Advice: dealing with crazy people?

[Xidelt]

With a student that has a crazy home life that impacts academics, its hard to not give the student some breaks/benefits of the doubt. I'm a teacher as well, and I tend to give these kids extensions, not grade down as hard for late work, etc. Since the mom seems to "not remember" what you said, if you do give the student an extension, etc, I would write it in the student's agenda and initial it. (just another way to document!). Also, if I have to make a phone call to a parent who might be upset, emotional, or "not remember" what I say, I have another teacher stand with me while I make the phone call to act as a witness. Then I document everything in my communication log.