Notes from monitored visits

While your opinion will probably be considered biased if you are wanting to adopt the kiddos I think documentation is always good. Showing up late and not paying attention to the kids are two things the SW may want to know. Are you close enough with your SW that you can ask?

well we are open to adoption of any of the kids of that went that way, the parents have done absolutely nothing the first 12 months(she was placed with grandma when taken back then, then 3 months ago taken from her and placed with me) since she has been with me they have done most of the visits, missed a couple here and there, their visits have been as above and i was just curious if it even matters if i document what goes on....with my last case they wanted me to note everything......my sw seems very strict and she doesn't seem like she wants to devuldge to much info to me. She did make copies of my visitation records though.

If she made copies I think it's helpful to her. Keep taking the notes and documenting. Sad situation, but you know you're doing everything you can possibly do. =0)

Paying attention, being late, texting - are important. Coke and climbing on tables (assuming outdoor tables or small kids on kids tables) are not really important. I mentioned the parents giving our FS coke to our worker. He was about 12 months at the time. She said it was not a big deal and not important. I was stunned for a while. Then I got it - they wont die from it and they will not get hurt. Not everyone is fortunate enough to know what a good diet consists of. Lots of parents do it - kids are not removed for it. I was also told parents love giving their kids treats at visits - and coke can be considered that. I wouldnt recommend putting it in your reportbecause it could make you come off as overly critical or judgemental. If you write out everything that happens and not a short overview then yes -include it all. State (unbiased) facts only. "The kids were given a soda by the parent to drink during their visit. They read books and climbed on the tables as they played" and so on vs "The kids were given soda which we do not let them have since they are young and it is unhealthy." The judge mentioned out loud that our FS loved seeing his father at the visits. He stated that he had numerous reports about him being exited to see him and that he was very happy. He did not mention that the father let him cary around an ipod with explicit rap music. He also did not mention that our FS screamed "help me mommy help help help me" to me when his mom first approached him at a visit (he did this as he got older) or that he would hit her in the legs or face during the visit numerous times. I cannot really know if he took these into consideration - but I think it was all pretty important and likely considered. I do not think if I had mentioned coke it would have made a difference either way. Oh and also if you mention texting please be positive for the sake of the kids. I thought our FS's mom was texting throughout all the visits (but I did not mention it.) Later I found out she was making small video clips of him! She had made so many. Our visits were at a park so I was close - but never over her shoulder to know for sure which is why I ommited it in the reports. Just my thoughts...