Indoor playground and sick?

sohappy14

Today I decided to go to an indoor play place. It was empty when I got there first thing. Then a few kids/toddler babies came in. One of the kids was sneezing as the mom was wiping nose... And the other kid different family was sneezing , runny nose and hacking scary sounding cough. Mom wiping their nose . Not once did they hand sanitize even though the Sanitizer was everywhere for easy access. Anyway I was so annoyed. They were obviously sick and I was annoyed since it was first time going to a place like that and my lo was having fun. I ended up leaving after a little bc I was uncomfortable since my lo was hanging near them. Is this how these places are? I just think it's so inconsiderate to bring a runny nose coughing sneezing child to a place where kids are playing together! Stay home or go somewhere else. Am I being nuts? Bc it really bothered me and especially not wiping hands after child was touching their nose?! Hello!?

mommy0411

We have been avoiding indoor play areas for this very reason. DS and I both have our flu shots but I can't afford for either of us to get really sick just because another parent didn't keep a sick child home. It definitely bothers me too. 

Ms5586

mommy0411:

We have been avoiding indoor play areas for this very reason. DS and I both have our flu shots but I can't afford for either of us to get really sick just because another parent didn't keep a sick child home. It definitely bothers me too. 

Us too.  We have a great bounce house near us that J absolutely loves, but we're not going anywhere near it for a while.  It's not exactly easy to sanitize those huge things, and I don't want him (or me) to get sick. 

Instead, I've been trying to find new and fun things at home (usually on Pinterest).  Tactile balloons is next on my list.  Also, tub painting, fake snow, etc.  Just a fun, new activity that will keep him engaged and not be so bored.

LatteLady5

We don't have one anywhere near here but there is one about an hour away where I go shopping. I have also avoided it for the same reason. Last time I went there were a handful of other kids all belonging to these 3 moms that were sitting at a table chatting. Two of the kids were in footie pajamas. Both of these kids were at least 2 if not closer to 3. The moms were absolutely oblivious to anything going on. One kid was hacking all over a piece of the equipment...blek!

My grandma was with me and she went to rent one of those kid cart deals because we realized my stroller tire was flat and I didn't have a carrier with me and our hands were full! She came back and one of the kids ran over to the cart and hopped in and pretended to drive it. I had just sanitized the whole thing too. Ugh. I tried asking him to get out but he just ignored me. I had to go over and ask the moms to please remove her kid from my cart. He was the one in footie pj's hacking all over. Finally she came over strutting her awesome pajama bottoms as well and removed the kid. I haven't been back since. 

SallyAnneS

LalaMama81:

I don't know. Kids can have runny noses for most of the winter. Colds last 2 weeks. Do you really not go anywhere in that time? I definitely wouldn't w/in the first few days - but by day 8, maybe. Too many factors. 

All of this.  Toddlers can have runny noses for months from teething and not be sick at all.  Also my ds and I both get runny noses when comingin from the cold even when we arent sick.  But if they were hacking ip a lung then they should have stayed home i think.  Right now ds and I are both sick with colds so we are stuck at home.  When his snot turns clear again we will go back out.  But there is only so long I can contain him in the house before we both go crazy.

sohappy14

I just know that I would not go to a play place with a child who was coughing, sneezing and had runny nose. That puts parents like me on edge; I just think its best to go places other than where kids will be in direct contact. People just annoy me!

MisN

I agree with some of the PPs, DD has had a runny nose pretty much since September.   She still need to go out!  Now if she was actualy sick then I would keep her at home...

TiffanyBerry

I would like to suggest that there is a point after which you're not necessarily contagious, but you still have some phleghmy symptoms (and a cough is one of them).  It takes a while, for some people in particular, to clear out all the inflammation produced in the sinuses.

Don't get me wrong, I do think that there's a lot of snotty noses in places like this during the winter, and it gets annoying.  But it's really hard to judge too harshly when you don't know the full story.  I'm with you on walking out if you think it's too much (and maybe in the case you were in it was, I wasn't there so can't speak to this particular situation).

I did learn, however, that if I never took my daughter anywhere when she was still sniffly, we'd be stuck inside for months, and she wouldn't get any reasonable germ exposure.  Balance, you know?

sohappy14

I agree with not staying inside entire time, but when you're coughing and sneezing with mom wiping your nose... Please stay home and please use hand sanitizer! It's everywhere. I guess I'm more sensitive bc my lo has major breathing issues when sick and the smallest if colds turns into a major problem for weeks!

AmandaP678

MisN:

I agree with some of the PPs, DD has had a runny nose pretty much since September.   She still need to go out!  Now if she was actualy sick then I would keep her at home...

This exactly.  My oldest has a reflux cough and allergies. I can't keep him home all the time.

sohappy14

I agree about not keeping a coughing child home all the time, but you're missing the point! The sneezing, runny nose and cough all in one annoyed me! I don't get upset if someone coughs in general. I assume the parents are smart enough to keep home if contagious, but all symptoms pointed to sick!

march2008

I'm apparently in the minority, but I do keep DD away from indoor playgrounds for at least a week after she's been ill. Also, when she's done playing somewhere, I immediately take her into the bathroom to wash her hands before we get into the car to leave. Kids are so germy!

TiffanyBerry

sohappy14:

I agree about not keeping a coughing child home all the time, but you're missing the point! The sneezing, runny nose and cough all in one annoyed me! I don't get upset if someone coughs in general. I assume the parents are smart enough to keep home if contagious, but all symptoms pointed to sick!

But you missed all of us who noted that kids can have runny noses for weeks, and for reasons other than actively being sick.  Sneezes happen (so hearing one means nothing about a kid being sick), and coughs and runny noses go together (they have the same cause - something that can aggravate sneezing as well), so seeing them all at once only makes sense.

lana22

i was in the OP camp for awhile, esp when my LO was younger but he's almost 14 months and i get way less stressed about it these days. no, i don't like to see a clearly sick kid coughing all over toys and sticking things in his mouth, but i try to wipe down my son's hands and keep him away from kids who seem sick to me. that said, it's good for him to be around germs, he's going to get a runny nose/cold a bunch during the winter anyway, so i don't stress as much now.

sohappy14

Ok . Well next time I go out, I'll have to tell
Myself they're teething! Bc it makes me crazy when it "seems" like they're sick! Especially in cold/flu season. And I use wipes the alcohol ones. And sanitize when I need to. Alcohol kills germs!! It s the best!! And Id rather dry his hands out then get sick. It's in every hospital I go to and in school... I'm a teacher and we all swear by it: it helps: but we wash hands mostly! But, glad you font go out at least to kid places when your child's sick: most moms do appreciate that , bc no one likes a sick kid: