Would you let your child eat lunch in the school psychologist's office?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't be that keen on it. It could look like favoritism or like avoidance. The psychologist should also have better boundaries and actually take a lunch break themselves or choose a small number of students who are her special pals who hang out in her office with her on her / their breaks.

Wouldn’t choosing special pals be favoritism? Your suggestions sound a little creepy.

OP, this sounds fine. I wish the counselor at my DD’s MS had done this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d have a problem with the fact that the school psychologist introduced themselves as Ms. X.

Why?

Because a psychologist is a doctor.

Actually most aren’t. 99% of school psychologist have masters degrees. You must be thinking of a psychiatrist.

[Anonymous]

I’d be fine with it. She isn’t socializing with them. They are just using her office as a quiet space while she is working in background,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't be that keen on it. It could look like favoritism or like avoidance. The psychologist should also have better boundaries and actually take a lunch break themselves or choose a small number of students who are her special pals who hang out in her office with her on her / their breaks.

If I had to guess there is a kid in the group who has some kind of accommodation for lunch in a quieter place, and the psychologist is pulling in a group of friendly peers.

I have a really kind sweet kid, and he is often pulled into things like that, and while he doesn't need the break the same way some of his friends do, he certainly appreciates it! It's led to friendships that extend outside of school which has been great for everybody.

[Anonymous]

What is your concern? Seems fine to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't be that keen on it. It could look like favoritism or like avoidance. The psychologist should also have better boundaries and actually take a lunch break themselves or choose a small number of students who are her special pals who hang out in her office with her on her / their breaks.

Favoritism for what? Who are you to decide whether the staff person is eating lunch or how to do her job? Sounds like you are concerned your kid could be seen as someone who needs help, and you are too proud for that. There’s a good reason your opinion is in the minority.

[Anonymous]

Yes I would be concerned. I am a mandated reporter myself and the rules are pretty stringent. Some people use their common sense and wisdom more than others; some might report the slightest thing. You will be fine unless you are truly abusing your child but you will be subjected to checks before they clear you. I have made it a point to try to never have my child 1:1 with mandated reporters unless necessary (like a teacher). Your DD won’t be there alone but still.

TL;DR: I am concerned about any fly on the wall situation with a mandated reporter. I’d have a talk with my kid to keep things about his parents and home life to himself and basically to never forget there is a teacher there and be on his best behavior (no dumb jokes etc).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes I would be concerned. I am a mandated reporter myself and the rules are pretty stringent. Some people use their common sense and wisdom more than others; some might report the slightest thing. You will be fine unless you are truly abusing your child but you will be subjected to checks before they clear you. I have made it a point to try to never have my child 1:1 with mandated reporters unless necessary (like a teacher). Your DD won’t be there alone but still.

TL;DR: I am concerned about any fly on the wall situation with a mandated reporter. I’d have a talk with my kid to keep things about his parents and home life to himself and basically to never forget there is a teacher there and be on his best behavior (no dumb jokes etc).

This is the only creepy thing I’ve read on this thread.

[Anonymous]

So OP is concerned something sexual might be going on?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes I would be concerned. I am a mandated reporter myself and the rules are pretty stringent. Some people use their common sense and wisdom more than others; some might report the slightest thing. You will be fine unless you are truly abusing your child but you will be subjected to checks before they clear you. I have made it a point to try to never have my child 1:1 with mandated reporters unless necessary (like a teacher). Your DD won’t be there alone but still.

TL;DR: I am concerned about any fly on the wall situation with a mandated reporter. I’d have a talk with my kid to keep things about his parents and home life to himself and basically to never forget there is a teacher there and be on his best behavior (no dumb jokes etc).

You sound like you are hiding abuse Just so you know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes I would be concerned. I am a mandated reporter myself and the rules are pretty stringent. Some people use their common sense and wisdom more than others; some might report the slightest thing. You will be fine unless you are truly abusing your child but you will be subjected to checks before they clear you. I have made it a point to try to never have my child 1:1 with mandated reporters unless necessary (like a teacher). Your DD won’t be there alone but still.

TL;DR: I am concerned about any fly on the wall situation with a mandated reporter. I’d have a talk with my kid to keep things about his parents and home life to himself and basically to never forget there is a teacher there and be on his best behavior (no dumb jokes etc).

I'm a mandated reporter too (and a parent of teens) and....wut??? I think this is an all around green light situation. I might be paying a little bit "is everything okay" type attention if dd was going by herself to eat lunch there, but the fact that it's with a few friends just really sounds like they have found a place that is more comfortable than the caf and the school psychologist is keeping parents in the loop. There is nothing not to like about that set up IMO.

[Anonymous]

My kid eats in the band room every day. It has been the best thing for them that happened in middle school. Safe place with like-minded people and a trusted adult quietly in the background? So grateful to that teacher for allowing it.

[Anonymous]

My husband leaves his classroom open for kids who want to have lunch in there. Sometimes he's in there working.

Op what is your concern?

For others, I think op used "Ms. X " as a way to not identify the individual. Not as an indication that the psychologist is non binary, or whatever that might stand for.

[Anonymous]

The counselor at my DDs ES was awesome in helping the 5th grade girls work through their drama. The girls would go to her one on one, they would go in groups, have lunch with her, etc. I think she is the person my DD will miss the most next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes I would be concerned. I am a mandated reporter myself and the rules are pretty stringent. Some people use their common sense and wisdom more than others; some might report the slightest thing. You will be fine unless you are truly abusing your child but you will be subjected to checks before they clear you. I have made it a point to try to never have my child 1:1 with mandated reporters unless necessary (like a teacher). Your DD won’t be there alone but still.

TL;DR: I am concerned about any fly on the wall situation with a mandated reporter. I’d have a talk with my kid to keep things about his parents and home life to himself and basically to never forget there is a teacher there and be on his best behavior (no dumb jokes etc).

Teachers are mandatory reporters too.