Home > Research Legal Advice > Family > Do I have to follow Child Protective Services demands on how to discipline?
Get private, personalized proposals from top-rated lawyers ready to help you.
Asked 11 months ago - Brooklyn, NY
FlagLast night CPS came in and started undermining my relationship with my child. They criticized my parenting stating that I let my 5 year old daughter get away with too much and reward her bad behavior I need to put her on timeout chair. The social worker got down to my daughter's level and told my daughter firmly that if she doesn't stop then they will have serious problems. I believe that child misbehave because they have trouble managing their emotions. If they learn how to manage the emotions that drive them to misbehavior, they will behave. Punishment does get compliance but that that would only work short term and the child never learns to manage the emotions that drive them to their behavior. Punishment comes from an external source.
First, never again let CPS into your home unless they have a valid court order and they show it to you. If they have a valid court order, they will most likely have a police escort, so if they don't and you have any doubts whatsoever, DO NOT open the door and call your attorney immediately. Once they get into your life, it is extremely difficult to get them out no matter how unwarranted their involvement.
Second, I strongly suggest you take the time to meet with a local attorney immediately so that you can fully review all your rights, options and obligations before you take any further action. You can find attorneys in your area by searching among the profiles here on Avvo. Good luck!
While I don't handle abuse cases in NY State, I agree with Ms. Brown. I am not sure how CPS got involved, perhaps it was a referral, but a removal requires serious allegations of abuse or neglect, and even being involved with services still requires a court order. Your comments on parenting style certainly may be a difference in style but don't seem to constitute a potential har to the child. As mentioned you may want to consult an attorney who handles these types of cases in NY State because an attorney can often obtain information as to why CPS was involved with you and your child in the first place and then figure out a way to counter their involvement.
Don't speak legalese? We define thousands of terms in plain English.
Browse our legal dictionary