For a parent taking care of your child becomes among the most important goals in life – if not the most important. When you need to leave your child in another’s hands it is a massive show of trust in another person and if your child is hurt by that person it amounts to an abominable betrayal. Most people who take care of children are warm-hearted and caring but there are a few who most definitely are not. If you are worried that caregivers are not taking proper care of your child here are some signs to look for.
Look for Evidence
The most obvious signs of neglect or abuse will be physical ones. Small children can often go off and become hurt just as part of play but serious injuries like bleeding or broken bones or ones that don’t have obvious everyday causes like bite marks, burns, or abrasions should send up warning flags. Additionally, any injuries to babies could be sign of abuse and serious diaper rash could signal neglect.
There are behavioural symptoms of neglect that might also appear as well. Babies who have been shaken or injured but are not showing physical signs may be lethargic and irritable and showcasing a decreased appetite or vomiting. If your child is putting up a fight when it’s time to go to daycare or the sitter’s it may just be separation anxiety but it could also be more – listen to your instincts. For older kids watch for changes in behaviour or performance in school and ask them about it. If it feels like they’re hiding something investigate further.
Investigate
Take a good look at the environment you’re leaving your child in. Visit during the middle of the day unannounced – most daycares will have no problem with this – and see how your child is being treated. Are there too many kids? Are the caregivers giving proper emotional support? Is the environment healthy? Are they communicating with you properly? Get the answers to these questions and you’ll learn a lot about whether your child is in the right spot.
At the end of the day trust your instincts as a parent and if you feel a daycare or sitter is not treating your child properly remove your child from their care immediately. If you believe your child has been a victim of neglect or abuse it may take years for them to recover. Take action and seek out recompense against those who have hurt them. Call Conte & Associates at 1-877-614-0008. Based in Vaughan and Whitby, Conte & Associates works with clients in Whitby/Oshawa, and in the following cities in Ontario: Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, Clarington, Newcastle, Courtice, Bowmanville, Newcastle, Port Perry, Belleville, and Peterborough.
