Hi Ladies,
2nd tri but almost 3rd tri girl and I thought I'd ask the experts a question.
I will either get 6 or 8 weeks off. I'm pushing for 8 but I will be happy if they only let me off for the standard 6. I've had several friends tell me their LO got sick their first week of daycare simply becuase they are exposed to all kinds of new germs, people and babies. This makes sense to me. We are sending him to a larger center type place, if that makes a difference.
How many of your LO's got sick their first week?
Do you think it's a good idea for me to put him in for a few days or part time (if I get 8 weeks) since I'm assuming he'll get sick? That way I will still be off to take care of him and not have to take off work.
Or am I completely off base thinking that he'll stay semi healthy till winter sniffles start?
Re: LO sick when first going to daycare?
The 6-8 will be determined by how you give birth, right?
My kids got sick within the first month, but not the first week.....basically have your backup plan(s) in place no matter what as you will need them at some point.
We have survived almost a whole month with no sickness that would keep our LO home. However, I was told yesterday that there was a confirmed case of strep throat and walking pneumonia in the adjoining older infant room. Fun times!!
You may just have to play it by ear. I'm lucky in that my employer has told me if LO can't go to daycare, I can take one of my personal days, or I can bring LO to the office (it's a small business).
HTH!
I work for a smaller company and when speaking to my boss he knew the standard for no complication delivery was 6. I told him I really wanted 8 if it was possible knowing I wouldn't be paid except for what the company was already paying me.
He said he would talk to his boss and try and work something out. He says it's only 2 weeks and if it makes me happier and feel better then he'll try and work it out.
I really like my boss.
You are lucky to have that boss!!
To answer your question, DD was sick a LOT that first year. I don't think 2 weeks or part time will make much of a difference in the amount of illness. Just be confident in your provider's cleaning policy. Lots of hand sanitizer for everyone (teachers, parents, kids), cleaning of surfaces multiple times a day, adhere to a strict sick policy (no sick kids in class, even if it's hard on parents), etc.
She's rarely sick now and I like to think it's because she was so sick at the beginning. I see my SAH friend's kids going through very sick kindergarten years like us WM's first years. These kids are going to be sick sometime!
met DH 1995 ~ married DH 2006 ~ completed our family 2008
Life is good!
DD -- 5YO
DS -- 3YO
We were lucky and DD didn't get sick much. She started DC at 14 weeks and was great until recurrent ear infections started around 9mo old. Depending on your DC's policy you won't necessarily have to stay home if LO is sick. At ours if she has a fever or something contagious then we need to keep her home, but something like an ear infection she can still attend.