Wow - that is pretty extreme. As teachers, we are required by law to report suspected abuse. But the only times I've reported were things like cigarette burns or scratches all over the child's back - stuff llike that where I'm really quite certain abuse has happened. But peeing their pants?? Gads no! If I had to report that, I'd have reported a whole lotta kids - including my own!!
I was a mandatory reporter when I was a teacher, before kids too. These are just such odd things to be reporting. And she is openly talking about it in public, where others can hear her and even were a part of the conversation. I would fear her coming in to my home. I started to say my son had accidents past that age, but she quickly came back with "but he had health problems." I dropped it at that point. I had said previously that one of my son's had been in the NICU and I realized, she was not someone I wanted to have details on my personal life. My 7 yr old is in public school and suddenly started having accidents recently. He had 2 accidents. Apparently, by the time he got to the bathroom, he could not undo his belt. The other time, he just was not given permission to go to the bathroom soon enough. I am definitely keeping my distance. When she calls next, I am just going to keep the convo non personal and then be busy. I will use the holidays as an excuse and hope to not hear from her after that.
I think I would ask her if she has ever been afraid that the parents might begin to think she is reporting the parents to deflect the problems resulting in her own classroom and call for an investigation on her. Unless she has some serious boundary issues--which she may--I am sure she will begin to feel just as uneasy about being with you.
uh.. no, and I am a friend to eveyrone, the two reasons you stated would not have warrented anyone calling CPS, and would have made the CPS peoples laugh at her.. poor lady she must be young and just working otu what they taught her...
I would not be so sure. The biggest problem with CPS is inconsistency and absolute power with no oversight. The same things one teacher finds as normal, but can tip another towards abuse, are the same things one case worker finds as "normal" problems and another there-must-be-abuse-involved-so-I'll-leave-no-stone-unturned. I have seen way too many children left with parents when abuse was obvious and too many children taken from families when there was a medical reason or it was just a typical problem, sadly some of them experiencing abuse for the first time at the hands of their foster parents. Thankfully some people are appropriately helped or left alone in between these two extremes on the spectrum, but when CPS messes up....it becomes the abuser.
I only read the initial post, but I'd say, "Stay away". Sadly, she probably is convinced she's doing the right thing and is so dumbed-down she doesn't know any better. It's a shame that the consequence for her ignorance is that decent families have to be harassed and traumatized. Personally, I hope that karma comes back to kick this lady and others like her in the arse.
Now that I've had a couple of minutes to rant about this in my mind, I'd like to add that TRUTHFULLY--and I mean I'd really say this because after the year I've had I don't care what people think about me anymore--, I'd probably say to her, "You know, it really bothers me that you reported those families for those reasons. I know you can't possibly understand what it's really like to be a parent, but did you ever stop to think that potty training has all sorts of normal set backs and that maybe it's just really hard for a busy mom to make sure homework gets done? You seem like a nice person otherwise, and you've been nice to me, but you really should be ashamed of yourself and I hope you rethink these things in the future. You owe those families an apology for what you did to them, but I don't think you should necessarily admit to them that it was you who reported them because they'd have all the right in the world to totally rip your head off. I only hope that if you ever end up being a parent some day, you'll realize how out of line you were and that you'll truly feel remorseful." Of course, you'd risk her pulling this BS on you if she wanted to be vengeful. But I really am being honest when I say that I'd say this because I think these people need to have it pointed out how ignorant they are and they need to be very clearly shamed for possessing a brand of ignorance that is so harmful to families and children. Now that I've thought about it, I almost hope I come across someone like this soon so I can give them a piece of my mind!
Yikes! I just re-read my first post, which I wrote when I was very wound up about something and had sat down at the computer to unwind! By no means did I mean to imply that trouble conceiving would be the result of "bad karma". Just wanted to say that in case anyone took it that way. I was just firing off a spur-of-the-moment attack because this topic really touched a personal nerve.
I know what you mean by feeling like the infertility could be related to the kind of person she is. I am going through infertility which is why we were both at the same doctor so often, going through IF treatments. But I still find myself looking at certain people who are unable to conceive and wonder if their attitudes are related. Did you know you can edit your post if you want to take that part of your post out?
I forgot about that feature. I think I'll do it because I certainly didn't mean to seriously imply anything like that!
Hmm, one side I didnt think about is that it would all come out hopefully if it was a problem family, and if not then we can pray it worked out for hte best right?
It is sad that because of the state the world is in, people feel the need to jump to conclusions on every little thing. This is a perfect example of someone going strictly by the book and not using their common sense along with it. Not saying going by the book is a bad thing, but sometimes people take that 'book' too far to the extreme and don't use their common sense along with it. Those two examples alone are not enough to call CPS on. Ditto to what Amy said...once she has her own child I hope she opens her eyes and brain a little more. She is in for a very rude awakening. I agree with the majority. I would feel very uncomfortable being around her. I do think someone needs to be honest with her though, and tell her she needs to get a clue. OH NO...I forgot to put Tanner's water bottle back in his bag for school today (the kids keep them at their desks throughout the day)...now he's going to have to use the...GASP...bubbler to get a drink of water (AKA water fountain to some of you). OH NO, CALL CPS!!!! haha.
