Administering Medication

Yesterday I had a rather unpleasant situation with a parent regarding administering unprescribed medicine to her child.  This particular little girl hadn't been 100% for a few days burdened with a cough and general malaise.  Yesterday, however, she took a turn for the worse developing a temperature, fluctuating as it does with kids, but looking and acting completely miserable.  I rang the mother who, sounding stressed at work, told me to administer nurofen to the child.  Of course I responded with a big, fat negatory (in my own mind saying 'are you crazy lady, haven't you read the press not to mention my policy on such things'). 

She continued to insist, I continued to resist, she hung up, she rang back saying we should get the child ready for collection in 5 minutes,  she promptly hung up without  waiting for a response…..  no niceties observed! So, we're thinking… uh oh!  Trouble's acoming!!  Sure enough, 30 plus minutes later a raving lunatic, bearing a somewhat rosy hued countenance,  pulls up and stomps in.  Greeting her at the door I proceed to fill her in on the sickly events of the day, symptoms etc only to be cut short, mid sentence by a sharp 'I don't have time for this' bark as the poor child was yanked out and fired roughly into the car.  So, there I was  (staff included) doing our best goldfish expressions.  Needless to say one was a tad shocked. 

This is an incidence of the ugly side of child care.  It is never completely unavoidable but steps can be taken to minimise said events. 

• Have clear and concise policies
• Highlight and have parents initial beside any especially important and potentially inflammatory policies.
• Verbally communicate and explain said policies to parents
• Stand firm and do not be intimidated - your actions are in the best interests of the child and, ultimately, your child care service

Believe me, if I had relented and administered the medication and there had been an adverse reaction el looney, stresshead whackmomma would be the first to sue my ass!

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