Providers Who Use Prescription Drugs

[Brooksie]

I wouldn't say anything personally. If you are licensed you are obviously able to care for the children and the state seems to think so. That's whats important. I am licensed and am/have been on meds for a long time, to manage my depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. I don't think its any of my parents business what I take or when because it does NOT effect the kids I care for. No one needs to know my personal business. As long as its well managed I would keep it to yourself.

[My3cents]

Of course I require a doctor's note...just as the state requires one saying that I am in good enough health to care for children.

I understand your point about being forthcoming with parents, and I don't disagree with it. That being said, I think it needs to be done with discretion and with the understanding that you are choosing to reveal personal information to a client (or potential client).

I am not on any narcotics now. I have been in the past, as a result of brain surgery and 50 staples in my head.

When I first interview with a family, I would not be comfortable revealing that I had (or have) narcotics in my home. I don't know these people...who is to say they aren't drug addicts who may decide to come and steal from me and my family? Who is to say they aren't town gossips who are going to spread my personal information around to anyone who will listen? It is private.

Licensing rules are the rules. If I am in compliance with the rules, then I am not diong anything wrong. Legally or ethically! I go well above and beyond for my families. I just believe that some things are personal, and that I have the right to keep them that way. I am professional and run a very good business. I would NEVER endanger the children I care for by withholding information that was dangerous in any way. I also wouldn't work with children if I was unable to do so safely.

I never used any sort of drug in the past, and never have since. It was for a medical issue. I think people are very quick to be judgemental and assume that a person who is on painkillers will end up an addict. It is a very unfair stereotype.

Today, I don't have a clear opinion on this issue. I do want to comment on the above......

I agree people are quick to be judgmental. I don't think so in this case. I think that peoples own experiences with loved ones or someone they know, becoming addicted are what forms the judgment. I think it is ok to judge in this case. I will judge if I feel my child should be with someone that is taking heavy narcotics for illness. My prerogative to make that call in the best interest of my child. Knowing I would not. Fine today- Wacky tomorrow, or just knowing that med is in the home. People steal for those type of drugs and look for them. What if one got dropped on the floor? Not a risk I am willing to take with my innocent child that can't make an informed decision like I can. A whole slew of questions evolves over this issue and I am not sure if it is an issue that I want to deal with- You can be the best provider in the world- but when you know, you know and if I knew I would not leave my child with this situation. It is known that those type of drugs cause habit forming. So many people do become addicted, that yes I am strong on this as not being something I would want to have my young child knowingly exposed too.

BlackCat and any other Mod- I know that you know my personal information but if you ever used that against me or made that public information. I would be done with these boards for good. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure me out, I am queen of the run on sentence, and repeat of the same information. When I am in a hurry everything is just the way it comes out. I often type so fast that I skip a letter and then often times I am interrupted with this and that, so I start a response and don't finish it until later in the day. My kiddo's come first. I guess I am saying I don't know what the ruckus is about with mods saying they know who everyone is...... I am not the original poster. Anyway back to work for me.....ugh.....lovethis

[bunnyslippers]

I wouldn't say anything personally. If you are licensed you are obviously able to care for the children and the state seems to think so. That's whats important. I am licensed and am/have been on meds for a long time, to manage my depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. I don't think its any of my parents business what I take or when because it does NOT effect the kids I care for. No one needs to know my personal business. As long as its well managed I would keep it to yourself.

Agreed. I think global assumptions about medication, or any other personal choice, can lead to terrible stereotypes. As providers, we know what we can and canNOT handle. I am more than capable of making my own decision in regards to the safety of the children in my care. As long as I am not breaking any laws or going against licensing regulations, I can make my own decisions.

[My3cents]

This has nothing to do with fear of addiction.

It has everything to do with *impaired function*

My daughter had brain surgery last January (for the second time ). When she woke up she had a bird at my husband saying she hated him because he killed her unicorn.....in the days that followed on her pain meds she swore she saw dinosaurs out her windows and thought all her food was made out of "towels" because that's what it tasted like.

Legitimate condition, legitimate prescription meds, she wasn't on them but a week and surely wasn't addicted, still equated to impaired function.


Many people who are incredibly impaired on prescription drugs cannot see their impairment and can put on a 20 minute show in a doctor's office to pass as lucid.....I'm wondering in regards to them - how are doctors supposed to always know there is a problem?

I hope you know I'm not targeting your situation specifically when I speak but am considering the issue as a whole and am wondering, without disclosure to parents, how you weed out those individuals who do pose a risk to the children in their care?

doctors, judges, state workers are fooled daily by people that are using. People that are using know how to get more of these drugs to keep the addiction going. Unless blood work is done or urine test.....and even those can be altered-

Many can function daily in a job and use after hours.......but eventually it does catch up with the person. Addicts are all around us, in all jobs.

My advise to anyone looking for childcare is to ask your potential provider if they are on any heavy type of drugs, or any prescription drugs. They don't have to tell you, but at least you put it out there to try to know. If I found out someone was using heavy drugs after I started with them and had asked this, I would be pulling my child.

[My3cents]

This is the part that offends me. I understand your concerns, considering all of the horror stories in the press and your own personal experiences; HOWEVER, not every person becomes addicted to medications that they truly need. With this attitude, you are perpetuating that stereotype, and it is unfair and hurtful to those people who have used these medications responsibly and only for the time needed.

When I was on these medications for pain management, I stopped taking them the first day that I felt my pain was manageable. The rest were flushed. I never became addicted in any way. And I never endangered a single child. To assume otherwise is wrong.

I understand your point and I feel for you- but its not a risk that many parents want to take with their child and for many reasons. It is not wrong to be looking out for the best interest of your child.

[lolaland]

We all have fears based in our life experiences! Difference experiences, different opinions.

But I think there is something we all have in common – Most of us begun this career because we did not wanted to second guess if our child was safe and happy with a “X” or “Y” provider!! So we all in this thread at some point judged others to be unfit to take care of our own sons/daughters... and we all based our decision in different fears/experiences/opinions.

It's not to be taken personal or being judgmental... It's being mothers.

[Blackcat31]

Worded perfectly-

I think a provider should always put the parent foot on also and think if this was me as a parent what would I want to happen and what would I feel comfortable with.
If we don't want our children with a provider that is on medication how can we say that we should not let parents know.

Yes, licensing says we don't have to but what happened to ethics/morals which are sometimes just as important as the licensing/law.

I don't know how to say this without sounding bad but as a small business owner, I don't need to concern myself with what parents want.

I know if we all put the shoe on the other foot and started giving parents what they want we would be letting toddler's skip nap time, serving fast food, holding babies ALL day, never saying no or giving a time out and basically working FOR the parents.......

I own a business that sells a service. If you want to know more than what licensing requires me to tell you, then don't sign on with my program.

NO one is forcing anyone to do anything they don't want to do.

Parents don't HAVE to use child care.

Like I said to Willow, earlier......half of the providers on this forum do child care because they don't want to leave their child with someone else.

It has NOTHING to do with morals and ethics and EVERYTHING to do with laws and regulations.

If provider's being on drugs (prescription) were an issue or problem, I am sure our government would be lobbying for FULL disclosure and as of today, I don't think that is the case.

[bunnyslippers]

I understand your point and I feel for you- but its not a risk that many parents want to take with their child and for many reasons. It is not wrong to be looking out for the best interest of your child.

I don't need you to feel for me, though it is appreciated. I am just fine.

I think that every parent should look out for what is best for their child ~ I guess that is why I am always full with a waiting list.

Forthe record, the parents who come to me all know about my medical issues. It is not something I disclose immediately, because it is private. I don't think every part of my life needs to be an open book at the first meeting, or the 53rd meeting. I run a professional business out of my home. That does not mean my home and everything in it is up for public knowledge and judgement.

I would never put a child in any sort of danger. Everyone has personal stories about people who became addicted, but that doesn't mean everyone who takes a pain med becomes addicted. That is just an unfair assumption to make.

[Blackcat31]

Out of curiosity....

If we are talking about FULL disclosure and how is it immoral or unethical to not divulge this info to parents in our child care then why do we (providers here) have user names?

If we are ethically suppose to divulge all information about ourselves to parents who leave their children with us, then how come these same parents don't have a right to come on this forum and know who their provider is and what she says about them or their child?

If some providers are so concerned about being open and honest, then why have a user name and avatar?

Why aren't you stating WHO you are and WHERE you live?

What you say and write on this forum a lot of times DIRECTLY involves a person's child and the care they receive so why is that info not open and used freely on this forum?

Short answer? Because most of you wouldn't want a parent to read what you are saying about them but yet, you think we should tell them our personal info.... kind of a double standard....

*You* ~ general you NOT directed at anyone in particular.

[youretooloud]

Well, what about providers who take medication for anxiety, or depression? Should a provider tell the parents they suffer from depression? Or anxiety attacks?

I've seen several posts on here where we (providers) do not think the parents should know if we are suffering from depression, because it's none of their business.

I would think a provider with depression or other similar illnesses would be more of a hazard to the children than pain killers.

*I don't really know anything about pain killers, or mood enhancing drugs. I've never researched them, or even had a long discussion about them...so, I am not saying I KNOW this... I'm just asking. What's the difference?

[daycare]

[/COLOR][/B]


Today, I don't have a clear opinion on this issue. I do want to comment on the above......

I agree people are quick to be judgmental. I don't think so in this case. I think that peoples own experiences with loved ones or someone they know, becoming addicted are what forms the judgment. I think it is ok to judge in this case. I will judge if I feel my child should be with someone that is taking heavy narcotics for illness. My prerogative to make that call in the best interest of my child. Knowing I would not. Fine today- Wacky tomorrow, or just knowing that med is in the home. People steal for those type of drugs and look for them. What if one got dropped on the floor? Not a risk I am willing to take with my innocent child that can't make an informed decision like I can. A whole slew of questions evolves over this issue and I am not sure if it is an issue that I want to deal with- You can be the best provider in the world- but when you know, you know and if I knew I would not leave my child with this situation. It is known that those type of drugs cause habit forming. So many people do become addicted, that yes I am strong on this as not being something I would want to have my young child knowingly exposed too.

BlackCat and any other Mod- I know that you know my personal information but if you ever used that against me or made that public information. I would be done with these boards for good. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure me out, I am queen of the run on sentence, and repeat of the same information. When I am in a hurry everything is just the way it comes out. I often type so fast that I skip a letter and then often times I am interrupted with this and that, so I start a response and don't finish it until later in the day. My kiddo's come first. I guess I am saying I don't know what the ruckus is about with mods saying they know who everyone is...... I am not the original poster. Anyway back to work for me.....ugh.....lovethis

Just wanted to respond to your comment about the MODS. I have been one on here for awhile now and I don't EVER use it so look at anyone's information.

I respect the fact that you logged out for a reason, I do the same when I want privacy. Even if I did take the time to search out who it is or was that is posting unregistered, again not my place to say anything. Personally, I give the same respect that I would want.

[Starburst]

Well, what about providers who take medication for anxiety, or depression? Should a provider tell the parents they suffer from depression? Or anxiety attacks?

I've seen several posts on here where we (providers) do not think the parents should know if we are suffering from depression, because it's none of their business.

I would think a provider with depression or other similar illnesses would be more of a hazard to the children than pain killers.

*I don't really know anything about pain killers, or mood enhancing drugs. I've never researched them, or even had a long discussion about them...so, I am not saying I KNOW this... I'm just asking. What's the difference?

Well the problem is that most pain medications alter not only your mood but your ability to do normal physical tasks such as lifting heavy objects and driving. Some of the depression/anxiety is not always prevalent, sometimes it is situational and there are different forms of it ranging from mild to severe. Everyone is susceptible to spouts of depression and anxiety at one point or another, it's a part of life- its not the fact that you have it chronically but how you manage it. Some people do fine on medication, some people do okay with just therapy, and some people do better with only changes to diet and exercise. Some pills do make depression/ anxiety worse, that is why I chose not to use them anymore because I was always on either end of the extremes where I was either a lifeless zombie (I literally had no emotions and could not think clearly) or I was even more anxious (I would wake up crying because I thought my heart was going to stop, like on the third day I took it), and that really made me depressed! My depression was never even that bad to begin with, it was mostly due to low-self esteem from being bullied/teased for my weight. I notice I do better when I go on regular walks (haven't done that in a while but will start up again this summer). And those of course are only my experiences and they are not typical for everyone who takes anti-depressants as everything depends on the person, I just have a low drug tolerance.

Usually depression/anxiety/bipolar disorder are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, the medication is supposed to help balance the chemicals that are altering your mood. You can alter someone's mood with out totally altering their state of mind (though in some cases it can happen). In most cases pills for depression and anxiety are not meant to be taken long term, usually no more than 6 months to a year (because it is supposed to help "teach" your brain how to produce more serotonin on its own) because depression and anxiety are not always permanent states- you could be diagnosed depressed (or with anxiety) but still laugh once in a while and not be a suicidal shut in. Some anti-depressants don't need to be taken every day, only when the person is having a bad anxiety attack.

You could also be depressed/anxious and not be a danger to others. That is a big misconception of depression that you are automatically like a volcano that will erupt at the drop of a hat. Also depression is one of the most over diagnosed conditions and doctors just proscribe meds (as they do for other conditions as well) because it's cheaper than therapy (which tends to help out in more cases). Sometimes all you have to do is walk into a doctors office and say "I lost my job" or "my goldfish died" and they will say "you need drugs". Once I went to the doctor for a regular check up and I was fine, happy even (just started working at that FCC I always talked about)! The doctor just saw on my chart that I had depression (diagnosed over 3 years prior) and proscribed medications. That just made things worst.

My problem with the situation isn't so much about her taking the pain meds, it's more about her physical ability to be able to keep up with children and being able to assist a child who is in danger. Here if I were in a wheel chair You don't need to be skinny to do this type of work, but you do need to be fit enough to do it because working with kids is physically demanding and takes its toll- the back is usually the first thing to go! Having that "spine" or "backbone" everyone talks about needing on here isn't only for dealing with the parents.

[mamac]

Parents have to simply trust that the provider is following the laws (of his/her state).

That is a risk they are choosing to take by placing their child in care.


For example:

How do your DC parents KNOW you aren't drinking mimosa's during the day while caring for their child?

They don't. But they trust that you aren't because the laws (licensing) says you can't.

I think this is true in many cases, not only in choosing a child care provider. We, as parents, do this every time we hand our children off to someone else whether it is Little League or swim lessons. We interview the places and if we feel comfortable, we sign them up and leave their "care" to another person. We don't demand to know the medical history of everyone involved in our children's lives. We trust in the fact that we have made a good decision based on our parental instincts.

There are also other times that we hand our children off to people without knowing anything about them. I know many of the providers on this forum homeschool their children, but there are many others that "blindly" send their kids off to public school, having no idea what types of doctor approved medications the faculty and staff are taking, without so much as visiting the school in some cases. We even send them to and from school on the bus not knowing anything about the bus driver.

I think it is a privacy issue for the provider and they should not have to disclose any medical information unless they want to.

[Blackcat31]

My problem with the situation isn't so much about her taking the pain meds, it's more about her physical ability to be able to keep up with children and being able to assist a child who is in danger. Here if I were in a wheel chair You don't need to be skinny to do this type of work, but you do need to be fit enough to do it because working with kids is physically demanding and takes its toll- the back is usually the first thing to go! Having that "spine" or "backbone" everyone talks about needing on here isn't only for dealing with the parents.

Are you saying that a provider in a wheel chair would not be capable of providing care for a child?

[EAP]

This is a very interesting topic and it really makes you think. I feel like we as providers deserve privacy regarding our medical lives and other personal matters as long as it does not endanger a child or potentially endanger them.

I personally wouldn't leave my child with anyone who used pain medication, or anything with side effects similar to them, regardless of the individuals tolerance level. If I were a doctor or the licensening agent I also wouldn't take the liability of clearing a person taking those medications because that seems like a big risk.