At the beginning of August 2008 I told my 6yo son to climb out of the van and walk a quarter-mile home through his own neighborhood -- a trip he had made on foot hundreds of times before. I did not yell; I did not threaten. I said calmly, "If you can't keep your hands in your own space, you'll need to get out and walk." As he later told the caseworker, "Mom told me I had to stop bugging Marty, but he was so annoying I just couldn't." A neighbor who saw him get out of the van wound up reporting the incident first to the police and subsequently to CPS. Here's the story as it unfolded.
The beginning
Some follow-up thoughts
Reported
Anticipating the caseworker's visit
Immediate follow-up
Waiting...
...and worrying
...and trying to keep perspective
...and thinking
...and praying
...and still waiting
...and planning
...and more waiting
and finally, the decision
and its aftermath
and musings on calling CPS
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