Warning Trigger Pls Help ! How To Explain When ChildAlmost Gets Seriously Hurt?

**Scout** · 03-01-2013, 07:07 AM

I would first just put the blinds in the attic or somewhere where no kids can get at them! Then I would be sure to make sure dcm knows what happened and tell her that you immediately put them away and out of reach. Take a picture now while it is shortly after it happened also. I don't know about her being able to report you or anything though as I am legally unlicensed! Good Luck!

**bunnyslippers** · 03-01-2013, 07:07 AM

I am sure you are scared and very nervous. It is going to be all right, the child is fine. That being said, he could have been very hurt, or worse. You need to be honest with the mother and tell her what happened. She will more than likely be angry, but it is not all right to be dishonest with her. The child is leaving, so there is no chance she will pull him from your care. Let her know what happened, and let her know how you intend to rectify if so it never happens again.

You need to take those blinds down, today, regardless of what the landlord offers to do. I would rather hang blankets from my windows than risk the safety of a child.

I am sorry this happened, and I hope you can take the steps to ensure it never happens again. Good luck!

**itlw8** · 03-01-2013, 07:16 AM

You need to call her and let her know what happened... now go get a rubberband. coil that cord up and wrap the rubberband around it.

**My3cents** · 03-01-2013, 07:34 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered

(Regular user since last year logged out)
A child could have choked on some blinds. They didnt, because I caught it right away when the incident happened. I'm legally licensed exempt, if that info helps at all.

Those blinds cords are not the kind that can be altered to be made safe and I want to first off say I hate hate hate those blinds since the day we moved into this home because of the safety risk! I told my husband I was worried about it but he wasn't worried. We rent and it would be too expensive to replace the entire blinds to the sliding glass door and the landlord wouldn't do anything.

So I have been putting them up on the fire place mantel out of reach. Sometimes they fall down. There is a separater gate like thing blocking it too. Well some how this dcb got a hold of it when I was in the kitchen getting ready to make pancakes. The play room and back sliding glass door are all within my direct view from the kitchen. So I heard him fall and looked up and saw he was lying against the blinds and couldn't get up.

He started crying real funny sounding because the cords were pushing against his neck. He was literally 5ft away so I jumped the baby gate and grabbed him while pulling him up to loosen the cord at the same time. I tried comoforting him and inspecting his neck for any injury but he just wanted to jump up and go back to playing . Which is great but now he has a red welt/ring on each side of his neck where it was pressing against in those 5 seconds or so that it took from when he fell to when I ran and grabbed him up. He is fine! But he will have a red mark on his neck and even though I caught it right when it happens his mom might freak out imagining the worst seeing the marks.

Do I call a parent and have them pick up their child asap when something like this ever happens? Or tell her at pick up? Im pretty shaken up about it because it angers me that we couldn't do anything about it before (those stupid blinds!!) and my husbad wouldnt do anything about it before . I called him and told him I'm scared now because I already knew this was a bad thing that happens to kids and didnt like knowing those cords couldn't be removed some how. And now its even more real to me that this could happen to my own son (same age) at any moment .

I was already quitting doing child care for a while. This particular dcb, it's actually his last day today but it doesn't help the situation at all ! Can she call the police or report me? I told my husband over the phone to call the landlord and tell him what happens and tell him we NEED those blinds removed!! We might just have to take the entire thing down and go put up curtains. So something will be done tonight if we have to make store trips and be up all night, after my husband gets off work.

Ok the red marks are only one side by his ear and it looks like a little welt-like scratch like he scratched himself on something .
How would you explain this to the parent in the best way. Im so stressed because I thought I made it all the way through without him getting hurt because this kid has been a a liability in my eyes due to his behavior with how he likes to run, makes himself fall down on things and toys on purpose (he's only 18months but I think he's got a sensory issues) . Also because he is severely pigeon toed and that causes him to constantly trip & fall all the time too . So he is clumsy to begin with due to inward turned feet. I told the mom about his feet and him falling over his feet . She said she already knew but thinks he will just grow out of it.

So that is just one of several reasons I decided to give 2weeks notice last week Monday. He is a lot more work because of this and is a walking potential accident . I hate that on his last day he decided to get behind the partitioner thing I had and grabbed at the blind cords becase he is always trying to get into stuff he shouldnt . I have baby proofed this play room as best I could but that was the one thing I had left . However it wasn't out in the open. I know it was my fault regardless. I just wanted to explain some reasons I felt also contributed to this . And its going to be taken care of if we have to take them down entirely and put up curtains if the landlord still doesn't want to work with us on this .

Dcm doesn't know that I think of him as a liability . I just told her I had to let him go because I am unable to meet the needs of my family. Which is true because I am planning to term the other FT child and be left with only my drop in baby to make more time for my own family.
I need help on best explaining what happened so mom dcm doesn't freak out ?

You need to explain it to the mother what happened and log it. Where were you when this happened?

I think you also need to take things into your own hands, you have the license to run your business not your landlord and not your husband. You knew this was an issue and you should have just taken care of it in the first place.

I also think terming full time clients to make more time for your family is not cool. Your either in business or your not.

Sorry if this is harsh- but sometimes things like this make it hard for the rest of us. Did you really think coming to the daycare board that someone is going to tell you not to tell the parents? I recommend some classes to you on early childcare and get involved with other providers in your area.

I may be having an off day and off on my advice to you but this is what I see at this time, with what you put out there on your end.
Best-

**SquirrellyMama** · 03-01-2013, 07:41 AM

Originally posted by My3cents

I also think terming full time clients to make more time for your family is not cool. Your either in business or your not.

There is nothing wrong with her doing this. She can be in business with drop in kids.

I think anyone who decides to make more time for their own family is doing the right thing.

Sorry if this is harsh- but sometimes things like this make it hard for the rest of us. Did you really think coming to the daycare board that someone is going to tell you not to tell the parents?

She asked how she should tell the parents. I don't see where she asked if she should or shouldn't tell the mom. She asked if she should call immediately or wait until pick up.

I recommend some classes to you on early childcare and get involved with other providers in your area.

I agree with this advice. It can help to get together with other providers and learn some safety measures.

I do think the OP needs to stop justifying why she didn't take care of the blinds herself and do not use that reasoning with mom. Tell her what happened and show her how you fixed the problem. I might even give her a refund for the day.
K

**Unregistered** · 03-01-2013, 07:46 AM

The blinds unit is very huge and needs to be unscrewed from the wall above the sliding glass door, professionally with a powerful drill. Its not something I can do by myself with little kids running around (includes my own child) .
Update: my husband just called me back. He talked to rental office and told them that we want the whole blinds unit removed because of it being a safety hazard and a child getting entagled in the cord. So there is a guy coming within the hour to take it down! Yay! I'm going to ask him take down all the other smaller ones in the house . I think the other ones are easily removable (the kind that can be put back up when needed) . We can store them in the garage in a big sotrage container for the next people who move in after we move out, and use curtains.

**canadiancare** · 03-01-2013, 07:48 AM

I just tie all the cords on my blinds up high.

**cheerfuldom** · 03-01-2013, 07:49 AM

Originally posted by My3cents

You need to explain it to the mother what happened and log it. Where were you when this happened?

I think you also need to take things into your own hands, you have the license to run your business not your landlord and not your husband. You knew this was an issue and you should have just taken care of it in the first place.

I also think terming full time clients to make more time for your family is not cool. Your either in business or your not.

Sorry if this is harsh- but sometimes things like this make it hard for the rest of us. Did you really think coming to the daycare board that someone is going to tell you not to tell the parents? I recommend some classes to you on early childcare and get involved with other providers in your area.

I may be having an off day and off on my advice to you but this is what I see at this time, with what you put out there on your end.
Best-

to the bolded.....WHAT???? what are you talking about? it is completely fine in every way, shape and form for this provider to do cut back on daycare. she said she already knew this child was not a good fit for her home. she did the right and responsible thing by giving notice. unfortunately he got hurt on his last day. but that is no reason to imply that she then needs help from other providers and needs education. she already said she was shutting down her daycare. i am sorry but you have gone beyond rude in this comment. its not helpful and its just plain hurtful.

to the OP, i would not call the mom for immediate pickup. i would take a picture of the blinds AND the injury for my records. I would then type out a little note of what happened. explain to mom. have her sign the paper that you did tell her so that you have that for your own records as well. clear proof that you told her what happened and how you handled it. at this point, the best you can do is be honest and let the chips fall where they may.

**Country Kids** · 03-01-2013, 07:50 AM

Originally posted by My3cents

You need to explain it to the mother what happened and log it. Where were you when this happened?

I think you also need to take things into your own hands, you have the license to run your business not your landlord and not your husband. You knew this was an issue and you should have just taken care of it in the first place.

I also think terming full time clients to make more time for your family is not cool. Your either in business or your not.

Sorry if this is harsh- but sometimes things like this make it hard for the rest of us. Did you really think coming to the daycare board that someone is going to tell you not to tell the parents? I recommend some classes to you on early childcare and get involved with other providers in your area.

I may be having an off day and off on my advice to you but this is what I see at this time, with what you put out there on your end.
Best-

She never did say anything that I'm reading that she is terming the client to make more time for her family. Even if she did, I have read many posts on the formum of providers doing this. Why in the world jump this one provider if she did this even though she posted nothing about doing that.

Her second paragraph explained where she was and what she was doing.

She never said anything about NOT TELLING THE PARENTS. The post was explaining what happened and HOW to explain it to the parents. Taking a million and one childcare classes doesn't prevent accidents. She was already aware there was problem, nothing that seemed to be able to be done (wasn't their house for one) and did take precautions.

Also, this is a regular member and could be one of the best providers out there. Accidents happen and thank goodness nothing extreme happened!

I'm just surprised out how harsh you are with the op when half of the things you said weren't even written or implied. I know sometimes we really read the posts fast but thats why I have written a few posts on slowing our readings down and see really being written and not what we think is being written.

OP, take a deep breath and explain everything to the parent. If you need to talk feel free to pm me! I have been having some problems with it but please try and I would be happy to talk to you.

**williams2008** · 03-01-2013, 07:58 AM

Originally posted by canadiancare

I just tie all the cords on my blinds up high.

I do this to all my blinds as well!

**SquirrellyMama** · 03-01-2013, 08:03 AM

Originally posted by itlw8

You need to call her and let her know what happened... now go get a rubberband. coil that cord up and wrap the rubberband around it.

That is an excellent idea. I fought with our blinds for a long time and tried different methods but never thought of this. How simple! We now have curtains so I don't have to worry about it.

K

**SilverSabre25** · 03-01-2013, 08:05 AM

Originally posted by My3cents

You need to explain it to the mother what happened and log it. Where were you when this happened?

I think you also need to take things into your own hands, you have the license to run your business not your landlord and not your husband. You knew this was an issue and you should have just taken care of it in the first place.

I also think terming full time clients to make more time for your family is not cool. Your either in business or your not.

Sorry if this is harsh- but sometimes things like this make it hard for the rest of us. Did you really think coming to the daycare board that someone is going to tell you not to tell the parents? I recommend some classes to you on early childcare and get involved with other providers in your area.

I may be having an off day and off on my advice to you but this is what I see at this time, with what you put out there on your end.
Best-

Putting on my moderator hat here...

I feel that this was unduly accusatory and harsh--and you know it. Please read the OP more carefully; she did explain where she was, how it happened, and why she's here. She wants advice on how to tell the parents, not whether she should tell them. She did not need to be scolded for her reasons over terming the family

**canadiancare** · 03-01-2013, 08:11 AM

Originally posted by SilverSabre25

Putting on my moderator hat here...

I feel that this was unduly accusatory and harsh--and you know it. Please read the OP more carefully; she did explain where she was, how it happened, and why she's here. She wants advice on how to tell the parents, not whether she should tell them. She did not need to be scolded for her reasons over terming the family

Understood, however the main subject of the post is kind of lost in all kinds of extra detail. It is tricky to read through it. I am not saying that the reply wasn't harsh but I had to reread twice to figure out what the point was.

**SilverSabre25** · 03-01-2013, 08:21 AM

OP, I've had a couple scary things happen over the years as well and I know how stressful it is.

The easiest way to tell the parents is to just do it.

"Hey, I have something I need to tell you. Everything is FINE, but DCB got himself into a bit of a pickle this morning. You know these blinds I hate because they're hard to child proof and the landlord won't do anything about it...(and explain what happened, including where you were and what happened, pretty much just was you wrote here:

Well some how this dcb got a hold of it when I was in the kitchen getting ready to make pancakes. The play room and back sliding glass door are all within my direct view from the kitchen. So I heard him fall and looked up and saw he was lying against the blinds and couldn't get up.

He started crying real funny sounding because the cords were pushing against his neck. He was literally 5ft away so I jumped the baby gate and grabbed him while pulling him up to loosen the cord at the same time. I tried comoforting him and inspecting his neck for any injury but he just wanted to jump up and go back to playing . Which is great but now he has a red welt/ring on each side of his neck where it was pressing against in those 5 seconds or so that it took from when he fell to when I ran and grabbed him up. He is fine! But he will have a red mark on his neck and even though I caught it right when it happens his mom might freak out imagining the worst seeing the marks.

Be straightforward and up front, and see what happens from there. If you're open and let her know what you USUALLY do, and how you intend to fix it or have fixed it, then even if she reports you not much is likely to come of it.

it's tough, it might be the toughest thing you've ever had to do--but you're not alone, you're not the only one, you aren't the first and you won't be the last.

Warning Trigger Pls Help ! How To Explain When ChildAlmost Gets Seriously Hurt?