Early Intervention Strategies for Success

Sharing What Works in Supporting Infants & Toddlers and the Families in Early Intervention

Early Intervention Strategies for Success, Tips, Insight and Support for EI Practitioners

 

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  • You Sat in a Wet Spot Again…What Do You Do?(current)

Toddler Looking at PuppyIf you haven’t sat in a wet spot yet on a visit, the chances are very likely that you will someday. It just comes with the territory of working with infants and toddlers in natural environments. With infants with reflux, potty-training toddlers and little ones roaming the house with sippy cups, family pets, and other mini-disasters waiting to happen, managing the environment can be tricky, for you and for the parent. Accidents happen in any home so how do you handle it gracefully when you stumble upon or sit in one of them? I hope you don’t find this post too crude, but it is a reality in home visitation that bears thinking about.

So what do you do?

Do you ignore the wet spot and plan to change clothes after the visit?

Do you tell the family and ask for a towel?

Do you plan ahead and wear clothing that can get messy to avoid the stress and discomfort that goes with this situation?

Or better yet, do you get up off the floor and join the family in a routine somewhere else?

How you handle situations like this can have a significant impact on your perceptions about your working environment, your thoughts about the family and your relationship with them. Probably the first things to do are avoid judgement, approach the situation objectively, and be kind about what happened. Most families would be embarrassed to know that this happened the first time, much less again. Be kind, don’t make a big fuss about it, and move on. Accidents happen!

How have you handled this situation?

2 comments on “You Sat in a Wet Spot Again…What Do You Do?

  • Brenda Laws says:

    Depends on the “wet spot”. If it is from the baby/child I let the family know a diaper change or different cup is needed and assist with clean up. If it is a pet, I’ll let the family know and allow them the clean-up honors.

    I’ve told my families over the years that what I wear is wear and wash and let then know accidents happen. If I’m that uncomfortable, I’ll stand or sit on a coat.

    One piece of advise I heard from a more seasoned HVer when I started was to always avoid sitting on upholstered furniture, be cautious when sitting on carpet ( can cover holes) and test the furniture/chair to be sure it is sturdy enough to hold you. Priceless advise! I would rather be wet that lying in the floor from a fall.

    Reply
    • This is great advice, Brenda! Testing the waters before you sit down is easy to do and can be done without calling attention to what you’re doing. We always want to be careful not to offend a family by showing them that we don’t want to sit where they have offered for us to be. I also love what you said about wearing wash and wear clothing. I used to tell families the same thing – that I was dressed for fun so if I got messy that was a-ok!

      Reply

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