what happens now?!

[mamasmissionimpossible]

My neighbour reported us to social services because my dd (3) had a 20 min tantrum and I guess the neighbour was worried. I tried to reassure the neighbour that it was a tantrum and nothing to worry about and that she could see dd had calmed down. However, it seems she has now reported us to SS.

It has really shaken my confidence in being a good parent to my dc's. I'm sure I haven't done anything wrong, but I feel like I am analysing it, to see if I would have done anything different. I let dd have the tantrum and it took 20 mins for her calm down, and then I gave her a cuddle. I don't find that distracting works for dd and it's best just to let the tantrum run its course. Although I realise this might sound distressing for others, but it's what works for dd.

I feel like crying that someone thinks my child may be at risk of harm. :(

I would guess nothing

Maybe you will get a couple of visits which happened to a friend when her DS found some pills in a bin

I would not worry

Do you know it was your neighbour who reported you?

Yes nothing will happen. Just tell the SW what you've told us - that you allowed her to have a tantrum.

Is the neighbour childless by any chance?

It also might be an idea to mention it to your Health Visitor - SS might contact them as well to see if they have any concerns, IYSWIM.

As HerBeX asked, is your neighbour childless? It sounds like you dealt with it in the best possible way - and noone knows your child better than you! If you'd done things a different way, who knows, you might have had a 40 minute tantrum.

Try not to worry.

My friend's son had a tantrum at my house the other day and it literally sounded like someone being tortured. I was expecting the police to arrive however my neighbours have kids so will have gone through it themselves. Please don't in any way worry about your parenting. Tantrums, arguments, etc all sound worse through walls and without context. Eg friends ds was screaming NOOO but this was because she had calmly asked him to say sorry for kicking her, not because she was sticking hot needles in his eyes as someone listening might have thought.

dont worry,i and many others on mn work in ss and are very used to this sort of thing.you may get a visit or two but in this climate (cuts etc) i doubt that they will give it much more as long as they can see things are ok. I am very lucky,my neighbour is deaf :)