Is you child too sick for school? Today my child was for a little whilst- then she got better so I sent her for the afternoon. Is this right or wrong? Mean parent moment?
Are you one of those dreaded parents that send your child to school with snot running down their face or the parent who sends your kid to school making them promise to cover each and every cough so that none of their little friends get it? I am not THAT parent but I do think if my child is well enough to want to play computer games, argue with me over homework then they are okay at school. I gave her medicine for a headache, checked her temperature (normal) re-packed her lunch and sent her on her way with a mild lecture on how proud I was of her for showing resilience and reassuring her that if her headache came back I was just 5 minutes away. (probably 10 minutes as I would need to go wee first – see below)
I hate germs, I am a germophobic. I have been better since having kids because, well they automatically come with germs as they poop and splutter and spit etc. I have got over many of my “issues”. However after getting Viral Meningitis and nearly dying (quite frankly with the pain I wished I would die), I started up my Hand sanitizer addiction again.
It mostly comes out in public parks and toilets.
After having two children the size of bowling balls I spend a great deal of time in public toilets, this includes the School toilets. Now let me tell you this hard truth parents. YOUR CHILDREN DO NOT WASH THEIR HANDS.
90% of kids (my personal scientific evaluation and by no means factual) do not wash their hands let alone wash them properly. Then your child goes out and plays with another germ sodden child and before you know it we have a total outbreak commonly down played by parents and teachers as “Oh there is something going around”. Umm yes , it’s going around because people don’t have basic hygiene and know soap goes on both sides of your hands and yes that tap is too hard for the 1st graders to press actually doesn’t get pressed by the 1st graders.
Basic math is Germ + Germ = sick child.
Firstly we have the parents who need to work so send their child sick to school as they have no other choice. I respect that but – You sending your child to school sick is passing it on to another person who might not get just a sniffle or a cold. Someone with low immune system might get that “bit of a cold” and suffer more.
What’s your view? How do you know if your child is too sick for school?
Updated to add: With the impending shortage of Hand Sanitizers, disinfectant cleaners
, and Medical masks this DIY sanitizer is a great starting point to making your own and making sure your family is protected as best they can be against, flu, influenza A, B and Coronavirus.
I work in a school. Last week one of our 5 year olds came in & proudly announced that “last night I threw up all over my bed!” A little questioning confirmed that she did indeed. “But it’s alright. Mummy gave me some medicine & I feel fine now.” Yet the parents still saw fit to send the (probably contagious) child into mix with 29 classmates & a pregnant teacher. It drives me mad how people put the inconvenience of having to take time off work over the health of everyone else. (and typically, it is now half term, and as always, I am ill.)
Outside of a true health disability, which should be under a doctor’s care, there are a few other reasons to keep a child out of school or daycare.
FEVER, always. Messy colds. Sores not healing in a day or so. Pinkeye. Broken or badly sprained limbs, which should also be under a doctor’s care. Vomiting. Those are all observable or measurable. That said, any complaint by child that will keep them out of school, more than rarely or frequently, needs to be checked by a doctor. If child badly just needs to not be in school and is having symptoms that are frequent at all, he or she may be showing signs that fear or unhappiness with school are responsible and that should also be checked out with the school nurse, counselor and teacher. Symptoms can be a valid physical response to school avoidance, and should be addressed carefully. Remember, you are in charge of monitoring your child’s health. Staying home from work is an inconvenience, or even a financial hardship, but the child is yours, and that should be all you consider if they are truly sick or contagious. IMO.