Is this a bad mother?

Question

Okay, I have a daycare and one of the parents wanted us to give cough medicine to her 1yo daughter(if she was coughing). Then when she came to pick her up she asked if she had any and we said no that she hasnt been coughing. She said she still wanted us to give it to her(even if she didnt NEED it). Plus this cough medicine if for children 6 and up and wanted us to give her the dose for a SIX year old. My doctor told me that a one year shouldn't have cough medicine because at my son's age(also one year old) they need to cough up mucus. So I told her that and she got all mad and I told her that we will not give it to her while at our house because we couldnt be responsible for an overdose whlie she was here. Especially if she wasn't coughing. I know she is the baby's mom and it's none of my business but I'd hate to see something bad happen to the baby because of it. As a parent, why would you give your child medicine they don't need? What do you think?

Answer 1

THAt is horrible.I think u should get DHS on this case

Answer 2

Coughing is an allergic reation, no matter to what. It could be that the child is allergic to something in her own home that isn't present in your daycare. Also, I would try having literature - if you're licensed you should probably be able to get some - about the dangers of medication overdose and whatnot.

I would also - if you haven't already for your daycare - go into the same system that the public schools tend to use - that medication must be either prescribed by a physician or have a note attesting to need by a physician and make the doctor write a note. There is a standard form most schools use, you may be able to find one online and copy it to your needs. It is a pain in the rear for those that NEED regular meds (i.e. asthma, allergies) but it is a liability saver in the end.

Answer 3

"know she is the baby's mom and it's none of my business but "

Actually, if it's your daycare it IS your business. Your there to look after the chidren while their parents are working, and if you see any signs of abuse or neglect your responsiblity is to report it. All day cares have that responsibility.

My kids are 11, 9, 6, 5, and 3. I don't even give them cough medicine unless, their doctor prescribes it. That stuff if horrible for you, and damn that woman for wanting to give it to her child, who wasn't even coughing, not to mention a dose for someone 5 yrs older than her child.

I think that woman needs a lesson in parenting. It's probably easier for her to deal with her child when he/she is groggy from the medicine. You should report it. She needs an awakening. If she continues to give the child medicine, she is going to permanently hurt him/her. or worse case make him/her OD. If that happens, and it comes back that you knew she was giving her the medicine, you could get in trouble for not protecting the welfare of that child. Protect that baby!

I was just reading on Netscape forums and I found this!

Answer 4

I knew a mother before she did the same thing, not overdosing by going to a 6 yr old dose but at least double with her kids cough medicine. She said it would give her time to get stuff done because the child would sleep when she gave it to him. I reported her, I thought she was crazy. I hate to see my children sick. I'm afraid to give them the correct dose when they need it, let alone when they aren't sick. She needs some mental health help and get her tubes tied so she can't have anymore kids to harm. I would report her A. S. A. P.!!

Answer 5

My almost 1 year old didn't like cough syrup, he ended up vomiting mucus when he was sick a couple of months ago, after it was out, he was fine the next day. The child at your daycare shouldn't get anymore than the dosage your Dr. told you. You are right about it, because you're responsible for the child while he/she is in your care.

Answer 6

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests checking with your doctor before giving your child cough medicine before age 3. I have heard that it is not safe to give cough medicine to toddlers!

I think as the provider you should lay down the rules. My day care provider will only give our child medicine if there is a doctor's note (even for tylenol). You have the right to tell the mother this, and ask for a doctor's note. It is your business because the child is in your charge, so please put your foot down and ask for a doctor's note.

Answer 7

At my daughter's daycare they won't administer any medicine not prescribed by a doctor. And they have to have a "note" from the doctor with written instructions. And you have to sign it in and sign a waiver saying that you agree to have your child on this medication in the stated dosages and administration system. My daughter's daycare also won't administer any medications that are "as needed" other than epi-pens or asthma inhalers and other emergency medications. Tylenol, cough medicine, that type of stuff isn't allowed. Maybe you should adopt that policy. It covers your butt legally and it makes it less of a judgment call type of situation.

Answer 8

that really is a bad mother maybe you could call cpa and tell them what shes doing to the baby then theyll take matters into their own hands meanwhile you really did the right thing because if the child did overdose on the medicine at the daycare you would be responsible for it by going by what the mother said and not the doctor

Answer 9

That sounds really weird! You are right for not giving it to her. You should not be put in a position to overdose her daughter. I would adopt a policy of only giving children medicine if it is prescribed by their doctor, or if it is just something simple like orajel or tylenol for teething. Its ridiculous for a parent to expect a caregiver to administer medicine to a child who is too young for it, and not exhibiting the symptoms. Tell her you would be happy to medicate her child, if she has a prescription. You need to keep the phone numbers of all your clients doctors on hand, that way, you can just give them a phone call, and if the mom pitches a fit, you can tell her that her own childs doctor said NOT to do it.

Document any abnormal situations like this, that way you can have proof for social services if need be.

Answer 10

"My doctor told me that a one year shouldn't have cough medicine because at my son's age(also one year old) they need to cough up mucus" And what did HER child's doctor tell HER? I doubt you would know since you didn't mention whether you asked her if the doctor had prescribed the medicine or not. What would you have done if her doctor had told her to give the child the medicine? I have been in that situation...that is why at the day care I supervised at we had the numbers to ALL of the children's doctors. That way if a mom came in rushed and wanted us to give the child something we could call the doctor and ask if it was prescribed, and there could be a reason this child's doctor prescribed the medicine. You not knowing and not bothering to ask could have put the child in harms way. If you were unsure you should have asked if the doctor prescribed the medicine.

Answer 11

I don't give medicine to my child if she don't need it. That is just ignorance. You did the right thing by not giving it to the child. You would be the one who ended up responsible if the child had an overdose in your care. Just stand your ground on it. Tell the mother that if she wants to get an age/weight appropriate medicine for her child that you would give it to her child, but only when it is necessary.