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Hawaii Babies
lelekay
member
WWYD?
lelekay
member
So, Henry's been sick this week. He was sent home from daycare first thing Wednesday morning with a high fever. We went to the pedi, and she diagnosed him with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. She said that it's contagious mostly through saliva, therefore babies in daycare often pass it to one another, and also that she's seen it a lot lately. Henry seems to be one of the last kids to get it, as most of the other kids in his class were out late last week and earlier this week. Anyway, the pedi told us that he could go back to daycare after being fever-free for 24 hours (which is also the daycare's policy). But she also said that it sometimes lasts a few days, and that often the fever spikes first thing in the morning, then mellows for the rest of the day.
Obviously, we kept him home today. Luckily MH was able to stay with him today, so I could go to work. This is a really difficult week for me to miss since next week is the last week of school and grades are due on Tuesday (so that report cards can go home with kids the last day next Friday). Therefore, I've GOT to finish up assessments this week in order to finish my grades by Tuesday. My 3rd-5th graders are all playing recorder currently, and their final test is a performance test in which they need to play a short song for me for a grade. This is not something a sub can do. Some of classes I will see for the last time tomorrow until after next Tuesday (when grades must be done). They must be tested tomorrow, there is no other way, or the test simply will not happen, and I'll have to figure grades some other way for those classes (possible, but difficult).
So......he had a 99.9 fever early this morning at 4:45am (a big improvement over the 102.7 yesterday). With a dose of Tylenol then, he went back to sleep, and the fever did not return all day. He's eating mostly normally today, just eating softer foods (no crackers and the like), since he has a slight sore throat. He's definitely a little fussier and sleepier than normal, but only slightly. He did play before bed and giggled when tickled, but he's not a smile-y as usual.
So......do I send him to daycare tomorrow? I reeeealllly do not want to be absent from work tomorrow, but my son definitely comes first, no questions asked. Technically, he fits the requirements to return (no fever for 24 hours) but he's not 100% yet, either. Obviously if he has any sort of fever in the morning, we're staying home, but if he doesn't.....what would you do in this situation? Would you send him to daycare and go to work? Or are you thinking, "you're crazy, your son is sick, you shouldn't even be thinking about going to work!" I keep going back and forth. I wanted to post this on the working mom's board, but I knew you guys would tell me the truth without flaming me. Right? :P
This discussion has been closed.
Re: WWYD?
*zips up flameproof suit*
If my kids have been sick but are on the mend - e.g., had a cold and are over the fever, eating fine, etc. but still have runny noses and possibly lingering coughs - I still send them to daycare (and usually sign a medication form saying they can have Tylenol if necessary).
If they're sick enough that I get a phonecall saying they have to come home again, then that's when I take the time off work. But that's rare - I think it's only happened once, and all the other times they've stayed happily at daycare even if they're not quite 100% better yet.
I totally get why some people may think this is awful, but the harsh reality is that I NEED to work, and me bringing home the bacon = being a good mama just as much as me staying home with the kids until they're 100% well again.
If he is running a fever again tomorrow morning, is there anyone else who could watch him? Could YH take the day off again? Or a babysitter? Parent? Friend who is a SAHM and wouldn't mind looking after him for the day?
Not awful at all, Lisa, it's kind of what I needed to hear.
I like what you said about being a good mama for you IS going to work. I agree. I work for him. I do get a certain amount of sick days, but I hate to use one if he ends up being fine tomorrow. I'm trying to save them for when he's really sick and/or my next maternity leave in another year or so.
Sadly, MH cannot take off tomorrow (as a doctor, it's nearly impossible for him to take off unless it's a true emergency...he's need to find someone to cover him, which no one ever wants to, and the clinic cannot open without a doctor on premises, which would not go down well with the other nurses and techs or the management). Luckily, today happened to be his day off anyway, but he must work tomorrow. Also sadly, we live hours away from our families (except my sister, who is also in medicine and has a big case tomorrow she can't miss), so that's out. Ironically, my ILs are flying in from CA tomorrow night. I briefly considered asking them to come tonight instead (which they would in a heartbeat, they're awesome that way), but I didn't have the heart to do that. I do have one SAHM friend, but if he has a fever, I'm not comfortable asking her to expose her twin girls to him, either.
If he has a fever, there's really no other way except for me to stay home.
I'm just torn about if he doesn't have a fever, but your words make be feel more confident in my decision (so far) to take him in, barring a change in behavior or temp.
Glad I could help! Kids are tougher than we give them credit for, I think...and yes, as much as he'd probably enjoy cuddling with his mama if he's not 100% better, he'd also enjoy getting to whoop it up at daycare (at least if he's anything like my little dudes, who are apparently the life of the party there lol!).
As you said, if his temp spikes or he gets really lethargic, then naturally you stay home. But barring that, I think it's fine for him to go somewhere - if he's clingy or wants an extra nap at daycare, they shouldn't have a problem accommodating that.
I don't remember what the exact number is, but I *think* that pedi's don't even consider 99.9 a fever... but I could be wrong.
but to answer your Q, if he doesn't have a fever then I'd just go to work. it seems like given the situation that would be best. if it was just any other time and you weren't in such a crunch then I'd maybe consider staying home but really I agree w/Lisa and think that if he's on the mend then he's ok to go to daycare. plus like you said, you want to save your sick days for when he is really sick and needs you!
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats
i don't have this yet... BUT i would prolly do what pp say...
and i hope he feels better!!!
hawaii 10.2008 plan ;P married bio ???
I've been in this situation several times and I've sent him to daycare. He's been fine and I've not gotten a call. I hope that helps:)
Hand, foot and mouth is going around here, too. A couple kids were sent home from Gymboree this week since they showed symptoms.
If taken rectally, I think a temp under 100.4 degrees is considered normal. For oral temps, it's about a degree less (99.4 or something). I didn't know that for a while and used to think LO had a low-grade fever when he actually didn't.
I'm sure you'll make the right decision for the situation tomorrow. I hope you're able to make it to work and get all your grades in!
I would (and have) sent him in as long as the fever has left (on it's own without pain/fever reducing meds) and then just hold my breath knowing I might get a call to come pick him up.
Like you, I need to worry about using sick time in the case of a bigger emergency. His only fever has been b/c of an ear infection though, which means he's not contagious anyways so I don't know if I would do anything different knowing he had a communicable virus...
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats