What do you do if you invite people over for a kid play date and the kid is clearly very sick? Do let the kid stay and get your kid sick, do you politely send them home or something else?
Thanks Mamas! I didn't realize when I posted this that several other similar questions have already been posted. Looks like this is a popular question. It's good to know many of you feel the same way and do recommend saying something. We are by no means afraid of colds, but the child was clearly also uncomfortable and not acting as he/she normally does. I liked what one mom said about the added lethargy or crankiness. This is key besides an obvious fever and shows that the cold has affected the child enough that he/she should be home. We have also had many gatherings with children who had runny noses or coughs and feel fine, but one time the sick child was a little overboard and we were surprised by that. We got some good sample lines to try for next time... if we really feel it's necessary. Thanks again!
I would tell the parent if they are clearly sick that we should reschedule for another day. If they don't like it, then they aren't looking out for the best interest of their child or mine. Most people that we have playdates with communicate with eachother on illness or allergies etc.
M
MN:
If the child has a fever - I would ask them to leave...if the child is visibly sick - not just coughing and sneezing (could be allergies) but is lethargic and cranky...yeah - I would say something like "wow - it looks like Johnny is not feeling well...should he go home and nap?"
There are plenty of ways to handle it tactfully...I don't know you relationship with this person...
However, there are people that have "chicken pox parties" so - who knows!! They may think they are doing you a favor to help you get your kid's immune system strong!!
Well, I have the standing rule that we always tell the other parent when someone in house is sick, even if it is dad. I personally don't care but I have some friends that have a child with a compromised immune system so it is kinda group policy to tell all on illnesses, even down to diaper rashes.
I would keep them but be pissed if it was not discussed before the play date.
Politely send them home. And.....at a later time mention that you'd appreciate a phone call if their kid is ill before coming over.
What kind of sick? If you want your kids to never be around anyone with a cold, it is going to be a very lonely winter ;-)
My rules are, no fever for 24 hours, 48 since onset of cold, and we are good to go.
Politely send him home if they are clearly sick. They should be home in bed getting better.
I'm not afraid of germs. It does depend on your child's immune system. If it is a delicate one and your kid will become sick from exposure just say so.
My children were germ resistant. I put a great deal of time and effort into preparing organic food which kept them healthy.
If your child's immune system isn't good don't let protocol or politeness ruin her health. A sick child should not be brought to your house for a play date nor should you let your child stay at the home of a child who is obviously sick.
"Oh my! You didn't mention that Sparkleigh Pryncess was sick today! I wish you had called to let me know so that we could reschedule. We just got over [heinous illness] here and would hate to get sick again so soon. I hate to seem like an over-protective mom but I'm going to have to reschedule. Yes, I know, you came all this way, but when we get sick here we get hit really hard. When everyone is feeling better we'd be happy to have another play date."
Yes, I've been That Mom.
If its just a runny nose or a light cough, I would let them stay. If they have fever, are coughing constantly, sneezing constantly, I would send them home.
We attended a family birthday party for a 1 yr old once where my SIL called to say that my nephew was throwing up so they didn't know if they were coming. They took him to the dr. the dr. said it wasn't the flu. BIL called back to say they were coming. I asked them not to come because everyone else was already there, including a bunch of kids and the 1yr old whose party it was. MIL was just so upset that the nephew would have to miss the party and lets let him come anyway. I said, my kids are already here having a good time, but if you let him come I'm taking my kids home. Oh but he'll be so sad that he missed the party, I say he's coming, and he did, and as soon as he walked in the door, me and my two kids walked out.
3 kids from that party ended up getting sick 2 days later. Including the daughter of the host.
