We had our meeting with our caseworker a few weeks ago now...and though we were supposed to have created a "Total Service Plan" for difficult child - not much was accomplished at the meeting largely because our caseworker is new and our 'list of concerns' was beyond what she was able to address.
Tomorrow - we are meeting with caseworker's supervisor.
Supervisor has specifically requested difficult child to attend the meeting.
I am incredibly nervous!
Number one - because I have no idea what the "tone" of this meeting will be. Will it be hostile/confrontational as though husband and I are being "difficult" ? Or will it be cooperative and helpful ?
difficult child being in attendance definitely adds a new "wrinkle" as difficult child never likes to hear that anyone thinks there may be a problem and how dare we accuse her of doing anything even remotely wrong! So best case scenario with difficult child is that she sits there and denies, denies, denies and otherwise explains away all the issues. Worse case scenario? difficult child gets hostile...
I am spending today making sure that I have my 'ducks in a row' - I have all my paperwork and bulleted list of concerns.
Last night, I told difficult child about the meeting and that she needed to think about what kinds of goals she would like to set for herself. Although she did not get upset, she made it clear that she can't think of any goals because she doesn't see any areas that are problems right now.
Gently, I reminded her that her temper is still out of control, she does not maintain friendships, she is not doing very well in school, her hygiene is a problem, she is still pulling out her eyelashes, and lying to the psychiatrist about taking her medications. difficult child explained all these things away and said that if they ever become a problem in the future - she'll make some changes then.
Ugh!
This ought to be a FUN meeting - NOT!
Tomorrow - we are meeting with caseworker's supervisor.
Supervisor has specifically requested difficult child to attend the meeting.
I am incredibly nervous!
Number one - because I have no idea what the "tone" of this meeting will be. Will it be hostile/confrontational as though husband and I are being "difficult" ? Or will it be cooperative and helpful ?
difficult child being in attendance definitely adds a new "wrinkle" as difficult child never likes to hear that anyone thinks there may be a problem and how dare we accuse her of doing anything even remotely wrong! So best case scenario with difficult child is that she sits there and denies, denies, denies and otherwise explains away all the issues. Worse case scenario? difficult child gets hostile...
I am spending today making sure that I have my 'ducks in a row' - I have all my paperwork and bulleted list of concerns.
Last night, I told difficult child about the meeting and that she needed to think about what kinds of goals she would like to set for herself. Although she did not get upset, she made it clear that she can't think of any goals because she doesn't see any areas that are problems right now.
Gently, I reminded her that her temper is still out of control, she does not maintain friendships, she is not doing very well in school, her hygiene is a problem, she is still pulling out her eyelashes, and lying to the psychiatrist about taking her medications. difficult child explained all these things away and said that if they ever become a problem in the future - she'll make some changes then.
Ugh!
This ought to be a FUN meeting - NOT!