Okay guys--I got torn up on my new BMB this morning for being unreasonble and ridiculous for the following post. Please tell me that you understand where my frustration level is coming from...
On Wednesday, our nany called at about 7AM and said she was not going to come in that day because she had "bronchitis" and had been feeling crappy all yesterday (when she was watching our daughter). I said that was fine, scrambled for childcare and went to work.
She texted me at about 9:15 PM that evening and said she was still feeling crappy and coughing alot, so she needed to stay at home Thursday, too. I was irritated at the late notice, but found more childcare, and got through yesterday. Last night, I called her to see how she was feeling and she said she was feeling better and would come today.
This morning, she texted and said she needed to stay at home one more day because she was still feeling bad. Then, our 15 month old woke up with a 103.5 degree fever. I immediately called the nanny and asked her if when she was saying "bronchitis," if she really meant she had a fever. Turns out, she had had fevers all this week, but just hadn't thought to mention that rather important detail to me. I have told her before to never come to work sick, and pay her full days when she is sick--so I can't imagine what incentive she would have to keep "trying" to come to work and failing to mention the fever to me... Total breakdown in communication.
So, now I have a baby with a 103.5 fever, I have been kissing all over her and sharing meals with her for the last few days, and now I will probably get sick, too, which freaks me out because the new autism and mental health study that showed any fever during pregnancy greatly raised the risk of having children with autism or other developmental disorders. Great.
Re: Am I being unreasonable? My new BMB thinks so...
I don't think you're being unreasonable, especially if you are offering to pay her full days for NOT coming in sick. That is really generous! She shouldn't be coming into work sick, especially when she is working with kids. That would frustrate me, too, because my health is at stake as well. For you being pregnant, it's not like you can take many medications for being sick! Tylenol sure, but no Sudafed, Nyquil, etc. I'm sorry you're dealing with this
I don't think you are being unreasonable.
I have a big issue with people who come to work sick. Stay at home and get well. I'd rather pick up the slack than have to suffer and be sick.
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I think you are perfectly reasonable with the nanny part. I do think that the autism/fever while pregnant thing was what they may have jumped on though...that seems a little alarmist but that is just me.
I would be pissed if my DCP didn't tell me she was sick...actually, I am a bit mad at my DCP because some of the pre-school kids have/had Fifths Disease (sp?) and she didn't notify us. But that is another story for another day.
You're definitely not being unreasonable.
212 Facebook Admin.
all of this. Sorry you are dealing with this situation!
BFP 3.8.16 EDD 11.20.16
I agree with Lancy. I rarely post on Oct13 because there are a number of obnoxious FTM that have strong opinions and no experience to back it up. We were all there once, but it is frustrating to be called out by people who do not know what you are talking about. There are a few STM's who are great over there, but they are few and far between. The rest of them just like a reason to snark. This is why I stick with my 212 ladies
BTW Sooner, have you/will you be finding out the sex of #2?
BFP #1 1/11/11 M/C 2/4/11
BFP #2 6/13/11 Baby E born 2/18/12
BFP #3 12/3/12 C/P 12/5/12
BFP #4 2/10/13 Baby R born 10/19/13
Considering most of the people that responded to that post already have kids your idea of obnoxious FTM's is moot. They have experience with children so I'm sure they do know what they are talking about.
Sooner - I can see why you're upset with your nanny. While you left out some details in your original post (how you've explained to your nanny about fevers, your actual response to her, ect.), you clearly stated your case in responding to everyone and from what I saw, didn't back pedal.
BUT - I think the whole "OMG - I was loving on my kid with a 103.5 fever and now my unborn child is going to have autism" is what really made me roll my eyes. You aren't even sick and your upset at your nanny for exposing your unborn child to autism. It's a HUGE reach and I think your irrationally upset for nothing.
I know we aren't friends and hardly see eye to eye on things, but I don't see why they got on your case about being upset at your nanny.
Ditch those bishes and talk with us about your pregnancy! It wasn't sooo long ago that all our advice is outdated....I think being annoyed is totally on point, and I would be super clear (nice but crystal clear) with the nanny. My only other thought is....if you know anyone sick has been around DD or you, just act as if they were fevered and plague carrying. I going into super germophobe mode when sickish people are about, you might actually find some peace of mind in that.
And on the fevers...I was sick three times with DD2 - 105 fever was the highest - the other two were up around 102, 103. I was super stressed and it killed my immune system. She's perfectly fine and is 5.5, and has been autism screened to make sure she isn't high functioning. They decided she's just really smart and independent. So put that worry out of your head! Not a THING you can do about it.
Aww...thank you guys so much! You actually have made me feel so much better! I might actually be a little teary reading your responses!
And JLDubb...the whole autism/fever link was just one sentence in my original post, and it was just something that was on my mind this morning because I read that stuff and try to take care of myself, and then as soon as she woke up this morning so feverish, I was thinking about how many times this week I finished up the other half of her quesadilla after she had finished with dinner, or how many times she drank a drink of my water, and how many sloppy open-mouthed kisses she had given me in the past few days. Of course I am not going to stop loving on her when she has been exposed to something--but since I am pregnant, I probably wouldn't have shared food and drinks with her if I knew there was a good chance that she had been exposed for several days in a row to some apparently nasty virus. And all I really wanted was just a head's up and an "I'm out until further notice because I have a fever." Not the vague references to "coughing" and "I think I can come in tomorrow because I am feeling a little better" stuff.
That is all--it really was just a total vent and not intended to be anything more than that. I just couldn't deal with the totally unexpected responses.
If you guys don't mind, I think I will just post here more. Like Favority said, I don't think I have met a single person on that new board that I feel any connection with.
And for anyone who was wondering, we found out the other day that we are having a little boy! Ahh!! I know nothing about boy things, so please educate me on everything!
Like I said, I can understand why you're upset with your nanny about being vauge/not up front with the fever, especially since you have stated you told her your strict policy on fevers. I was just stating that the only thing I could see in your original OP that was side-eye worthy/a reason to disagree with you is your reference to the autism post because you tied that information into another reason why you were upset with her.
Congrats on a sweet little boy!
BFP #1 1/11/11 M/C 2/4/11
BFP #2 6/13/11 Baby E born 2/18/12
BFP #3 12/3/12 C/P 12/5/12
BFP #4 2/10/13 Baby R born 10/19/13
Thanks! We are super pumped--although I also thought it would have been so much fun for C to have a sister to grow up with. With babies, you really can't go wrong!
Do you know what you are having yet?!
Boys are SOOOOO fun. They really ARE different from girls. They really DO love love love Mom in a totally different, consuming way and it's so mutual.
After two girls, and even expecting it and trying to prevent it, I was still shocked when DS peed in my face. This should go on the FFFC, but I wiped off my face and hair, and as I had just had a shower and another was not happening, went on with my day.
LOVE IT! That is too funny. The things we do that we probably always thought we would never do. I didn't wash my hair this morning. I am on day 3.5 of no hair washing. Just couldn't deal with that on top of a sick kid. So, yeah...gross. But that's life.
Doc is 75% sure it is a baby girl, but kiddo was so active she couldn't get a good shot. They will double check at my A/S in 2 weeks. I had this same problem with E, couldn't get a good shot because she was so wild... She still is lol.
BFP #1 1/11/11 M/C 2/4/11
BFP #2 6/13/11 Baby E born 2/18/12
BFP #3 12/3/12 C/P 12/5/12
BFP #4 2/10/13 Baby R born 10/19/13
Not unreasonable at all.
J has gotten sick a few times from his babysitter and her kids, and I was incredibly annoyed each time that she didn't do more to prevent it, or didn't let us know until it was too late (after we'd shown up at her house), so we could keep him home.
Risk of autism/ developmental disorders is a very touchy subject. I have found that as soon as someone includes the word autism in their post, unless they are talking about a child who is definitely diagnosed, the internet jumps on it.And, hey! Congrats on the boy! I have to say I LOVE being Mama to a little boy.
I've actually heard about there being a relationship between getting sick during pregnancy and autism. This was 5 to 6 years ago and I hadn't heard much since. I don't think one fever is going to "cause autism," but I totally agree with you, sooner, that its a good reminder to take care if ourselves during pregnancy!
It was in Pediatrics, and I think it was published at the end of the year. Very interesting research and a fairly-significant sample size/controls.
This.
Yay, glad to see you back here, hope you mean it when you say you'll post more - it's been so dead lately!
And congrats on the little boy - now you get to experience the best (and worst) of both worlds!
As for your post, honestly I don't even have a clue what they could have jumped all over you on because nothing in there seems even remotely inflammatory!!
It has been dead lately--that was why I was trying my hand with a new BMB. But I just don't think I belong over there!
I need to see an updated picture of your little girl--she is such a cutie!
So I just read the entire 3 page thread...damn, those girls need some reading comprehension skills!
Just stay here!
I don't think you were overreacting at all. I'd also be upset if my DCP clearly violated a rule we set in place at the expense of my child's health. I personally wouldn't be as concerned about my own health though.
You are not being unreasonable at all. You had an understanding, she broke it. When I was a nanny they basically told me that they didn't care if I got their daughter sick because they had no other options. I knew I had to go to work no matter what. Your situation is completely different. All she had to do was tell you she had a fever and you would have figured something out.
You are not overreacting at all.
ETA-- A BOY!!! YAY!!! I love boys! Obviously I am not biased but I agree with PP that there is something between a mom and her boys, DH says they are both obsessed with me, even still at 4. He still wants to hug and kiss me even when his friends are around, but the funny thing is so do his friends, so it seems most boys are like this. Congratulations!! Best of both worlds
Glad that you're back, you've been missed! And congrats on your little boy - they are awesome, and SO much fun!
I dont think that you overreacted with your nanny, I'd be upset too. Sick kiddos are the worst, especially since you cant explain to them that they'll feel better soon. I hope that C gets better quickly.
Just kidding!
No, not at all.