When Your Family Is Sick-Cancelling Care Too Much

[Blackcat31]

Yes, she asked if she was closing too much. I think she had a good reason for closing so I do not think she was wrong in doing that. You may see it differently, I was just telling her what I thought. I have a son that age and I would close if he was vomiting like that. No, I don't think closing for every little illness is ok. And, I do not have the attitude of the parents need to deal with it. But thinking about my dcp's, I know they would be understanding of a situation like that.

I wasn't trying to be argumentative so I apologize if I did come off that way, but OP did say her daycare parens were starting to be upset and she herself gave the impression that she kind of felt she could maybe be closing too much. Atleast, that is how I read the context of her post.

I think she may have had a good reason to close too, however, I think she should have looked at some alternatives first and closed as a last resort. Yes, if he is vomiting like that I would truly understand the closing but in that case she may have closed previously then for a less urgent situation that may be the cause of why her parens are giving her grief now.

My dcp's would have been understand as well, but I also think that has to do with the fact that I am pretty good at deciding whether or not a situation is dire or not so they know I have a darned good reason for closing and if I had no other alternative, only then would I close.

[JaydensMommy]

I agree, I would first make sure that there were no other options. Luckily my husband is able to take off work easily if my son were to get sick and I also have my mother nearby who could help. So I would use those options before choosing to close.

[blessedmess8]

Why do her daycare parents need to be more understanding? It isn't their problem that her child is sick.

Most providers don't give that same courtesy to the daycare families. This entire forum is full of providers who say "Tough, I don't care why this parent is doing this or that, this is MY business and yadda yadda yadda" but yet when it comes to our own, we have a completely different set of rules.

We cannot have it both ways. I am not saying you do, but the OP asked if she was closing to much...which I think she is and needs to find an alternate way to have both her business and the ability to care for her child.

If this post was made by a parent about her 4 year old not being able to sort of self-care, almost every provider on here would be all over that parent for babying their child!!

As child care providers we sure seem to have a lot of opinions on how others should raise their children but yet we don't want the same in return....:confused:

I see your point, but for the record, I would never expect a parent of one of my 4 year olds to leave them in a room alone while they are sick and puking. So, I can back up my defense of her not leaving her's alone. I would hope that my DCPs would take off and take the poor thing to the Dr.


I think the majority of us are in agreement, aside from you die-hards who could have your legs amputated and return to work the next day. (Just a little humor, there! Ha) Balance is key! Don't close too often and your parents will generally be understanding about the rare occassion when you have to close. Well, except for those parents who won't even call in to work for their own kids being sick and try to bring them to us so they don't have to take off! They aren't as understanding. So. Don't take off for a case of the sniffles or minor things, and you should be okay to close up shop for the occassional Puke-a-paloosa!

[Sunshine44]

From the post, it seems like the parents ARE upset she is closing so much. If you want parents to be reliable in paying you, then you need to be reliable with caring for their children.

I do understand puking and sick children is hard! And not all kids can make it to the toilet, but some can.

"I was not concerned about the germ part of things. I was more concerned with my son who has eaten nothing for 2 days, barely staying hydrated because he just doesn't feel like drinking, and hasn't moved from the couch in over 24 hours now. I've NEVER seen a bug like this, so I am unsure as to what to expect each day, but when he's acting SO ill, I don't feel like he can just be sent to his room and left while I tend to 3 other kids. "


That quote tells me he is really sick and if you are worried about him being dehydrated then you should take him to the doc/ER. I know your childs health comes before your job, we all get that, but at some point you have to take action. If your child is truly THAT sick, you should see a doc.

And in my opinion, she wants us to say yes it is ok to close...the parents should just say ok and go with it. I don't feel that way. You can choose to close, yes, I probably would myself, BUT they do have a reason to be upset.

I feel she wants us to say yes, close! And when we don't, she gives us all these reasons. If you already know what you are going to do and that you did the right then, then why come ask for opinions and get upset when people do not have the same one as you??

I really get the vibe that she wants to close and will use any excuse to close because her son is sick. Why do I get that? Because every time someone gives advice, there is another excuse as to why it will not work.

[youretooloud]

I never closed with my own kids sick. I never closed actually.

Two years ago, there was a really bad flu going around. (not the pukey kind) and 90% of the kids were dropping like flies, but still being medicated and brought over with the "it's teething" excuse. So, finally, on a Wed, I told everybody I was closing for the rest of the week (monday was a Holiday) and I hoped everybody would stay home and get well before starting the following Tuesday. I did that mostly because I was mad at the parents.

But, it seemed to work, not all of them came back for a week because this flu lasted almost two weeks, but it gave me a chance to unwind, and clean.

[Unregistered]

I see your point, but for the record, I would never expect a parent of one of my 4 year olds to leave them in a room alone while they are sick and puking. So, I can back up my defense of her not leaving her's alone. I would hope that my DCPs would take off and take the poor thing to the Dr.


I think the majority of us are in agreement, aside from you die-hards who could have your legs amputated and return to work the next day. (Just a little humor, there! Ha) Balance is key! Don't close too often and your parents will generally be understanding about the rare occassion when you have to close. Well, except for those parents who won't even call in to work for their own kids being sick and try to bring them to us so they don't have to take off! They aren't as understanding. So. Don't take off for a case of the sniffles or minor things, and you should be okay to close up shop for the occassional Puke-a-paloosa!

See and heres the judging on the parents, Do you not think that most parents would love to call into work everytime their child is sick and stay home instead of having to go into work for the day, I remember when I had my son in daycare, I did stay home with him whenever I could but there were days when I was really scared to call in again, And I got no help from my husband(who wanted to help) but his work full of all men, always said to people that called in, that you can easily be replaced, and staying home with the children while sick was the Womans job, Now I am not saying when theres a fever, or puking, but when its just a bad cold, I do not expect my parents to take off of work everytime, I have parents in big jobs, and I know they would much rather be home laying on the couch with their sick kids watching TV all day, catching up on housework, instead of spending the whole day at work, but its not always worth the thought of getting fired...I have never judged one of my parents for sending their kid here with a bad cold, As long as their is no fever, these things are contagious for like 7 days anyways, and contagious before you even know it. I'm not saying there arent times that warrant a parent staying home, their most certainly is...but it just seems like no one ever tries to see the other side of the picture, like my husbands work for instance, and his work is rediculous, but there it is, and he makes good money, so what do ya do..

[blessedmess8]

See and heres the judging on the parents, Do you not think that most parents would love to call into work everytime their child is sick and stay home instead of having to go into work for the day, I remember when I had my son in daycare, I did stay home with him whenever I could but there were days when I was really scared to call in again, And I got no help from my husband(who wanted to help) but his work full of all men, always said to people that called in, that you can easily be replaced, and staying home with the children while sick was the Womans job, Now I am not saying when theres a fever, or puking, but when its just a bad cold, I do not expect my parents to take off of work everytime, I have parents in big jobs, and I know they would much rather be home laying on the couch with their sick kids watching TV all day, catching up on housework, instead of spending the whole day at work, but its not always worth the thought of getting fired...I have never judged one of my parents for sending their kid here with a bad cold, As long as their is no fever, these things are contagious for like 7 days anyways, and contagious before you even know it. I'm not saying there arent times that warrant a parent staying home, their most certainly is...but it just seems like no one ever tries to see the other side of the picture, like my husbands work for instance, and his work is rediculous, but there it is, and he makes good money, so what do ya do..

Oh, good night! I've BEEN on the other side of the picture! I've had to send my kids to daycare with a bad cold or ear infection. It ****s. I said "the FEW" parents. Because let's just face it, there are SOME who would rather be at work than at home with their sick kid. So, am I going to "judge" you for sending your child (who has needed to go to the Dr for 2 weeks, and you took vacation days to go shopping and left the kid with me instead) to me to deal with along with 6 other kids? Yup! There's a difference in parents who are trying and parents who don't want to deal with their responsibilities. I don't think she's talking about closing for a cold. The kid is puking everywhere and lethargic. We'd expect parents to call in and take care of their kids for that. That's what she's doing! Calling in to stay home with her sick kid. Everyonee has to do it now and then - even hom child care providers!