A father from California is now worried that his own father might call Child Protection Services (CPS) on him after grandpa found out about the custom-made “calming space” in their closet. This calming space was apparently made so that the man’s children could retreat into the space whenever they’re overstimulated or emotional, but it has quickly turned into a potential problem, as it could count as locking your kids in a closet.
Reddit user MindYourNames is the California man in question and father of the kids with the calming space closet. He recently posted his issue on Reddit to seek legal advice and to determine how to proceed with such a delicate family dynamic.
The idea for the calming space closet for the kids actually came from the California man’s wife, and it was initially just a general-purpose closet. Apparently, their kids have been having some temper issues in the past months, so their own calming space seemed the right thing to do at the time, but the problem is, the kids’ grandfather got angry since the closet door had locks inside, letting the kids shut themselves in.
Hence, when the grandfather saw the closet, he immediately “flipped out” and threatened to call CPS on his own son for “Locking our kids in the closet as a punishment”. However, the father was adamant that the closet was not being used for punishment and that the kids were free to use it anytime and of their own free will.
Simple Solutions from People Online
It’s not clear what the grandfather has done yet or whether he has been placated or not, but it appears the California dad is still worried that perhaps other relatives or even guests might have the same reaction. Hence, he’s now worried that CPS could get involved, all because of a mere closet for kids. Thankfully, the subreddit on which he sought help had a simple solution: remove the locks.
“If your kids wanna chill in the closet, there’s nothing wrong with that. I, along with many others, played in the closet as a kid. If your dad is deadset on calling CPS and you don’t wanna deal with them or him. Just lose the lock on the inside,” suggests Unlucky_Reading_1671
“The lock is really the only thing I could see being an issue, OP. It’s just not safe to let kids lock themselves in somewhere just the same as it’s not safe for you to be locking them somewhere. It’s a major fire safety issue not to mention a list of other issues with it,” according to Additional-Bet7074
Some, however, thought that the grandfather’s reaction and threats were a little too much and even harsh, especially from a 1st-degree relative. Other users were not so tolerant of such a threat:
“That threat would have gotten dad kicked out of my house on the spot and that would have been the last time he got to see me or the kids for the rest of his life. That is an unpardonable threat. One and done,” argues FlakyAddendum742
Some actual lawyers have thankfully chimed in on the matter, and it appears, depending on the phrasing of the call, CPS might actually take the issue seriously. Afterward, it’s up to the CPS agent’s interpretation on how to handle the closet case.
“Your father can call CPS, anyone can. It’s entirely up to CPS whether or not they would open a case,” according to KringlebertFistybuns
“If this is reported in the way your father described it, it could be investigated by CPS… Depending on the caseworker’s education level, training, and personal knowledge, they could easily interpret the closet as a punishment instead of a low-sensory room. If a doctor or health professional recommended this to you for the kids, get a signed letter from them confirming the recommendation,” advises Whyissmynametaken
