Student Reports Alcoholic mom

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2009

Oh man. I am in your specialty, not OB but I saw this title and had to read it. Have you considered a CPS report. My prayers are with ALL of them, this is so sad.

PICNICRN, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2009

Well, the teacher whom the child reported the substance abuse to should have already made a CPS referal if they were doing what they were supposed to. However, if they did not, you should. Now, CPS will not investigate on the side of the unborn but on the side of the child who did the reporting.... in turn, they can notify the OB of the situation(if they do not already know) and then hopefully refer the mom for treatment- in a perfect world that is.

Sure the child could report this to the OB themselves- no law against that. My advise.... report to CPS and let them open a case. Don't leave it to the child to handle it- no child should have to deal with this.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2009

I agree and add not to leave it to the teacher to report. Unfortunately at my school, I have seen many cases go unreported by teachers who DO know better but for whatever reason they do not want to report.

Atheos · Apr 9, 2009

Is being an alcoholic parent reportable to CPS?

I was under the impression that only neglect and abuse was reportable. Will CPS even touch this if no neglect or abuse is reported???

morte, LPN, LVN · Apr 9, 2009

Is being an alcoholic parent reportable to CPS?
I was under the impression that only neglect and abuse was reportable. Will CPS even touch this if no neglect or abuse is reported???

my thought as well, and we only have the students opinion on the mother's status....does this student have issues with the mom and is trying to get back at her? etc

Scooter5 · Apr 9, 2009

In my experience, an allegation of alcohol is not enough for the report to be accepted. The report must also allege something else, even if it is minimal such as Inadequate Guardianship of the high school student. In my state they will not consider an unborn child, but they will counsel the mother about drinking while she is pregnant. The CPS worker or the high school student herself can call the Primary Care Physician and report mom is drinking. The physician can receive the information, but due to confidentiality, he will probably not offer much inforation back. But at least he/she will be advised. After the baby is delivered if FAS is evident, then something can be done. Too bad, then the damage may be done.

APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Apr 9, 2009

my thought as well, and we only have the students opinion on the mother's status....does this student have issues with the mom and is trying to get back at her? etc

My 5 year old daughter (A Kindergartner) - (this was MANY years ago............) reported me to her teacher for abuse. A "meeting" with a Social Worker was held at the school with daughter without my being aware of it.

We lived in 'Small Town Midwest'.

Upon further investigation, it came to light that my daughter was mad at me for punishing her the evening before that day of school. My daughter was over at her friends house playing, and came running home to get some of her toys to take back over there. I would not let her run back across the street in her bare feet to see her friend that lived across the street from us. Please note, that there was two feet of snow on the ground and the temperature was freezing outside. (She had an extra pair on the mud-porch she could have put on.)

When she refused to put on her socks and snowshoes, I refused to let her go back across the street, and grounded her to her room until she either decided to comply with the rules, or Suppertime came around. She was VERY upset with me (GOODNESS SAKES....she was only FIVE years old!!), but she was a very stubborn child.

All it took was for her to say "My Mom abuses me!!" to one of the teachers at school.

I got a HUGE apology from the Principal afterwards.

My daughter always was a little whippersnapper................. She states that she can't remember that incident now.

morte, LPN, LVN · Apr 9, 2009

My 5 year old daughter (A Kindergartner) - (this was MANY years ago............) reported me to her teacher for abuse. A "meeting" with a Social Worker was held at the school with daughter without my being aware of it.
We lived in 'Small Town Midwest'.
Upon further investigation, it came to light that my daughter was mad at me for punishing her the evening before that day of school. My daughter was over at her friends house playing, and came running home to get some of her toys to take back over there. I would not let her run back across the street in her bare feet to see her friend that lived across the street from us. Please note, that there was two feet of snow on the ground and the temperature was freezing outside. (She had an extra pair on the mud-porch she could have put on.)
When she refused to put on her socks and snowshoes, I refused to let her go back across the street, and grounded her to her room until she either decided to comply with the rules, or Suppertime came around. She was VERY upset with me (GOODNESS SAKES....she was only FIVE years old!!), but she was a very stubborn child.
All it took was for her to say "My Mom abuses me!!" to one of the teachers at school.
I got a HUGE apology from the Principal afterwards.
My daughter always was a little whippersnapper................. She states that she can't remember that incident now.

yup, just think what a ticked off adolescet could come up with!!

ann945n, RN · Apr 10, 2009

As I understand CPS will no act on a complaint about a fetus. Also consider the source. Perhaps the mother has a glass of wine every few nights.... not that I would consider that okay but still....

vashtee, RN · Apr 10, 2009

When asked what his parent's hobbies were, my son told his 3rd grade teacher that his mom "liked to drink wine" because I attended a once-per-month wine-tasting event. Good thing I knew the teacher well!

Calibean · Apr 10, 2009

Not sure if this is an option in your area, but this is the type of thing that I would definately refer to the county's public health nurses. I would go ahead and file a CPS as well.