Sick Kids at Playgroup

JustMarried2005

I'm a SAHM and do weekly playgroups with my neighbors.  My other group has a pretty strict sick kid policy (don't bring them if they have any active symptoms) but not this group.  This one lady keeps bringing her kid who will have a runny nose, or she will casually mention she was up all night dealing with diarrhea!

I really like this group, but is there a tactful way I can bring up to please leave your sick kid at home, especially with flu season coming.  I hate to have to be "that" person of the group, but really, this is just a SAHM's playgroup - it's not imperative that we bring our kids every week, so I really don't understand why the sick ones can't stay home!  Any thoughts or advice appreciated...

CoastieWife08

If it is an organized group, suggest you have a little meeting about flu season and what you're all doing to prepare/stay safe.  Everyone can suggest what they do and then mention keeping your kids at home if they have XYZ symptoms.   Make it a group thing so it doesn't look like you're calling the woman out and so everyone is on the same page.

CindiLu1

My opinion is that kids get sick and it's not a big deal to bring them to playgroup if they are feeling ok.  If they are grouchy and feel bad then keep them at home.

Do you stay home when you have a runny nose or cough?

brideatbeach

Our play group pretty much follows the sick rules well. If your child has had diarrhea more than twice in a 24hr period, tempeture withen the last 24 hours, cold, etc... than you can't come. But if symptoms are teething related than it is ok because obviously that is not contagious.

JustMarried2005

CindiLu1:

My opinion is that kids get sick and it's not a big deal to bring them to playgroup if they are feeling ok.  If they are grouchy and feel bad then keep them at home.

Do you stay home when you have a runny nose or cough?

I SAH, so it's pretty easy for me to stay at home when I don't feel good, so yeah, I do.  I understand that people would still work while sick, and probably still try to get their kids into daycare, and I understand that. Different rules apply for SAH get togethers - they are not mandatory and you can always come next week after your kids are better  

mlf625

CindiLu1:

My opinion is that kids get sick and it's not a big deal to bring them to playgroup if they are feeling ok.? If they are grouchy and feel bad then keep them at home.

Do you stay home when you have a runny nose or cough?

I totally disagree- a sick kid should not be around other kids. ?And yes, I do stay home when I have a runny nose or cough (or all night long diarrhea). ?And if I DO have to go out, I'm not putting things in my mouth and handing them to other people who will put them right in their mouths.

Is there a group organizer? ?Could that person send out an email to the whole group with some "friendly" flu season reminders, including not bringing your child to group if he/she has been ill??

Tess12

I think it's unrealistic to expect people to keep their kids home if they have the sniffles or a runny nose. We went to play group on Tuesday.  There were a few runny noses and now M is sick.  I'm not annoyed at anyone, but I did decide to keep her home today.

Personally, I base whether I bring M out or not on how many germs I think she can spread.  If her nose needs to be wiped occasionally, I figure it's pretty harmless.  If her nose is dripping like a faucet, getting on her hands, clothes, and toys, then I assume there's lots of potential for germ spreading and we stay home.  I can't expect other moms to have my same criteria, though.

CoastieWife08

Tess12:

I can't expect other moms to have my same criteria, though.

But, if you're part of an organized playgroup, you CAN expect them to have the same criteria.  This isn't mom's staying home from work to take care of sick kids and missing work.  This is a SAHM group, so staying home with your sick child isn't a big deal, imo.

Here are the rules for my mom's group, that we all must follow and agree to follow when signing up:

For the health and safety of all our moms and kids, please stay home if you or your child show any of these symptoms within the past 24 hours: a temperature of 100 degrees or higher diarrhea or vomiting a rash eye, ear or nasal discharge, other than clear sore throat You should remain at home until you/your child are/is free of symptoms for 24 hours. This is for your protection as resistance is low when you are ill and you are more susceptible to other infections. 

citygirl_

CindiLu1:

My opinion is that kids get sick and it's not a big deal to bring them to playgroup if they are feeling ok.  If they are grouchy and feel bad then keep them at home.

Do you stay home when you have a runny nose or cough?

I disagree.  I have a few moms that I am close with and we ALWAYS give each other a heads-up if one of our kids has a cold and we're planning to get-together.  Usually we reschedule, even for a cold.  My son has gotten very, very sick in the past and I really don't appreciate when others bring their sick kids out in public... kids share toys, put things in their mouth, etc.  Totally different than an adult.

Anyway - to the OP - maybe you could say something casually about your other playgroup having a strict policy about no sick kids and you think it'd be a good idea to adopt that policy.  I hate being "that" mom, too, but when your child gets really sick, it's easier to speak up!  Don't feel bad...  and bring some kid-safe sanitizer with ya!