I babysit 2 children. They are 2 and 6. The 6 year old's class at school is having star of the week and this week they picked him. So,that meant that each day he had to bring something in. Tomorrow, he was supposed to take in his 2 year old brother. I told his parents last Friday that I would take him there, but that was before he got sick. Now he has a really bad cold and is being really grumpy and fussy. He has been that way since Monday. I told his mom tonight that I was not going to take him because I don't want him getting there and throwing fits and passing his cold to every child in the class. Did I handle the situation right? His mom acted upset when I told her I was not going to do it. What would you have done? If you are a parent would you be upset or could you understand where I am coming from?
2007-11-14 10:44:48 · 14 answers · asked by Laughing with you not at you 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
I think you have made the right decision. Well done. I am a parent & I would have done the same thing - that is made the decision that the visit cant go ahead. I also know that the parents of the other children would be really mad if their kids end up getting sick because someone took in a toddler to visit especially when everyone knew he was obviously sick. Especially working parents - not all of them have a babysitter/nanny & if their child gets sick then they have to take time off work. Apart from that why would anyone want to put anyone else (students or teacher) at risk of catching an illness. You have made a very mature and considered decision.
It seems to me that the mom is not too happy about having to deal with the the disappointment of her own two kids. She shouldnt make you feel bad about this; that is unfair.
As a compromise perhaps you could speak with the 6 year olds teacher & simply explain that the 2 year old is unwell and therefore you can't bring him to visit tomorrow (you dont want to infect other people, plus he is very unsettled & fussing) You realise that the children are looking forward to his visit and will be disappointed that he cant come as originally planned but can we postpone his visit to a later date. I am actually quite sure the teacher will not want you bringing a sick child into the classroom & that he/she will be quite flexible with organising a new day to visit.
Then you can tell his Mom that the visit has just been postponed until he is well enough - and that the school would prefer that he visits when he is well. Sounds like the mom is having more trouble handling disappointment than anyone else in the situation.
2007-11-14 11:40:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You did the right thing. I can guarantee as a parent that I wouldn't appreciate a 2 year old that sick with a cold in my kids class and his immune system is run down, so really, he shouldn't be around all the other kids and whatever they have. Don't worry. If the parents don't get it maybe you taught them something. Better yet, print off the answers to your question and give them to her if she can't grasp the concept that teachers and parents don't want sick kids in school. Plus, what fun would it have been if he was that grumpy? Hang in there.
2007-11-14 10:54:45 · answer #2 · answered by Cash 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I think you did the right thing. You're letting her know that you couldn't handle sudden outbursts. If the 2yr old would have gotten out of control and you didn't handle it well the mom would have probably questioned your judgement and said "well, why didn't you say something". She should definitely understand the part of not getting other kids sick. If the situation was with another child in the class I'm sure she wouldn't want her child sick.
2007-11-14 11:15:24 · answer #3 · answered by D 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As a parent, I would have told the sitter not to take my child with a cold out and about to spread his germs to others. I may have worded it more as a "Do you think it is a good idea to take little Johnny to school with a cold?" That way it allows the parent to make the decision as the parent. You could have accepted it had she told you to go anyway and made the visit very short.
2007-11-14 11:35:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i, being a babysitter also, understand where your coming from. The kids i babysit get sick and have fussy fits,
i think i t was the best decision to not take him, we don't want every child getting sick.
2007-11-14 10:52:26 · answer #5 · answered by slozac 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If the boys parents are upset just overlook it and do not fixate on it. Maybe they are upset at the whole situation not you besides they are lucky you will even watch a sick baby most people won't even let you drop the kid off. They are lucky to have you and this will soon pass. P.S. Thanks for not sending sick babies to school they just make everyone sicky.
2007-11-14 11:07:54 · answer #6 · answered by kayville 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes you did the right thing. Or would she have preferred that you bought her son and give about 15-20 kids the oppurtunity of getting sick? Anyway don't worry you did the right thing
2007-11-14 12:08:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not take him. I am so tired of parents sending sick kids to school and getting my kids sick. You did the right thing. If the mom gives you any crap let us know and we'll read her the riot act.
2007-11-14 10:58:16 · answer #8 · answered by oy vey 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Parent should uderstand that cold spread easily by just coughing droplets to whole kids
2007-11-14 10:57:06 · answer #9 · answered by sa_2006 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you did the right hting think about the parents at school they wouldn't want their kid sick so why would that kids parents get mad i don't know I whould've done the same thing as you
2007-11-14 13:20:27 · answer #10 · answered by tinkerbellleahy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋