How Do You Document Conversations With Parents?

[Unregistered]

Hi everyone--

I'm starting up soon, and recent threads have made me aware that I should protect myself and document every conversation with parents!

Can you give me advice on how (logistically) you do that? Do you print emails, write down notes? Do you have paper files or computer files?

What are your steps to documenting injuries? Do you make parents sign off on injury reports?

Any information would be really helpful. Thank you!

[Willow]

I'm not sure there is a way or a reason to document every conversation you have with parents. Seems waaaay over the top to me, not to mention it would be an absurd amount of work.

I prefer email for the really big issues so I can reference the conversation if I really need to in the future. And I will occasionally write a little snippit about whatever in my calendar/log book.

Licensing has always provided me with a form for incident reports. If they get filled out we're supposed to keep a copy for our records and submit a copy to them. I've never had an injury bad enough to warrant filling one out though.

[Blackcat31]

I do document conversations with parents if they contain information that may be pertinent later. Obviously not every single word said as a majority of the conversations are just normal chit-chat.

I have a three ring binder. Each family has a separate section. I keep a notebook by the door and when parents are dropping off and/or picking up I will write down info they tell me. Sometimes it's about whether their child ate or slept well and sometimes, it's about mood or maybe special instructions for the day.

At the end of the day, I take that notebook and enter the info into my 3 ring binder.

A lot of times (most times to be honest) the information is never brought up again or even referenced again buuuut......

......the few times I have needed the info (for legal, court related, CPS issues or just a parent review) the info has come in handy and I was VERY glad to have it.

It HAS made the difference in BIG ways too a couple times.

I also keep a phone log of who calls and when next to the phone. I write down who calls, what time and the nature of the call.

Not necessary but again, has come in handy several times.

HTH

[Lyss]

I have one DCM that even though she is really nice and says she "loves" me, I don't trust her at all. She's the kind of person that does what she can to do the least work and get the most return. I wouldn't put it past her to pull something. She's constantly lying and making things up, little things mainly but a few big things too.

Anyway I take screenshots of EVERY text this mom sends me, from DCB loved your activities today to can we come on a non scheduled day to I'm calling in no DCB. I also print all the emails and document phone calls (she's mainly a text-er).

I'm not as obsessed with doing this with other families but I do try to keep copies of all texts and emails, if the phone call is about any changes or issues I document.

[Little Star75]

I agree with above comments I have blanks forms in each child's file and whenever I have an important conversation I record it. Like blackcat mention.... It can come in handy. Also, I do a lot of texting with parents so when there is something important I make a note of it later inside the file, anyways I keep all texts. It's better to be safe than sorry