Some youngsters who continue to nurse well into childhood are for many years nearly weaned. Actual weaning, says La Leche League, is a personal decision to be made by each mother, based on her particular family situation and individual circumstances. Many mothers who nurse past infancy wonder if they are likely to be reported for abuse. To be frank, any parenting practice that is unfamiliar or unacceptable to a caseworker may be viewed unfavorably, adding fuel to an already growing fire. Parenting practices that could influence the attitude of caseworkers include not only prolonged nursing, but also the family bed, nudity, non-vaccination, alternative healthcare treatment, and even homeschooling.
Sexual issues can definitely complicate a situation and send off alarms in a caseworker's mind.
When a mother is reported for abuse, her life is placed under a microscope. Because that is the caseworker's job. While anyone can be reported for abuse, the report must be investigated before the accused can be found guilty of abuse. And the difficult task of investigating whether or not a child is being abused falls to the caseworker. The only way to determine the underlying reality of each situation is to talk to the accused, examine the victim, and look at the surrounding circumstances.