Parenting Advice - If You Get a Visit From Child Protective Services

If your child accuses you falsely of child abuse,If you get a visit, stay calm.
understand this is a common and scary result of aCPS workers are trained to study bruises and injuries.
damaged parent-child relationship. An angry and hurtAdmit it if you struck your child because you "lost it."
child can lash out against you to other family members,Although it will be difficult for you to confess that you
non-custodial parents, caregivers, teachers, schoolhit your child, it might open the door to ask for help for
counselors, therapists, and doctors.yourself and your child. CPS might offer assistance to
Child Protective Services (CPS) workers know that aorder a psychological test, parenting classes to help
child rarely accuse parents with whom he has a goodyou manage your child, and a referral to a counselor
relationship. If you suspect that you may get a visitwho knows how to work with kids with ADHD.
from CPS, clean and organize your household. It isThey can help you manage the home situation and
difficult to think when you are emotional, so recall asroutine. If you are innocent, invite the CPS investigator
much as you can. Write a list of the answers to theseto your home to look at the floor plan. Let them see
important questions:where the alleged incident occurred. The key is to be
calm. If you act defensively, are emotional, and use foul
1. What happened?language, the intake worker might opt for a court
2. Who was involved?hearing.
3. When did it happen?You Can Solve This.
4. Where did it happen?I invite you to use these methods if you are falsely
5. How did it happen?accused of child abuse by your child. It is much easier
6. What led to the incident?to mend your damaged parent-child relationship. You
7. Why did it happen?can do it in only three weeks with a 15-minute
8. Were there any witnesses?investment a day.