Child Neglect?

[Canibedreamin]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)TX

Is the following considered child neglect or just lame parenting?

Not requiring/allowing the children to brush their teeth.
Not requiring the children to bathe regularly.
Not administering prescribed daily medication.
Getting the children to school late.
Burning incense around children with asthma.

These children are 9 with some emotional issues/possible undiagnosed learning issues and 11 with severe ADHD.

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by Canibedreamin

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)TX

Is the following considered child neglect or just lame parenting?

Not requiring/allowing the children to brush their teeth.
Not requiring the children to bathe regularly.
Not administering prescribed daily medication.
Getting the children to school late.
Burning incense around children with asthma.

These children are 9 with some emotional issues/possible undiagnosed learning issues and 11 with severe ADHD.

I think step-mom (you) should step back and let the FATHER work on this.

[Canibedreamin]

Originally Posted by Zigner

I think step-mom (you) should step back and let the FATHER work on this.

I'm sorry you feel that way. He would like to work on this and I would like to make sure he doesn't make himself look ignorant in the process. I have read through this site for days looking for an answer regarding this situation before posting. Since I haven't really found much supporting these concerns as a legal issue, at the risk of being skewered, I went ahead and posted. All opinions aside, would you please tell me whether or not this is considered ACTUAL neglect or just lame parenting?

[Proserpina]

Originally Posted by Canibedreamin

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)TX

Is the following considered child neglect or just lame parenting?

Not requiring/allowing the children to brush their teeth.
Not requiring the children to bathe regularly.
Not administering prescribed daily medication.
Getting the children to school late.
Burning incense around children with asthma.

These children are 9 with some emotional issues/possible undiagnosed learning issues and 11 with severe ADHD.

Brushing teeth: not allowing is quite different from not requiring and enforcing. Which is it?

Bathing: define regularly?

Medication: this can be a problem, yes. However much may depend on the medication and the condition, and to a certain degree exactly how well the parent has been educated about the child's needs.

Late for school: How often? For what reason/s?

Incense: Does this actually aggravate the asthma? (it doesn't aggravate mine and I'm something of a chronic incense user)

[Canibedreamin]

Originally Posted by Dogmatique

Brushing teeth: not allowing is quite different from not requiring and enforcing. Which is it?

Bathing: define regularly?

Medication: this can be a problem, yes. However much may depend on the medication and the condition, and to a certain degree exactly how well the parent has been educated about the child's needs.

Late for school: How often? For what reason/s?

Incense: Does this actually aggravate the asthma? (it doesn't aggravate mine and I'm something of a chronic incense user)

OH GOOD GOD. I took so long to respond that I guess I was logged out? I guess I better shorten it..

Brushing teeth- they have told Dad and the dentist and the doctor that they do not have toothbrushes and that they have not brushed their teeth ever at Mom's current house. She has lived there about 2 years.

Bathing- Mom's time is approx half the month. Of those days, they might get A bath, usually not. These aren't consecutive days though. She never has them more than 5 nights in a row. The school resource teacher called just last week to express concerns about their bathing, but this is the first time anyone in the school has mentioned it as far as I know.

Medication- Stepson with asthma has an inhaler for the morning and evening with a counter on it. He has a prescription for singulair for the evening. he has dr orders to take zyrtec. He has an emergency inhaler that does NOT have a counter. he also takes adhd meds. Other stepson has prescription nasal spray and dr orders to take zyrtec, as well as adhd meds. She is very diligent about the adhd meds. Med issue has lasted for years. Since I am the one who dispenses the meds to Mom on Dad's behalf, I suggested the morning meds be taken at school to circumvent at least the morning doses, so now that is what happens. Child with asthma reports he NEVER receives his singulair or preventative inhaler at night and rarely receives emergency inhaler while in Mom's care.

Late for school - Out of 5 weeks of school (12 days of which she was responsible for taking them) they were at least 20 mins late 7 days.

Incense - It seems the likely suspect. The dr has specified that the incense should not be burned while he is in the home. Almost every time he comes back from Mom's he is hacking and coughing and he reports that incense is being burned. He hasn't complained of any other possible causes.

[IsabellaSoriano]

Originally Posted by Canibedreamin

OH GOOD GOD. I took so long to respond that I guess I was logged out? I guess I better shorten it..

okay...

Brushing teeth- they have told Dad and the dentist and the doctor that they do not have toothbrushes and that they have not brushed their teeth ever at Mom's current house. She has lived there about 2 years.

how many cavities did the children have? anything needing to be pulled?

Bathing- Mom's time is approx half the month. Of those days, they might get A bath, usually not. These aren't consecutive days though. She never has them more than 5 nights in a row. The school resource teacher called just last week to express concerns about their bathing, but this is the first time anyone in the school has mentioned it as far as I know.

and did anyone ask MOM or talk to mom to let her know the children had a strong bodily odor?

Medication- Stepson with asthma has an inhaler for the morning and evening with a counter on it. He has a prescription for singulair for the evening. he has dr orders to take zyrtec. He has an emergency inhaler that does NOT have a counter. he also takes adhd meds. Other stepson has prescription nasal spray and dr orders to take zyrtec, as well as adhd meds. She is very diligent about the adhd meds. Med issue has lasted for years. Since I am the one who dispenses the meds to Mom on Dad's behalf, I suggested the morning meds be taken at school to circumvent at least the morning doses, so now that is what happens. Child with asthma reports he NEVER receives his singulair or preventative inhaler at night and rarely receives emergency inhaler while in Mom's care.

how many times has the child ended up in ER because he did not take his meds?

Late for school - Out of 5 weeks of school (12 days of which she was responsible for taking them) they were at least 20 mins late 7 days.

and dad has proof all of these times were ALL mom's fault?

Incense - It seems the likely suspect. The dr has specified that the incense should not be burned while he is in the home. Almost every time he comes back from Mom's he is hacking and coughing and he reports that incense is being burned. He hasn't complained of any other possible causes.

and the doctor actually wrote out on his report that the incense is the exact cause of the asthma irritation?

[Canibedreamin]

[quote=IsabellaSoriano;2365499]okay...




how many cavities did the children have? anything needing to be pulled?

***2 each, nothing pulled***


and did anyone ask MOM or talk to mom to let her know the children had a strong bodily odor?

***The school called me because Mom won't answer. Dad mentioned phone call and anytime the one childs pants are soiled.***


how many times has the child ended up in ER because he did not take his meds?

***Definitely none in 4 years. He has an emergency inhaler... Before that, he has been hospitalized but I do not think it was for missing medicine doses.***


and dad has proof all of these times were ALL mom's fault?


***The tardies on the days she is responsible for them. The school keeps track of tardies and they are only keeping track of the time because my husband requested it.***

and the doctor actually wrote out on his report that the incense is the exact cause of the asthma irritation?

***I am not sure what the docter wrote in his file. Should my husband call and ask about that?***QUOTE]

Responses in asterisks above.