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?

[SnowyJ, RN]

I will put it this way...My Principal is very anti-CPS. He hates if a call is made. He also hates if we try to help before making a call. He once told a teacher and I we should "apologize" to a parent because the teacher and I had both reached out to Mom with some serious concerns, and then mom felt "harassed." My exact words to him were:

"The day I have to apologize for advocating for a child in potential danger is the day you will have my resignation letter on your desk."

And that pretty much sums it up for me.

[Farawyn]

I will put it this way...My Principal is very anti-CPS. He hates if a call is made. He also hates if we try to help before making a call. He once told a teacher and I we should "apologize" to a parent because the teacher and I had both reached out to Mom with some serious concerns, and then mom felt "harassed." My exact words to him were:

"The day I have to apologize for advocating for a child in potential danger is the day you will have my resignation letter on your desk."

And that pretty much sums it up for me.

And this is why we love you. And this is why we "get" each other.

[NurseNeLz]

Just the fact that they are giving their diabetic child a Mcgriddle every morning bothers me....

[nancy nurse 1]

It's OK to let your sick child sit for hours with no parent around caring for him? Really? Did you just say that? Outrageous! If a person chooses to have a child, that child should be the number one priority in that person's life. At minimum, its your responsibility, not the school's, to take care of your sick child. Of course, love should enter the picture. I've seen so many kids get pushed off on the school for the basics like being cared for while sick that I couldn't stomach it any more and left school nursing all together.

[SnowyJ, RN]

And this is why we love you. And this is why we "get" each other.

Yes, Far! Back at ya.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

As a first year nursing student, you seemingly have a lot of knowledge of how your state child protection services work. Did you work in another type of job prior to nursing school where you had frequent contact with them? Just curious.

Yes, I worked in mental health. My state has a top notch division. And I'm not a first year nursing student, but that's okay.

In our state, every call is investigated. And they respond within hours. Investigators work 24 hour shifts. If you call for ******** like you hate your neighbor or someone didn't call you back when you wanted, you are playing games with a very important resource. An investigator may not sleep because of your nonsense. There is some trauma to the family as well, even though investigators work very hard to minimize that.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

There has been a lot of input here. But has this thread changed your mind in any way, shape, matter, or form, as it relates to your original post?

No, it hasn't. My points are simple.

1. Under no circumstances should anyone ever threaten a call to cps or similar division. There can be no good outcome from this behavior. It does not protect children. It strains the relationship between the parent and the person making the threat. If you want to help a child, this is the worst thing you can do. If you suspect abuse or neglect, just call.

2. There could be many, many reasons why a good parent does not return a phone call in 2 hours.

And that's all. I haven't changed my mind about those two things.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

No, it hasn't. My points are simple.

1. Under no circumstances should anyone ever threaten a call to cps or similar division. There can be no good outcome from this behavior. It does not protect children. It strains the relationship between the parent and the person making the threat. If you want to help a child, this is the worst thing you can do. If you suspect abuse or neglect, just call.

2. There could be many, many reasons why a good parent does not return a phone call in 2 hours.

And that's all. I haven't changed my mind about those two things.

You've still failed to present how you'd handle the multiple situations presented to you. Do you even have children?? As a parent, I can't imagine being so blase about the well being of my children while they are in the care of others.

[SnowyJ, RN]

Yes, do tell...

I feel this is a huge part of the issue. The thought that when the school bell rings, the responsibility for parenting ends for the day. It's total BS. If you bring a child into this world, it is a 24/7 responsibility. PERIOD. if you can't be there, be damn sure you have designated someone who can. And I am not talking about a school employee.

It's not that hard. And it's necessary, not optional.

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

No, it hasn't. My points are simple.

1. Under no circumstances should anyone ever threaten a call to cps or similar division. There can be no good outcome from this behavior. It does not protect children. It strains the relationship between the parent and the person making the threat. If you want to help a child, this is the worst thing you can do. If you suspect abuse or neglect, just call.

2. There could be many, many reasons why a good parent does not return a phone call in 2 hours.

And that's all. I haven't changed my mind about those two things.

To be blunt, you ARE the problem. We, as a group, have committed ourselves to serving children, and you don't get that being unavailable in an age when even employers demand that you be available when not there is exactly the mindset that brings us to have to go to these extremes. You keep bird dogging on the word threat, these are not threats, they will be followed up on, and CPS will most likely investigate, as this is neglect.

[SnowyJ, RN]

To be blunt, you ARE the problem.

Pretty much sums it up. Anyone who thinks being "unavailable" for two hours when their child is injured or sick needs to seriously re-evaluate their priorities. It is neglectful.

[abc123RN]

Tried to reach parents for a little sick one today, called SEVEN phone numbers!! Got the same message with each number, "number is no longer in service" Seven adults in this kids life and all seven neglected to notify the school of new phone numbers. None of the them work so I can't even call a work place to contact them. Thankfully it is only a minor thing and I wasn't doing CPR on the kid!!