegations. But it took a while for my sister to clear her name.

I would certainly urge caution before deciding to sent CPS after a family. Or use them as a prodding stick. It is not pleasant, believe me.

Dany

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I agree with Snowy 100%. The only time I saw someone mad we called CPS was the parents who couldn't rape/abuse or use or exploit their kids anymore.

Farawyn,

My own parents and my sister would disagree with you on that. And yet no one was raped / abused or even exploited.

Dany

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Farawyn,

My own parents and my sister would disagree with you on that. And yet no one was raped / abused or even exploited.

Dany

I'm happy for that.

I don't call CPS on a whim, but if I think a child is being compromised, I will call.

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