If you knew CPS was coming... - Page 3

[Stephenie]

Thanks again everyone. We won't be letting anyone into our home unless they get a warrant. We're picking up a bed on of off chance that happens... and keeping the house as clean as is possible with two kids three and under.
As far as I am concerned I will never see or speak to my IL's again. You don't threaten CPS and say I abuse my kids and expect me to act like everything is ok... which is what they've done so far, calling and leaving messages like nothing is wrong....

[firewoman]

Originally Posted by Stephenie

Thanks again everyone. We won't be letting anyone into our home unless they get a warrant. We're picking up a bed on of off chance that happens... and keeping the house as clean as is possible with two kids three and under.
As far as I am concerned I will never see or speak to my IL's again. You don't threaten CPS and say I abuse my kids and expect me to act like everything is ok... which is what they've done so far, calling and leaving messages like nothing is wrong....

I think the decisions you have come to are wise! Protect those babies, mama!

[Annoia]

Stephanie -

One think to consider is creating a paper trail with the police, but without your ILs knowing.

I dealt with a malicious ex-"relative" (a relative's former girlfriend and babymama!). At one point she came to my place of work with a crazy list of accusations.

I filed a report with the police, but did not file a restraining order b/c I felt she was a very unstable individual who would escalate things very rapidly. And that is EXACTLY what I told the police. They offered to speak with her, but I put, in writing, that I feared for the safety of myself and my children should she choose to "up the ante". I felt that her next step might be CPS, and wanted everything officially documented. I basically told the police EVERYTHING, but requested they not make any steps towards her unless I requested it.

Thank God nothing ever came of it, but I do like the idea of having a file started. That way, should she ever try anything again, I can just add to the file.

I hope everything works out for you. It was really hard (and still is sometimes!) knowing that there is someone out there who has it in for you....no one should live under that kind of strain.

Edited to add: I wrote out a document outlining all the trouble I had with this person, and brought it to the police. That went into the file, as well.

[AnalogWife]

I would consider the CPS threat a gift because I would not want these people in my life but would probably be wishy washy about it---but once something as concrete as that comes in there'd be no more guilt, I'd feel empowered to cut them OFF and OUT.

Glad I read this thread, some good advice, thanks all, and gl OP!

[mamadebug]

I think you got a lot of great advice here. When threatened with something like that, it is wise to prepare for the worst. I also want to possibly give you a little perspective - I have reported to CPS and desperately wanted them to come check out a kid in my class. It was a well documented situation complete with multiple injuries photographed by the school nurse - it was a pretty extreme situation. They only came after multiple calls over the course of a week. I really, truly can not imagine them showing up because they get a report of someone being "too rough". What is "too rough" anyways? Spanking isn't against the law - not at all saying I condone it, but that isn't even a reason CPS would come out. My experience is that they are so over loaded with cases that a report of someone being "too rough" would never amount to much.