Another "Sick Kid" Question

[MamaJ]

So I have 1 full time dcg, and a few before/after school. I don't intend to take on more full-timers (and then maybe just 1), until after my baby is born in January.

So DCG was home sick yesterday (after showing cold symptom signs earlier in the week). mom brings her today and I ask how she is feeling, which is a dumb question to ask since she always plucks her out of bed and comes straight here...so no interraction in the morning. mom says "well my mom is going to try to get off work this afternoon so she can come pick her up as she's not feeling totally better yet "....which in my mind reads "I know she's sick and shouldn't be here, but I'm bringing her anyway".

so, she's here this morning with my daughter and is clearly still sick. can't breathe through her nose, yet it's constantly runny. when she sneezes it's projectile snot...like a LOT of it. it's not yellow or green, but she's coughing, congested and her eyes are glassy/watery. I cancelled plans to go out for a walk b/c I just didn't feel right taking her out as it was a little chilly. So I call mom and tell her if grandma can't get off work, then she will have to come get her.

Grandma comes, apologizes said they knew she was sick, but mom only has 1 sick day left at work and needs it for court. I'm glad I ended up telling mom she had to go home...so maybe they won't try it again without at least calling in the morning and asking me...but I feel bad. I feel like I should be willing to keep her no matter what since mom is young, works hard, etc....and I don't want to lose her to another provider who watches sick kids (if there are any?).

yet, I'm pregnant, have two kids myself and 3 after-school kids who come. it's not fair to the rest of us.

tell me I shouldn't feel guilty, and that mom's 1 remaining sick day shouldn't be of any concern when it comes to tomorrow, or any other days this winter that dcg is sick? especially after I have a newborn in the house?

[Sprouts]

I would be pisssssed especially since grandma said they knew she was sick, why didnt grandma just watch her in the first place???? If you have a contract just make a copy and add somewhere that there are babies and pregnant women and its not fair for everyone else, sometimes people are just too self centered and don't worry about others

[JennyBear]

Oh I would be pissed too! How disrespectful!! The mom's 1 sick day left has nothing to do with you- that's her own problem so don't you feel bad one bit about that! Next time she tries to pull that, I would send the child home with her-she needs to be prepared and have backup (Grandma???)
Ahh..some people! :confused:

[Blackcat31]

You can easily solve this using a neat trick I learned from another member here. Basically it goes like this:

If a child is sick...keep them home for the day.

If you send them to daycare and I have to send them home due to illness, they are automatically excluded from care for 2 days.

Makes parents step up and make good use of that one day home rather than getting stuck with two days home.

[MamaJ]

thanks for the validation that it's OK to reinforce policies.

Grandma took dcg to med center tonight and she has a double ear infection, so I don't feel so bad now sending her home.

still ticked they brought her to begin with. I hope they can come up with a good backup plan for future illness.

I did tell her she can't come tomorrow!