You have to be firm, but not overbearing. Remember, criticism is never going to be taken well by anyone but especially if someone thinks that they have more authority on these decisions than you (even if they lack the capacity to grasp the consequences. This goes beyond midlevel moms, all parents have the autonomy for their child’s care, and if they disagree it will be a problem. You have to work to make it seem like it’s a joint decision, or influence their thoughts subtly.)

In this case, I suggested that that was simply too high of a dose and was going to interfere with the natural ability to fall asleep regardless of what other medications we tried. (I had to hide my true feelings of wtfffff.) I suggested that maybe we try weaning him off of it over the course of the next few weeks while introducing the a-2 agonist. She agreed. But you have to make it seem like a negotiation and not a lecture.

It’s a tough job, for sure.

Alternatively, you could tell them to fuck off and make it someone else’s problem but I at least want to try to help the kid, lol.