Didn't Intend to Send Very Sick Child?

[Mom2Two]

The mom who sent a child with a cold last Thursday, texted me today saying that she was keeping her kids home today, because dcb had a persistent cough. Then later she texted asking for permission to send dcb in the afternoon, saying that he was just "several times times per hour" now, and I asked if it was just the congestion at the tail end of a cold, and she said, yes.

Well I get that. I know that kids can have lingering congestion for quite a while after a cold, and I don't exclude for that. I don't mind wiping a kid's nose every 30 minutes or if they cough once in a while (just not constantly).

We were out buying a car, so I probably didn't compute the whole conversation very well, and I agreed that I would meet her at my home at 3:15 pm.

Well, dcb coughed constantly from the moment he was dropped off. It was more like several times per minute. I had to run a couple of errands with ODS, and DH watched the kids. When I got back, I realized how bad the coughing was and texted mom and dad (who does pick up) that dcb was too sick to have been here today. I talked to dad when he arrived, and dad's reply was, "Well that wasn't the intent."

??? How does one unintentionally send a child who can't stop coughing?

I replied that it wasn't just about intent, it was also about judgement. I explained that I require all families to keep sick kids home, and that other families don't want an illness like this, even if it's just a really bad cold.

I'm not happy with dad for being defensive about this.

I also feel crumby coz I've turned away two other children this week and I'm wondering if I shouldn't have turned them away.

[Ariana]

I don't think you should have agreed to take a sick child back to care but I think you relaize that now. It makes no sense why they kept him at home and then decided to bring him...who the heck does that? When he showed up coughing like crazy it makes me think they needed care so they could run an errand or something....she obviously lied to you.

I would be pretty ticked but at the same time feel mostly angry at myself. I would mark this against the mom and I would never ever do another 'favour' for her again.

[Mom2Two]

I don't think you should have agreed to take a sick child back to care but I think you relaize that now. It makes no sense why they kept him at home and then decided to bring him...who the heck does that? When he showed up coughing like crazy it makes me think they needed care so they could run an errand or something....she obviously lied to you.

I would be pretty ticked but at the same time feel mostly angry at myself. I would mark this against the mom and I would never ever do another 'favour' for her again.

I know...I realize now that I wasn't quite computing that dcb had a "persistent cough" earlier in the day so mom was going to keep him home, but was then asking if she could send him.

We were buying a car for ODS who just turned 16 and needs a way to get to his new job etc. and I was feeling jittery about that.

My policies state that I appreciate "proactive parents" when it comes to keeping sick kids home, and this is partly why. I hate having to be the one who says "no."

[daycarediva]

It sounds like they gave him meds, it reduced the cough so they brought him. Meds wore off, he was obviously ill. If they kept the child home for part of the day, the child should have stayed home the entire day. Lesson learned.

I always say that I am busy and will reply back later (when I have had time to think.)

[laundrymom]

I also turn no one away. My typical response is::
"I may have an opening in a week or so as I have a family whose needs are changing. I will add your number to my waiting list file and if an opening comes available I send a text to all on it. If you still need care you can contact me back for an interview. If not just delete it. No hard feelings. "

[Mom2Two]

I also turn no one away. My typical response is::
"I may have an opening in a week or so as I have a family whose needs are changing. I will add your number to my waiting list file and if an opening comes available I send a text to all on it. If you still need care you can contact me back for an interview. If not just delete it. No hard feelings. "

You're right...I need to start a waiting list!!!! Then my options can stay open!!!!

[Mom2Two]

When he showed up coughing like crazy it makes me think they needed care so they could run an errand or something....she obviously lied to you.

I would be pretty ticked but at the same time feel mostly angry at myself. I would mark this against the mom and I would never ever do another 'favour' for her again.

I think that mom did go to work, but my guess is that she has run out of favors at work with all the time she's taken off for her racing, and she and dad decided to dump here. This family has the biggest army of people who do favors for them...but I'm guessing that sometimes other people run out of patience with them.