Families Don't Go To Doctor

[Country Kids]

What do you guys do that have families that don't go to the doctor? 90% of my families don't run to the doctor for every little cough, sneeze, etc. but will stay home with their child.

I have a a few that are out this week and are returning today. One diagnosed with bronchitis and then a few have been out with "colds". The cold children haven't been to the doctor.

I don't think parents should have to run to the doctor for everything but how do you know then if a child should come back if they don't go?

[littlemissmuffet]

If a child in my care has "cold" symtoms for more than 2 weeks then the parents are given a notice that states that their child will not be accepted back into care (no fee reimbursements either) until the child has seen a doctor - and may only return with a doctor's note that states a DIAGNOSES and TREATMENT PLAN.

[itlw8]

The Drs around here do not want to see them for colds and such. I think parents should be a pretty good judge if their child has something they need to see a dr for.And you will know by looking and listening to them if they look ready to participate.

[jessrlee]

I stay as far from antibiotics as possible. I don't require parents to go to the dr. If the child has symptoms they stay home

[Unregistered]

I completely understand! I've got a family that doesn't take their child in, EVEN for major things that I would take my kids in for. I send home and they can't return without a note. I say 10 days... as my own child this week was taken to the doc because of his cough. He has 2 ear infections with sinusitis.... he's had no fever, nor any signs of ear infections! I was just concerned of the wet cough and that it hadn't cleared up in 10 days.

[Willow]

Ha! I am so one of those parents

My kids have never been to the doctor for a cold or any related symptoms. My daughter had an ear infection once that required antibiotics but other than that neither of my kids have been on any prescription meds. Aside from their one annual visit for vaccines and a once over I don't really ever bring them in. I'm a fan of homeopathic remedies, patience and good old tlc (within reason of course). They ended up with the flu over winter break and even with temps of 104 lasting several days I called their doc and she said let it ride. No sense in bringing them in because everyone had it and there was nothing they could do as long as they were staying hydrated.

For my daycare kids if it's a persistent, debilitating or there is fear of it being contagious they stay home until they are back to a healthy state. Whether parents choose to bring their kiddo to a doctor though during that time is their choice, but they are going to be excluded until kiddo gets better or I get verification from a doc that they're ok to return regardless.

[youretooloud]

I can usually tell if it's a cold, or something that needs attention. Most of the parents here are pretty good about going in when it's something more, but tend to just watch the colds.

A few weeks ago, the kids all had a really bad cold, and some of the kids got an infection later on. Ear, sinus etc. So, only a few of those kids went in.

[Willow]

I stay as far from antibiotics as possible. I don't require parents to go to the dr. If the child has symptoms they stay home

[rmc20021]

I don't feel they should run to the doctor for every sniffle or cough either but I had a 2 yo who I swear had pneumonia and on his last day here I called mom to have him picked up he was huffing and breathing so fast, coughing non-stop.

Dad got here 5 minutes later (obvisously was not at work since he works 30 minutes away and they only live across our very small town).

He asked me if *I* thought he should go to the doctor. I told him if it was my kid I'd definitely take him...his reply "well, I'm just going to take him home". I felt so bad for that little guy he was obviously so sick, and had been having a bad cough for a couple weeks...but that day he was just horrible.

I could not believe he wasn't taking him to the doctor. I'm sure it was either pneumonia or RSV...

[littlemissmuffet]

I stay as far from antibiotics as possible. I don't require parents to go to the dr. If the child has symptoms they stay home

Where I live, it is winter/cold season for 6 months of the year... so I wouldn't be in business if I required kids to stay home for common cold symptoms... the trouble is common cold symptoms are often the beginning of much harsher, more contagious illnesses.

[Blackcat31]

Ha! I am so one of those parents

My kids have never been to the doctor for a cold or any related symptoms. My daughter had an ear infection once that required antibiotics but other than that neither of my kids have been on any prescription meds. Aside from their one annual visit for vaccines and a once over I don't really ever bring them in. I'm a fan of homeopathic remedies, patience and good old tlc (within reason of course). They ended up with the flu over winter break and even with temps of 104 lasting several days I called their doc and she said let it ride. No sense in bringing them in because everyone had it and there was nothing they could do as long as they were staying hydrated.

For my daycare kids if it's a persistent, debilitating or there is fear of it being contagious they stay home until they are back to a healthy state. Whether parents choose to bring their kiddo to a doctor though during that time is their choice, but they are going to be excluded until kiddo gets better or I get verification from a doc that they're ok to return regardless.

I actually appreciate the fact that not many of my daycare parents (or anyone for that matter) bring their child in for minor things. Keeps the clinics and healthcare facilities flowing smoothly and not overly congested with kids who have nothing more than common seasonal inflictions and illnesses.

Most of the stuff people come down with this time of the year does not require anything more than good rest, good food and a little time.

[kitykids3]

I don't require parents to take the kids to the doctor unless they want to bring them with something like a rash. Then I need something telling me what it is and that it's not contagious. Otherwise if they have symptoms of something more serious than a simple cold, they stay home.
Unfortunately that still doesn't always help keep things from spreading as some things are contagious before symptoms show up. You do what you can though, especially with sanitary precautions.

[Country Kids]

Our area has been hit so hard this year.

All the pharmacies were out of z packs

The wait at urgent care was upto 4 hours

There has been no symptoms and then wham they have something.

1 child was here all day playing hard, acting normal, nothing different out of the blue. Next day was at the clinic for 4-5 hours and then diagnosed with bronchitis. It had hit them through the night really bad.

A friend of mine came down with pneumonia out of the blue. Usually get it several time a year and this year they had none of the regular sympotoms and the friend/Dr. said if it wasn't for one thing that tipped the friend off they would have had no idea that they even had it.

So its not so much colds this year as respiratory issues but then it doesn't work up to it, its just bam you have it.

[Willow]

Our area has been hit so hard this year.

All the pharmacies were out of z packs

The wait at urgent care was upto 4 hours

There has been no symptoms and then wham they have something.

1 child was here all day playing hard, acting normal, nothing different out of the blue. Next day was at the clinic for 4-5 hours and then diagnosed with bronchitis. It had hit them through the night really bad.

A friend of mine came down with pneumonia out of the blue. Usually get it several time a year and this year they had none of the regular sympotoms and the friend/Dr. said if it wasn't for one thing that tipped the friend off they would have had no idea that they even had it.

So its not so much colds this year as respiratory issues but then it doesn't work up to it, its just bam you have it.

I've noticed the same things, this year has been so weird for illnesses.

I have one that went home healthy last Friday, but got nailed with something cold/flu like by Saturday afternoon. She went in Monday and her doc gave her meds. She's been out all week trying to recover. She was fever free yesterday and mom was planning on bringing her in today. I got a call 7am this morning stating they were instead on their way to the ER. She woke her up and started to get her ready and the poor thing started coughing so hard there was blood in her sputum??????

I've been waiting on pins and needles for an update, I'm just sick about it how fast all hit her. Watching everyone else like a hawk and of course am assuming the worst.......

[ABCDaycareMN]

Speaking for myself about my own children. I feel like the doctors office is our second home. With my sons medical issues over the last 2 years I do bring him in when he is not right. If he complains of pain... I do not bring him in for a cold unless it is bad enough. Last time he was put on a neb.

My daughter also has been to the doctor a lot. She has had numerous ear infections since she was born but they do not want to do tubes yet... I can tell when she has one and its usually after a little cold.

I guess I would just monitor the children and if you or the parents feel something is wrong then suggest they go in and provide you with a doctors note.