Now that I am providing care in my home, I am obsessively worried about accidentally leaving a mark on a child, or sending a child home with an injury. Today a drop in boy went home with two small surface scratches on his neck from laying on my Fitbit and then rolling off my arm, and I felt awful. After he left, I panicked and felt like I should have checked his whole body for marks. I don't know why I feel like this, I do not abuse the children, or ever touch them in a way to intend to cause pain or marks. I guess I am afraid of the liability, and for someone thinking I abuse their child. Is anyone else this way?
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Irrational Fear
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I am but I also have horrible anxiety about other things, especially finances!
How long have you been doing childcare? If you are new it is possible this is something that will fade with time and experience. Do you find yourself worried about other things or just this? It could be something you doctor could help you with, my medication makes life something I can cope with. If it isn't to that point, then try to talk yourself down so to speak.
When something does happen, document, document, document! If it isn't written down, it either never happened, or someone is hiding something . Not that you would ever hide anything, but that is how it is seen.
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Originally posted by Thriftylady View PostI am but I also have horrible anxiety about other things, especially finances!
How long have you been doing childcare? If you are new it is possible this is something that will fade with time and experience. Do you find yourself worried about other things or just this? It could be something you doctor could help you with, my medication makes life something I can cope with. If it isn't to that point, then try to talk yourself down so to speak.
When something does happen, document, document, document! If it isn't written down, it either never happened, or someone is hiding something . Not that you would ever hide anything, but that is how it is seen.
I have been in child care for 4 years, 1 year on my own. I have had weird feelings this week, this one just tops the cake!
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The pregnancy is likely making it worse. Just hang on, and like Thriftylady said, if anything does happen, document. Being male makes even more risk for the day I go into the business, but I'm just going to keep detailed records and maybe have video cameras recording my day in case it's ever needed.Children are little angels, even when they are little devils.
They are also our future.
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Originally posted by Miss A View PostYes, I have horrible anxiety over everything! I have been on Fluoxitine since I was 14 for it. And they keep raising my dosage. I am on a lower dose now since I am pregnant.
I have been in child care for 4 years, 1 year on my own. I have had weird feelings this week, this one just tops the cake!
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Take deep breaths, calm down, it will be fine.
I think even us non-pregnant providers have that fear in the back of our minds. I always feel terrible when I don't notice that something happened, no tears or complaints. Then the next day dcm will come in and say 'did you see the mark on ___'s ____?' I start the panic mode then.
I agree about the meds., most likely the lower dosage plus pregnancy hormones are raising your anxiety levels. But just keep positively reaffirming to yourself it will be okay.
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Thanks everyone! Pregnancy sure is hard, not just physically but emotionally as well!
The drop in boy is even a son of some of my and my friends, so I know she would contact me if anything was a miss. I think I just feel especially bad about it today because he was only here for 3 hours, and cried/screamed for 2 of them. Mom called to see if he could stay longer and I had to ask her to pick up because he was not settling down, and my regulars were worked up because of him. When mom got here she had been crying and had gotten bad news. I felt especially bad then.
I am so glad to have a community like this though, no one else ever understands!
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Originally posted by Miss A View PostNow that I am providing care in my home, I am obsessively worried about accidentally leaving a mark on a child, or sending a child home with an injury. Today a drop in boy went home with two small surface scratches on his neck from laying on my Fitbit and then rolling off my arm, and I felt awful. After he left, I panicked and felt like I should have checked his whole body for marks. I don't know why I feel like this, I do not abuse the children, or ever touch them in a way to intend to cause pain or marks. I guess I am afraid of the liability, and for someone thinking I abuse their child. Is anyone else this way?
I had a mom 3.5 years ago who was HORRIBLE. Denied every time her children were ill. One time I sent her youngest home ill and she sat on my steps questioning if her upper arms or armpits hurt...why she had this mark on her (it was a bug bite)...etc. It was REALLY uncomfortable and the child just had a stomach bug. :confused: They were termed shortly after for continuing to bring their ill children. All of that to say...there's crazy people and I think it's okay to play it safe.
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Originally posted by Josiegirl View PostTake deep breaths, calm down, it will be fine.
I think even us non-pregnant providers have that fear in the back of our minds. I always feel terrible when I don't notice that something happened, no tears or complaints. Then the next day dcm will come in and say 'did you see the mark on ___'s ____?' I start the panic mode then.
I agree about the meds., most likely the lower dosage plus pregnancy hormones are raising your anxiety levels. But just keep positively reaffirming to yourself it will be okay.
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When I first started I had a set of siblings that would keep getting hurt. It wasn't anything I did and for the most part unavoidable. I was contemplating throwing in the towel because I didn't want to get sued. Just about every week they would come in with injuries from home also which let me know they were just injury prone. I no longer care for them and since I havent had that problem with anyone else. Now I have moms pointing to injuries they got at home.
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Originally posted by Thriftylady View PostI am but I also have horrible anxiety about other things, especially finances!
How long have you been doing childcare? If you are new it is possible this is something that will fade with time and experience. Do you find yourself worried about other things or just this? It could be something you doctor could help you with, my medication makes life something I can cope with. If it isn't to that point, then try to talk yourself down so to speak.
When something does happen, document, document, document! If it isn't written down, it either never happened, or someone is hiding something . Not that you would ever hide anything, but that is how it is seen.
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