Gina Said:

rights for mother wishing to breast feed whilst being assessed by child protection services?

We Answered:

She has her rights and the baby needs its mother. But the root is if mom's capable, and medications in her system that could be in her milk, the question is simple the answers is deep.

Alma Said:

Child Protection ignoring my Cries?

We Answered:

It's a terrrible predicament.

The Social worker has a quota to fill, social services agencies have a quota to fill, your two children fill a quota for social services.

I assume you are an unmarried, single mom, probably with no job and very little income, receiving welfare benefits and housing assistance, with no home (just a rented place), no vehicle or a vehicle not worth much, with a history of psychiatric care, and if you are a child of incest, there are multiple other issues for your family to use to discredit you. I know from experience.

You have little recourse but you are afforded an attorney through the public defenders office. Go fill out the paperwork at the courthouse to apply for one, you're going to need him. Let him do the talking for you. Social services has already decided you are lying about your dad. I know you're not. But they don't know a thing about incest, they don't know how to deal with it, and will blush if you even say the word. How can they possibly believe it?

The agency doesn't have to prove you're an unfit mother when it's your family trying to get custody, they only have to get the judge to believe your parents can offer more to the children than you can. The legal standard is "the best interest of the child), it comes down to who has the best and the most: money, property, stability, income, jobs, home, reputation, maturity, vehicles...and your parents are a two parent family as opposed to single parent.

When you go to court, you are on one side of the scale of justice, your parents, children's services, and the children's appointed attorney are on the other side, the Judge weighs each side and has to choose which side weighs "in the best interests of the children." Of course your attorney works indirectly for him, as does the children's attorney (ad litem), and the Judge assumes children's services is arming him with all the facts, he believes them, just as they believe your parents, no one believes you. I know. I'm sorry.

Go on with your life. Get all the help you need. Go to specialists, psychotherapists, the best psychiatrists, stay in counseling with veteran counselors, go to Al-Anon family groups and get a mature sponsor, they are your new support group and will stand with you ...see your children whenever possible, keep all your appointments, don't drink or use drugs, don't even get a parking ticket, don't give them the satisfaction, don't give them ammunition...good luck and Godspeed.

Leslie Said:

how can i help a 7 year old who may have been sexually abused?

We Answered:

love him and care for him.

June Said:

what do you think of mandatory cps check in for new parents that have mental health problems or retardation.?

We Answered:

Parents with a form of mental retardation would have a high level of support anyway.

Mental health problems should not have a stigma attached that if you have depression, bi-polar, PPD etc - doesnt mean you arent a good parent. Parents without recognised or treated mental health problem are just as likely to harm their kids. Its not fair to target the people who have admitted they were struggling and got help and treatment. That alone shows they are as responisble and capable as the next person