Me, Female (28), I teach preschoolers. Every day parents have to drop off their children in between 7:30-8:30 am for school. I have two parents it doesn’t matter who drops them off mom or dad who comes in smelling of weed. It is VERY STRONG. All this mom does is ,come in, sign in her kid in, and leave and somehow the whole classroom smells of weed. I have started using febreeze and opening windows to try and get rid of the smell but it only does so much. Now before anyone says anything, I’m not anti-weed, I don’t care if you do it. Just don’t do it in front of your kids because it affects them and alters their mental state as a second hand high. Also, she literally drove there under the influence. Back to the story, the kid is literally smelling of this all day, the other students don’t want to sit by him and when the parents show up some kids will say “it stinks in here” not understanding why. I’ve had some parents make weird looks at me and say where is that weed smell coming not knowing. Would I be the AH if I ask these parents not to smoke before dropping their kid off?
If you work with children in a licensed facility, you are a mandatory reporter. You are legally obligated to contact social services and report this. NTA
This. It drives me insane how often I see posts like this. You are a mandated reporter!!!!
Depends on the state or country (OP doesn’t say she’s in the US). I just looked at my state’s list of things mandatory reporters have to report, and smelling like weed is nowhere on there – smelling like meth, on the other hand, looks like it’s reportable.
In this case, if she were in my state, the fact that the parents are driving the kid to school while under the influence would probably fall under the clause where they’re creating a reasonable probability of bodily injury.
If mom is driving the child while high, that’s child endangerment. That’s a MR for sure.
YTA. The appropriate thing to say is “Hi, we’ve notice kiddos clothes have a very particular smell and its causing disruptions in the class and with other parents. Any idea what we can do to resolve this? Otherwise we may need to schedule a more formal meeting to discuss.
Basically, don’t lock yourself into any assumptions. Theres a smell, you think you know cause, don’t make the leap to they are driving under influence. It could simply be they smell like taht all the time, there house is like that etc.
Just focus on what you know, theres a smell, its in the clothes its disruptive and your getting compliants.
I imagine there is some kind of protocol at your school….if you are a teacher, you should not be getting this advice from reddit.
Ask the guidance councellor, principal, whatever…if you suspect she is driving high therefore kids are in danger, there must be a process the school needs to follow.
Pot is legal just like alcohol, you can’t do much about them smoking in front of kids just like you can’t say don’t drink wine in front of kids, so that angle is out.
As far as the child smelling and other kids comment, THAT can be broached with parent, that you’re concerned about effect is has on the child and see if parent can problem solve how to try and ensure kids clothes smell clean.
Report it to the Principal and have them do the heavy lifting on this. I would not confront the parents themselves. But do note to the Principal that you are also informing them in your role as Mandated Reporter and let them file that complaint as well.
(Retired preschool teacher here.)
Yes, this is absolutely a job for administration to handle, and report. Difficult conversations, paperwork, and any potential awkwardness are not yours to own here.
I would also assume that their home, vehicles and clothing are absolutely permeated, and it may not be possible to remove the smell completely. Maybe they need to send kiddo to school with a change of clothes that are fresh from the dryer and bagged immediately. It breaks my heart that other kids don’t want to sit with him, it’s not his fault. And maybe that’s the way to reason with the parents, not an assumed attack on their lifestyle.
Ask your principal this question.. and make sure they have your back before you discus this with the parents.
NtA
Your right.. but don’t get fired over this.
Feels like this is above your pay grade. Pull in the manager and let them deal with it.
Contact child protective services. Kids shouldn’t be exposed to that shitty environment.
NTA but you need to act. Get your supervisor involved asap. This could impact licensing.
Impaired parents are not allowed to enter/pick up kids at most daycares, and I don’t know who is running PR for weed, but it impairs your and your kid’s brain!!! Like, don’t do it in a car with your kids you fucking assholes?!?! Why do people think it is harmless??
Mandated reporting is part of your job. Here the law takes precedent over your personal decisions
Would this fall under mandatory reporting? Especially driving while intoxicated?