Aghhhhhh

[Broodymomma]

So we have just started home study and our so is coming to meet our 6 year old next week and he is now sporting the worst possible black eye due to a unfortunate head bang with his friend. Will it look bad on us??

Sorry, it's not funny at all but I stifled a little giggle at the injustice... if DH and I had birth children and were looking to adopt, this would definitely happen to us!!!

I'd just be up front with the social worker and ask her if she needs you to do anything to allay any concerns (get a letter from the other child's parents to explain what happened for example?)

I'm sure it won't look bad... Lets face it, if you were abusing your child, you'd hardly punch them in the face a few days before a visit would you? (I know that sounds flippant, but hopefully you know what I mean???)

Don't worry!

When DS was a baby, whenever he saw a HV he seemed to have just scratched his face. Same when we had our home visits - always a scraped knee or bruised elbow. Fortunately SW can tell the difference between normal child bumps and something more sinister

Ha ha ha haaa! Sorry yes I giggled too. DS used to sport a lovely bruise generally in the middle of his forehead just a couple of days before just about every SW visit.

Someone on MN told a hysterical story some years ago about bashing her baby's head on the door frame whilst saying goodbye to the SW at the door - TWICE within 5 mins!

You'll be fine!

Thanks everyone. I can laugh now but honestly his timing is just perfect. Then yesterday he fell with his elbow bent and for a awful moment I thought he may have broke his arm. Can just imagine what sw would think walking in to meet him with his black eye and arm in plaster! Thankfully the other mum was there when it happened so she can back me up as to what happened. My nerves will be shot by the time they actually visit.

I shouldn't but couldn't stop laughing at the lady banginge her kids head twice whilst saying goodbye! That will be my luck!!

I will never forget the time our DD's SW and manager were due for a review. DD aged 14 mo climbed on the toy box and threw herself head first onto the skirting board. Cue a black egg shaped bump on her forehead - it was so bad I rang my mum in tears. DM assured me it probably wasn't as bad as I thought, until she arrived at my house and saw the damage. Various suggestions - after we realised that frozen sweet corn on her head wasn't doing much - were to face paint her, stick a balaclava on her (DM helping!!).

After spending an hour with us SW's manager commented that he was surprised DD didn't have more bruises considering how she approached everything with great gusto!!

I can now look back at these incidents (including the time I forgot SW was due and DD was covered in green paint) with laughter. Kids get bruises and SWs realise this - better this than them being wrapped up in cotton wool - you'll be fine.