Sick Kids in Public

[Annie]

How do you feel about people bringing their sick children out in public places (ie: lessons, indoor play centres etc.)

Do you think the sick policies should be different for things like fun activities, daycares or schools? Under what conditions would you keep your child home from each?

[Lollyellen]

I hate it when I see a not-well child in public activities. Not only because my child will ultimately catch what is going around, but for that kid's own good! I hate letting Sam go to school when he's not 100% - or sometimes not even 80% - and when his immune system is already being assaulted by whatever. But public school attendance policies determine the amounts of days that they'll tolerate absences, even caused by sickness...and that's been brutal for us in Sam's 6 years of public school history - with his asthma issues (regular colds and coughs turning into total fullblown asthma episodes which last days/weeks - pneumonia - the list can go on and on...)

As a preschool/daycare teacher for many years, I've seen kids sent in ALL KINDS of conditions (pathetic) and my heart just knots right up for them...you know they'd rather be home with someone who gives two you-know-what's about them rather than some teenager who's never been a mom and her shift happens to make her head-of-the-class for half the day. Okay, that's another topic altogether though. :lol:

I *would* keep my child home from public places/fun activities/school if my child were coughing/runny nose/etc. IF other people would do so. Keeping them out though, when it's minor (minor cough/runny nose/etc. - obvious "not well child") doesn't do any good if no one else plays by the rules, unfortunately...

If I feel like its *major* (major hacking/major running body fluids) I do anyway - but 10 years so far of Mom-ing has taught me that like HALF of the population does not even blink an eye. :no: