Keeping kids at home during flu season

jimmyswife220 · February 2013

So we spent our Valentines day in the hospital with DD, who was admitted for dehydration. It has been a sort of rough winter for her, it seems like she has consistently had a cold every month or so since September, nothing that she doesnt bounce back from within a week or so, but, shes been sick alot. Then this week she got a stomach bug and wound up in the hospital after a day of vomiting everything she drank. And my mother and brother are all over me for this, blaming me because we have about 4 playdates a week, friends houses, playareas, library class, and she also goes to the store with me two or three times a week. They seem to think I should keep her home during flu season, and are really upset with me. I'm trying to see their side of this, but I am having some difficulty. My thought is she is 2 years old and needs to get out and play and learn, shes not Rapunzel, I dont want to keep her locked up. I'm a nurse so I'm very diligent about handwashing and she gets a bath every night, and I'm not taking her to the dump to play or parks with needles laying around, but I just wondered if anyone steers clear of others during cold and flu season. I asked the pediatrician at the hospital and he wouldn't give me a straight answer, saying it was a family decision. Obviously my main priority is DD's health, but it sort of seems extreme to me to keep her in the house for 4 months.

Baby0322 · February 2013

jimmyswife220:
So we spent our Valentines day in the hospital with DD, who was admitted for dehydration. It has been a sort of rough winter for her, it seems like she has consistently had a cold every month or so since September, nothing that she doesnt bounce back from within a week or so, but, shes been sick alot. Then this week she got a stomach bug and wound up in the hospital after a day of vomiting everything she drank. And my mother and brother are all over me for this, blaming me because we have about 4 playdates a week, friends houses, playareas, library class, and she also goes to the store with me two or three times a week. They seem to think I should keep her home during flu season, and are really upset with me. I'm trying to see their side of this, but I am having some difficulty. My thought is she is 2 years old and needs to get out and play and learn, shes not Rapunzel, I dont want to keep her locked up. I'm a nurse so I'm very diligent about handwashing and she gets a bath every night, and I'm not taking her to the dump to play or parks with needles laying around, but I just wondered if anyone steers clear of others during cold and flu season. I asked the pediatrician at the hospital and he wouldn't give me a straight answer, saying it was a family decision. Obviously my main priority is DD's health, but it sort of seems extreme to me to keep her in the house for 4 months.

I'msirry but they ned to mind their own business. That's crazy to me that they're upset with you.

Baby0322 · February 2013

Typing from phone. Ugh. I just think its insane to keep kids locked up for the winter. We've been stuck inside this winter but it's only because I have twins and a toddler and I'm still getting used to taking them out alone. We've been inside and still managed to get sick 4 times since November. It really didn't make a difference for us. I also took DD to a childrens museum and a playdate a couple weeks ago and she didn't get sick. I think they're being dramatic and you should tell them not to worry about what you're doing.

honeybee111 · February 2013

Well, I live in a mild climate, but even if I lived in Alaska, I don't think it's realistic to keep kids home for 4 months. DD started preschool last month, and she's had the flu, a stomach virus, a cold, and she's currently in the middle of another cold that I'm hoping doesn't turn into an ear infection. I think it's just part of growing up and being around people. And if you did keep your kid home, what would that accomplish next winter if she goes out? Or what's going to happen when she starts school? She's going to get sick at some point.

TMDMJAOCT07 · February 2013

First, it is a decision that you and your family (living in your house) need to make, and it needs to be something that you guys agree on. After that if extended family feels the need to give their suggestions, then take it just as that, their suggestions.

That being said - DH ended up with the flu Dec 29th, we were in the ER over night because he had been loosing stuff out of both ends for 6+ hours and was in excruciating pain, so I made the call at 1am to bring him into the ER because I didn't see an end in sight. After that, I disinfected everything I possibly could, he had to stay in our room until he felt better for a good amount time and even then, I still wouldn't let him close to DD, but after how sick he was, I couldn't even being to consider taking any chances.

However, DD and I still go on play dates, we play at the library, she takes a few classes at the park district, and she comes shopping with me. We wash hands like crazy, I change her clothes when we get home, to keep the germ spread at a minimum, etc. All that said and done, she still ended up with a pretty bad cold that lasted 2 weeks.

But, they do need exposure to things, that's how they build their immune system. I cannot live inside the walls of my house for weeks/months on end, I would go crazy. I get stir crazy if we are in the house for more then 2-3 days. We have cut down on eating out (we're pretty sure dh got the flu from a restaurant) because I don't want to risk somebody spreading their germs on our food.

smerka · February 2013

I've avoided places that I know are germ distribution centers like the mall play area, the children's museum, etc. I still go to playgroup, but the other moms will not come if their kids are sick. If your kid has to be hospitalized, you may want to keep her in some of the time.

ASmallWonder · February 2013

Well for starters, she hasn't had the flu so their argument doesn't make sense. She has colds and a stomach bug. Sure, I wouldn't go chilling in the ER for giggles while it's filled with sick people but people have to live. Kids in daycare get exposed to everything and if anyone in your house ever leaves or anyone ever comes to visit, she's still going to be exposed.

Court0026 · February 2013

I mean, of course they are concerned, but it is none of their business and not a reasonable thing for them to focus on! I have considered keeping my DS home, but mostly just the couple of weeks before Christmas this year because he has been REALLY sick 3 Christmases in a row. He has asthma and is prone to illness. I didn't keep him home this year and it worked out. He has been much healthier this year. I am hoping his immunity is building.

HappyMommy28 · February 2013

We avoid areas that are "high germ" places like malls or play areas that don't get cleaned often. We also do go out less but part of that is because I know that people don't respect other peoples kids and they will take their sick kids anywhere. We did sign up for a class at the local skating rink and I think he likes that though

stever · February 2013

Um, no. I'm super neurotic and germophobic, but hiding in the house all winter seems crazy.

WestCoastMommy · February 2013

It seems like your DD needs an immunity boost. I don't do FLU shots for my kids but I put them on Elderberry syrup and they haven't had a bad cold all winter! This is the first winter that I tried the syrup and it is amazing. The kids and I take it every morning along with probiotics. I get the probiotics from Target and it comes in powder form and you can just add it to their juice. As far as the Elderberry syrup you can buy that at any health food store or make it yourself at home. From now on my family will be on Elderberry ever winter. If anything your DD will have built up one heck of an immune system this winter

And to answer your question We go about business as usual. Every weekend we are out and about and DD goes to a play group on Wednesday's, DS to preschool on Mon/wed/fri's. We don't avoid outings in fear of getting sick.

https://wellnessmama.com/5913/herb-profile-elderberries/

ktb31 · February 2013

I am also a nurse and have had this same dilemma. Both of my DS's have had colds and stomach viruses over the past month and a half. The stomach bug going around is awful, it's just never-ending. I would say I'm normally more lax regarding keeping my kids away from certain places but this year I don't think we had a playdate or went to one of those play places for a month. I missed so much work staying home with them I just couldn't risk it. I only took them to places we had to go and just had to find things to do at home. We did get a little stir crazy but this year I just couldn't risk it. Now that they have been better for a couple weeks we are starting to get together with a couple friends here and there. I'm still wary about the play places this year. That being said, I don't think you should feel guilty for taking your DD out and about.

laurakaz13 · February 2013

WestCoastMommy:
It seems like your DD needs an immunity boost. I don't do FLU shots for my kids but I put them on Elderberry syrup and they haven't had a bad cold all winter! This is the first winter that I tried the syrup and it is amazing. The kids and I take it every morning along with probiotics. I get the probiotics from Target and it comes in powder form and you can just add it to their juice. As far as the Elderberry syrup you can buy that at any health food store or make it yourself at home. From now on my family will be on Elderberry ever winter. If anything your DD will have built up one heck of an immune system this winter

And to answer your question We go about business as usual. Every weekend we are out and about and DD goes to a play group on Wednesday's, DS to preschool on Mon/wed/fri's. We don't avoid outings in fear of getting sick.

https://wellnessmama.com/5913/herb-profile-elderberries/

No. No. No. Get your kid the flu shot FFS. And do not stay in all winter. How is that even realistic at all? Your child had colds and stomach virus. Stomach virus is NOT the flu, but you should protect LO against it at all costs anyway.

Soap1 · February 2013

laurakaz13:
WestCoastMommy:
It seems like your DD needs an immunity boost. I don't do FLU shots for my kids but I put them on Elderberry syrup and they haven't had a bad cold all winter! This is the first winter that I tried the syrup and it is amazing. The kids and I take it every morning along with probiotics. I get the probiotics from Target and it comes in powder form and you can just add it to their juice. As far as the Elderberry syrup you can buy that at any health food store or make it yourself at home. From now on my family will be on Elderberry ever winter. If anything your DD will have built up one heck of an immune system this winter

And to answer your question We go about business as usual. Every weekend we are out and about and DD goes to a play group on Wednesday's, DS to preschool on Mon/wed/fri's. We don't avoid outings in fear of getting sick.

https://wellnessmama.com/5913/herb-profile-elderberries/
No. No. No. Get your kid the flu shot FFS. And do not stay in all winter. How is that even realistic at all? Your child had colds and stomach virus. Stomach virus is NOT the flu, but you should protect LO against it at all costs anyway.

I agree with every single thing you said. Get a flu shot, wash hands, go about your normal life.

And I can't tell you how annoyed I get at the countless people who think the flu is a stomach virus. :P

Emilia0101 · February 2013

When my DD was 5.5 months old she got H1N1. She was to young for the flu shot and I blamed myself to the point of it being very unhealthy. We stayed in for months because I was worried about her getting sick again. Personally, it was horrible for her socially and it was unhealthy for me being so isolated. Bottom line don't do it. You can't protect your child from every germ in the world and you will kill yourself trying. Live life and know you can't personally protect your children from everything.

MrsDe2008 · February 2013

I feel your pain. My DD just had a rough weekend with a fever and all and my family is blaming the fact that I just signed her up for her 1st ever play class. It's twice a week and she just went for her 1st class last week. My mom says I should stop taking her until the Spring, but what are you gonna do? Keep your kids in a bubble? DD is an only child and we just moved out of our home state, so we really don't know anyone in the area and DD needs some child interaction...she is way too clingy to me (I SAH). DH and I decide she will continue to go and I will make sure her hands are sanitized more often.

AmericanInOz · February 2013

Your family needs to mind their own business
An immune system is a good thing, if your kids don't get sick now they will when they go to school
I'd lose my mind if we stayed away from everyone for 4 months !!! That's totally unrealistic

BelhurstBride · February 2013

I'm the one who has been battling more bugs than not this year and as a result we've been home more. It sucks. We've both been miserable. It's completely not rationale to expect a family to stay home all winter and any one who thinks it's remotely possible clearly doesn't have young children.

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