How should you handle a situation like this? Tonight, we went to a dinner party, and another couple brought__

Question

their sick child to the party. She had been out of school all week because of it. She walked around coughing on everyone, and touched everything. We really don't want to get the flu started in our house, but what do you do when things like this happen. We hated to leave and upset the hostess, so we stayed, but don't you think these people should have canceled?

Answer 1

OH Gosh they should have cancelled! Wow the nerve!

Answer 2

The thing about colds and flu is that even after the child (or adult) has recovered, the cough can last several weeks. Most likely the child was no longer infectious, but still had the lingering cough. After a week, most colds and flus are non-infectious. What my doctor said was 24 hours after the fever breaks, the child is no longer infectious. In the case of a cold, most times that would be 2 days, and for flu, generally 5 or so days.

Answer 3

Are you asking if the 'hostess' should have canceled? Or the people who brought their sick child should have canceled their plans of coming to the dinner party?

The hostess shouldn't have to cancel her party. Actually, it was inconsiderate for the parents to have brought their sick child to the dinner party, for the reasons you have mentioned.

Consider this---maybe the parents called the hostess saying that they couldn't come because their child is sick, but the hostess wanted them to come and said they could bring their child along. In this case, the hostess wasn't thinking clearly about the health/safety of her other guests.

It's very considerate of you to want to not upset the hostess, but I think in this case, you were also concerned about your health and the possibility of bringing home an unwanted bug into your own household and should have left. That way, the hostess can take a situation like this into account in the future if she plans another social gathering.

Schools and workplaces do not want sick children or sick employees to be present. For the safety of others to not be exposed to whatever ails the sick person.

Answer 4

Yes, they should have and for one thing why would they have their child who is so sick out, they should have had her home in bed getting a good rest for her his sake. you have every right to be upset as a parent who truly cares for the welfare of your children and I think that is exactly what you should of said that you were leaving because you were worried that you might bring the flu into your home and that you didn't want your children to get sick , maybe they might take the hint and stop lugging their sick children around. if not then maybe with that same couple at alater date you could get together and have a discussion on the matter tell them your views on it and maybe they will respect them the next time their child gets sick.

Answer 5

Yes they should have. That was very rude an inconsiderate of them to put everyone else at risk of catching something, especially those of you with children (and a new baby) at home! I would have broke out my lysol or clorox disinfectant wipes right in front of the other parents and wiped off my area....or maybe brought out some instant hand sanitizer...and then made a comment like "I have a new baby or kids at home and I dont want to bring something home to them"...but thats just me...everyone I know knows of my germ-a-phobic tendancies.

Answer 6

yes. the people should have either not come to the party or should have left their sick kid home. good lord. this is a no brainer. and the hostess should have quickly routed the sick kid to a bedroom or couch in the den.....poor kid too. sick all week and out partying with the family? get a babysitter.

Answer 7

They should not have been there with their sick child. They should have been good parents and stayed home with their child taking care of her.

If it were me....I would have said something to them. That is just plain rude and irresponsible.
Urrrrrrg!

Answer 8

Yes!.. They most certainly should have cancelled! In this situation, I'm afraid that subtlety would have deserted me. If I heard them talking about her being out of school all week .... I would have said "And you bought her here???". Not so much to be mean, but really, did the kid even feel up to being there and shouldn't she have been at home getting better?

That's awful. I hope you don't end up getting sick!

Answer 9

What I hear in this question is fear. Yes it was inconsiderate of this couple to have brought a sick child to the party although when it comes to sickness you can only do so much to prevent it, and by all means do those things. When it comes to your fear of that sickness and it causes you distress you can do one of many things, one leave and feel safe that sickness will not get you (which is unrealistic we all get sick). When you know someone is sick, take the nessesary percaustions as most people in the medical field would do, clean your personal body, hands ect...(most in the medical feild have stronger immunities from the things they come in contact with). Finally accept your feelings of fear and let go of those fears and enjoy the party and if you can find a way to help then do so by being a help to the host/ess with cleaning after the sick child. I am sure s/he would have been greatfull to you for your help and caring understanding.

Answer 10

This is living proof it doesn't require a great deal of brains to be a parent.
I hope they don't wonder why hell freezes over before they get invited to a party again.

Answer 11

I think they should have, I can't tell you how many things we have canceled because one of our kids has been sick. I don't know what people think. It's rude, I believe.