protocol for outings when sick

[lucyp]

I have a little whinge / querey on the "protocol" for sick babies at mothers group / outings with other young bubs........ Perhaps it's just me being over protective of my little one - but I really don't think its acceptable to bring an obviously sick bub to a mothers group...

We attended ours the other day where one bub was quite obviously sick - greeen snot everywhere and barking a bit like a dog... I thought it was a bit off at the time then dismissed it till my little one came down with green snot and wheezing 1-2 days later. :eek: I now have a unhappy little camper at home and a very tired mummy. Am I being a bit harsh thinking one should leave sick bubbies at home ??

[jlrjyeboah]

I agree. If the kids are obviously sick and the parent in question needs to get out of the house, then go somewhere outdoors, not an enclosed space with other kids.

[Briannabear]

I wouldnt take my daughter somewhere like that if she was sick, so Id expect the same respect from other mums.

Its one of those things though.... how do you approach the subject with people without offending the mother of the sick child?

[AM]

I think it is sensible to keep your sick children away from others if at all possible. You would think it was a no brainer really, as it is just so awful coping with sick children, I personally would do everything I could to minimize exposure to anyone else, as I wouldn't wish it on anyone!

Angie

[Chickadee]

All daycares have a policy of not bringing your bub if they're sick. Mother's groups and play groups should have one too. You should discuss it with the other mum's and make it a rule, without making it like you're ganging up on the one who brought the sick bub.

[mumofethan]

I completely agree with this, i NEVER take my son out when he is sick... for two reasons:

1. I dont want him infecting other kids and therefore making me very unpopular.
2. I dont want him to get any worse than he already is

I think that taking a sick child to play with other kids is down right rude.

[maybe1more]

I never take me son out when hes sick, not only because he could pass it on, but for the fact that kids want to be a home where its warm and they are in there there "comfort zone". I dont know how parents can take there kids out when there sick, it must be harder work aswell. I get so annoyed when i see sick kid at playgym, not only are they spreading germs, but there mother is too busy catching up on the latest gossip to be watching there child and blowing there nose. It grosses me out.

[mummy_to_4]

i cant understand mothers who do this. The best place for a sick baby/child is at home espcially if it is something contagious.
At the centre where I work we have had a couple of cases of whooping cough, anyway we have been telling all parents to be aware of the signs/symptoms and to see a dr straight away. Anyway I was telling this one mother whose child attends one day a week about it and she said so casually "oh well B had that about a month ago, remember he was in hospital over night and I brought him into care straight afterwards, drs say he had whooping cough" Then why didnt you tell us that then so we were aware???? :mad: :mad: :mad:
Some people just dont think.

[draught]

I have had a friend visiting this week who has children who are now in their 20's. Both my girls have a shocking cough at the moment - one of those coughs where you can almost see the germs shooting out of their mouths while they are coughing. Despite this they are both in great spirits and tootling around the place as if nothing is wrong. I told my friend how we had to cancel playgym and a play date during the week and have put friend's with a birthday party on notice that we might not be attending if the girls aren't better. She was quite surprised and said that when her kids were small they never did such things but took the attitude that all the kids catching colds from each other was part of building their immunity etc. As soon as she said this I had memories of my own childhood, going out with colds, etc and the attitude of everyone catching mumps or chicken pox from each other in order to get it over and done with! I suppose it is a further step in our "cotton-wooling" of our children that we have this change in attitude. I for one am going to keep on keeping my children at home though - they are happier, and I don't need to feel guilty about spreading their germs unnecessarily.

To highlight my point a friend of mine told me last week of a very sad story about a friend of hers from play group who has a baby about the same age as my youngest. This baby caught a virus from it's toddler sibling - one of those virus's that our kids always seem to have - but this one was obviously a bit different because by the end of it the baby had brain damage, and will never recover fully. The family are selling their house so that they can afford to have the mother stay home and care for this child for the rest of it's life and the doctor's are still trying to identify the virus. That story is enough for me to want to keep my kids at home - for their sake and for the sake of other children. Imagine the guilt if your child spread a bug that had that sort of consequence on a baby?!

[lucyp]

Thanks everyone for your input - I did think initially I was being a little paranoid - and I know that bub will be exposed to things at school etc but after 3- days at home with an unhappy bubby - I suppose I was a little cross at not being told .

I always ring the people I am visiting if I am unwell or bub is unwell (particularly if they are elderly or have young ones of their own) to give them the option of whther they want us to still visit - then the decision is theirs to make. I then would expect the same courtesy and have many friends that already extend this.. so I guess maybe I have been lucky/sheltered or whatever till now :) Parenthood is such a learning curb in so many aspects!!!! :cool:

[Rell]

I agree if your kids are sick you keep them home. I am very anoyed at a friend at the moment. She has just had a baby so I offered to take her eldest to playgroup for her, at playgroup I overheard the child telling my daughter she was sick last night. When her mother picked her up I mentioned it to her and she said she was up several times last night vomiting and with a high temp. I could not belive she did not care about her daughter infecting not only my kids but all the kids at playgroup. This friend has been known for her selfish behaviour before but I never imagined she would be that selfish. Sorry for the rant but sometimes it helps to vent to someone.

[flower]

I have a little whinge / querey on the "protocol" for sick babies at mothers group / outings with other young bubs........ Perhaps it's just me being over protective of my little one - but I really don't think its acceptable to bring an obviously sick bub to a mothers group...

We attended ours the other day where one bub was quite obviously sick - greeen snot everywhere and barking a bit like a dog... I thought it was a bit off at the time then dismissed it till my little one came down with green snot and wheezing 1-2 days later. :eek: I now have a unhappy little camper at home and a very tired mummy. Am I being a bit harsh thinking one should leave sick bubbies at home ??

God!!! I couldn't agree more...ladies keep your snotty kids at home. I know sometimes you need to get out...but that's where the sharing ends......dont allow snotty children near newbies.....it's really mean!
Orly's mom.

[flower]

I wouldnt take my daughter somewhere like that if she was sick, so Id expect the same respect from other mums.

Its one of those things though.... how do you approach the subject with people without offending the mother of the sick child?

Without offending the mother?? The fact that a mother deliberatley brings a knowingly sick child to mingle with others children IS offensive!!! Offend!! Knock yourself out!
Tell her your leaving as you dont want the cooties..........go hard!
Orly's mom.

[angcaltam]

I believe that sick kids should be kept at home.
My friends and I have talked about this while our bubs were very little and decided that if we had organised a get together and one kid is sick we should let the others know so it is up to them if they want their kids around a sick child. This works great and prevents any fall outs.

[Rainbowbrite]

I agree, its wrong. Just this week I was not well, running high fevers so we missed a mothers group. I could not live with myself if i thought i or my DD made others sick.

[Angelmist♥]

I am going to have my own vent here!
When my oldest son was 2 days old we brought him home from hospital, we were probably home no longer than 2 hours when my sister in law brought her 4 kids over all with snotty noses and coughs! My hubby and I both thought it was outrageously rude but no-one thought anything of it. Anyway when my other sister in law (a nurse) had her first baby everyone thought I was rude because I didnt visit straight away due to a severe case of tonsilitis!I really dont get some ppl :confused: Anyway sorry had to vent but I certainly know how you feel and I think it's great that u call and give ppl the option of staying away or visiting anyway.