Really?? Sickness Vent....

[Daycaremomof2]

I agree- but the parents are refusing to recognize the yellow snot as being problematic.

[bice99]

I am not sure if you are stating your own policies state that green/yellow snot is not ok, but I wanted to clear up the myth that green or yellow discharge means infection or a need for antibiotics because it doesn't.

http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/chi...nus-infections

I totally understand that green snot does not mean antibiotics, but it does mean that the body is fighting something and it's nasty to have spread all over the daycare so other kids get sick. I have a sentence about the age of the child being taken into account. A kid who is old enough to cover well and ask for a tissue is different than a crawling baby with a horribly runny nose as far as spreading illness.

[Blackcat31]

I totally understand that green snot does not mean antibiotics, but it does mean that the body is fighting something and it's nasty to have spread all over the daycare so other kids get sick. I have a sentence about the age of the child being taken into account. A kid who is old enough to cover well and ask for a tissue is different than a crawling baby with a horribly runny nose as far as spreading illness.

Oh, I completely agree....just wasn't sure what you meant. I also have a spot in my illness policy that states the exclusion rule takes into consideration the ability of the child to self-care when experiencing a common cold and all it's loveliness.

[bice99]

Oh, I completely agree....just wasn't sure what you meant. I also have a spot in my illness policy that states the exclusion rule takes into consideration the ability of the child to self-care when experiencing a common cold and all it's loveliness.

Perfect! And I love how we all try to help each other learn new things and get rid of common misconceptions.

[Daycaremomof2]

I am going to have to amend my policies (again) to add that. The sick kid I have now is a crawler and everything goes into the mouth, therefore EVERYONE comes into contact with the illness. My oldest and other DCB are both 3.5, and they were both taught to cough and sneeze into the inside of their elbows, and wash hands frequently.

I think my problem is the parent's blatent disregard for their own child or anyone else's children for that matter. When I was out in the professional world, I would do anything to make sure that my children were held and comforted then they were sick. Both of these parents work for a company where they would definitely be allowed to take a day off. Geeze- and they can't wait to have another child (so they can drop that kid off 11 hours a day at my house too). Sorry- venting.

[wdmmom]

That child is too sick to be in daycare.

My policy clearly states that persistent runny nose and anything other than clear is grounds for exclusion. I also have it that if they can't participate in regular daily routine, they shouldn't come.

This child needs to be sent home with these policies highlighted.

[bice99]

That child is too sick to be in daycare.

My policy clearly states that persistent runny nose and anything other than clear is grounds for exclusion. I also have it that if they can't participate in regular daily routine, they shouldn't come.

This child needs to be sent home with these policies highlighted.

Highlighting that is a good idea

[bice99]

If your child is too tired/ill/grumpy to participate in our normal routine (including outdoor play/walks), needs medicine to function, needs constant attention or cries for an extended time, he/she needs to be home with you. This is best for your child and the other children in care. A child needs Mommy or Daddy when he/she doesn’t feel well.

I will determine if a child may attend Shamrock Childcare. There may be times when a doctor has written a note and the child still will not be admitted to ensure the well being of the rest of the children. Younger children cannot cover their cough/sneeze and often “mouth” everything. They need to be home rather than sharing their germs with everyone. Please do not bring a sick child. You will be asked to take your child home upon arrival

[Sunchimes]

When I was doing my handbook, I called my GP and asked him his stance on green/yellow snot. He said that green/yellow isn't necessarily an indication of an infection--it just means it's "been in there awhile".

[Unregistered]

I will determine if a child may attend Shamrock Childcare. There may be times when a doctor has written a note and the child still will not be admitted to ensure the well being of the rest of the children. Younger children cannot cover their cough/sneeze and often “mouth” everything. They need to be home rather than sharing their germs with everyone. Please do not bring a sick child. You will be asked to take your child home upon arrival

I like this - especially the part about being asked to take your child home upon arrival.

I currently have in my contract that any excessive mucus is grounds to be sent home and it's my decision to determine how much is too much. I actually re-worded my sick policy specifically for this DCB, since he NEVER has a green/yellow runny nose, it is always clear and always ALOT! His eyes also water and he tends to put his fingers in his mouth a fair amount even though he's two! Because he has sooo much coming out almost every time he's ill, and never covers his mouth, it flies everywhere when he sneezes and I can't keep his nose wiped enough to stop it from happening!

Anyway, for those who wanted the update: I called DCM and asked that DGB be picked up since he was clearly too ill to participate. She hesitated and told me she was very busy at work, but would call DCB's Grandma and call me back. Few minutes pass, she calls back saying that DCB's Grandma will pick-up, but it'll be in an hour...is that ok? What can I say? I've asked he be picked up, she's only 20 minutes away, but it's not like she said no one was coming!? I don't know...the whole thing bothers me. I just don't understand how a Mother can wake her ill child and drop him off the way she did - but it's done, DCB was picked up and I'm hoping at the very least DCM realizes that I will not keep him here if he is ill (I had done this last winter 1x).

Thanks for the tips and allowing me to vent! I know we all go through this kind of thing, so it helps to read what others have done...just wish I could have the same guts to do what some of your said you would have done...send him home on arrival! I'm hoping by putting that in my contract I can enforce it!

[bice99]

I like this - especially the part about being asked to take your child home upon arrival.

I currently have in my contract that any excessive mucus is grounds to be sent home and it's my decision to determine how much is too much. I actually re-worded my sick policy specifically for this DCB, since he NEVER has a green/yellow runny nose, it is always clear and always ALOT! His eyes also water and he tends to put his fingers in his mouth a fair amount even though he's two! Because he has sooo much coming out almost every time he's ill, and never covers his mouth, it flies everywhere when he sneezes and I can't keep his nose wiped enough to stop it from happening!

Anyway, for those who wanted the update: I called DCM and asked that DGB be picked up since he was clearly too ill to participate. She hesitated and told me she was very busy at work, but would call DCB's Grandma and call me back. Few minutes pass, she calls back saying that DCB's Grandma will pick-up, but it'll be in an hour...is that ok? What can I say? I've asked he be picked up, she's only 20 minutes away, but it's not like she said no one was coming!? I don't know...the whole thing bothers me. I just don't understand how a Mother can wake her ill child and drop him off the way she did - but it's done, DCB was picked up and I'm hoping at the very least DCM realizes that I will not keep him here if he is ill (I had done this last winter 1x).

Thanks for the tips and allowing me to vent! I know we all go through this kind of thing, so it helps to read what others have done...just wish I could have the same guts to do what some of your said you would have done...send him home on arrival! I'm hoping by putting that in my contract I can enforce it!

My families all work nearby, so my handbook states that you have 30 minutes to pick up your child or $1 per minute late fees will apply. I actually had a DCM have to pay an extra $60 in November!

[saved4always]

I am in the same boat! Tuesday, DCM dropped off her son and said he had "a little cough." Of course, throughout the day, he was coughing and sneezing, he wasnt eating much, sleeping a ton, and his nose was very runny. He was warm 1 hr before pickup but my daughter did something with my thermometer so I didn't get his temp taken. That night, I told DCM that he was sick, advised of the symptoms, and that was it.

The next day, DCM comes in and says she took his temp and he didnt have a fever, and his nose was clear, he just has "a little cold." He was happy at pick up, no runny nose, and seemed to be ok. Now I wonder if they medicated him- how do you prove something like that? Throughout the day, the same symptoms appeared. At pickup, literally as they came through the door, his nose gushed a yellow mucusy color, and I was so glad the parents got to see it. Surely, they would keep their sick child home the next day.

Nope- enter today. DCM and DCD drop him off, and he clearly is trying to breathe through his mouth bc his nose is stuffed, but this time they did not mention anything and handed him over and left. This poor child is clearly struggling to breathe. I put him to bed as soon as he was done with breakfast (his parents said he goes to bed at 10pm so he will sleep through the night- he is up at 5am). He slept for 3 hours before I went in and had to get him up for a bottle. I sectioned off the play room and let him play by himself while we played on the other side of the room (sad- but I have other kids to worry about, including my own). All day today he is crying and whining and I feel bad for him but what can I do? I tried to console him but nothing works except to put him to bed. The parents dont see the slime coming out of his nose, and we are at rough ends right now anyway for other matters (they were not respecting their contracted time and I had to confront them and they were upset). Technically, I will accept kids with minor colds, but clearly this kid is sick- his symptoms are on the fine line of the guidelines, and the parents I know will be upset and term if I call them to get him. I am in the process of looking for another child right now and when I get one I dont care what they do but I need the money now.

Ugh- these are the same parents who brought rotovirus into my house the first week they started, never acknowledged it, and just kept wondering why their child who usually has such solid BM's kept leaking out of the diaper. I a new and didnt know how to recognize the symptoms, etc- the things we learn as we go. The rotovirus infected everyone in the house, all of the other kids, and my husband and I, and gave my 1 year old diaper rash so bad that she bled, and to this day, 2 months later, if she has a poop at naptime she instantly gets a rash because her skin has not healed yet. Previously she NEVER had 1 incident of rash ever before this kid.

Also, these people were referred to me by my best friend, which makes it a sticky situation bc I will have to see them at future events, etc. Ugh Ugh Ugh!

What do I do? What would you do? On a side note, it is very hard to bond with a child who is sick and infecting your family- you just dont want to be near someone who is coughing, sneezing, and sliming mucous out of their nose.

How do I thicken my skin without compromising my $$?

I would have quit them at the rotovirus.

[Mom&Provider]

Sorry, I forgot to log in prior to posting the last time...thank you all for your advice and tips! I will surely be using a few of them!

[ebonyannette]

I think people are definately putting their jobs BEFORE their children now a days. I cant say I would NEVER leave my child when they were coming down with something. I have dropped my daughter off before when she had a runny nose. I have 3 small children if I called out every time there was a runny nose I would never work (well I don't anymore anyways). I think as parents sometimes we think maybe its just a little sniffle and its not a real reason to call in to work. Some people have jobs that fire them for calling out or being late and its a tough economy. I'm in a super small town now where there is a hiring freeze at Wal-Mart and there aren't too many more places hiring.

Im not justifying dirty diapers!! I'm just saying sometimes parents don't think its as bad as it is and keeping their job is important.

My husband is in the Army and his particular unit couldnt give a flying *** if his kids are sick. He got an article 15 (major punishment) for missing a recall formation because he was home with our 3 sick kids while I was 2 hours away in another town!( i went out because it was a holiday weekend that he was SUPPOSED to have off but since someone got in trouble they wanted them ALL back in to lecture them all)

Our sitter has kids, and she is the ONLY person we know who can watch our kids we dont have any family here. Now in our particular situation my husband wasnt gonna pack up our kids and take them over there to her, but Im sure there are plenty of people that would.

Some people are really stuck between a rock and a hard place. I know its not YOUR problem Im just saying, from another perspective that could be why.

[Blackcat31]

I think people are definately putting their jobs BEFORE their children now a days. I cant say I would NEVER leave my child when they were coming down with something. I have dropped my daughter off before when she had a runny nose. I have 3 small children if I called out every time there was a runny nose I would never work (well I don't anymore anyways). I think as parents sometimes we think maybe its just a little sniffle and its not a real reason to call in to work. Some people have jobs that fire them for calling out or being late and its a tough economy. I'm in a super small town now where there is a hiring freeze at Wal-Mart and there aren't too many more places hiring.

Im not justifying dirty diapers!! I'm just saying sometimes parents don't think its as bad as it is and keeping their job is important.
My husband is in the Army and his particular unit couldnt give a flying *** if his kids are sick. He got an article 15 (major punishment) for missing a recall formation because he was home with our 3 sick kids while I was 2 hours away in another town!( i went out because it was a holiday weekend that he was SUPPOSED to have off but since someone got in trouble they wanted them ALL back in to lecture them all)

Our sitter has kids, and she is the ONLY person we know who can watch our kids we dont have any family here. Now in our particular situation my husband wasnt gonna pack up our kids and take them over there to her, but Im sure there are plenty of people that would.

Some people are really stuck between a rock and a hard place. I know its not YOUR problem Im just saying, from another perspective that could be why.

You are right. Often a mild illness, slight discomfort or even a little cold is not a huge deal. However, it does become a big deal when you take someone who is just a bit under the weather and add them to a high-stressed, high activity, loud and busy atmosphere.

What were small symptoms before are now magnified and bothersome to a child who is suscpetible to over stimulation in the first place.

Parents enrolling their child in group care need to start thinking as a member of the group and not as a parent to one.