Poor Evie. She woke up several times last night thanks to an icky stomach bug, and we’ve been cleaning up the mess ever since. Fortunately, I’ve got some homemade tools in my arsenal that make cleaning up midnight vomit a little easier – all purpose vinegar spray (the same one I use to clean the floors, fridge and countertops!) pulls up gunk and neutralizes odor. Old-fashioned cloth diapers do a wonderful job of swiping up puke puddles, too. And, sometimes a quiet back scratch from mom is all it takes for a sick little one to drift back to sleep at 3 am.
The kids spent Thursday morning at the children’s museum and Thursday afternoon at the nature museum. If I was a bettin’ woman, I’d guess she picked up some nasty germs at either place. I wonder if the parents who brought their sick kid to a museum thought about the many families that would pay the price. Its a domino effect of puke and sleepless nights and forlorn faces.
So, parents, can we all have one big communal handshake in agreement of the following statement: If my kid is sick I will not take him/her to public places. No school. No grocery store. No parks or playgrounds or playdates. I know that a sick kid interferes with a lot of plans and schedules and arrangements, but sometimes life gets in the way of, well, life. Evie missed her Saturday morning gymnastics class today, and I had to sadly cancel tonight’s dinner plans with my friend Adrienne and her family. Trust me, its been a long bummer of a day, but I’m not about to let other kids get sick just so we’re not stuck inside all day.
I know little bugs like this help Evie’s immune system strengthen and grow, but I’m not going to go out of my way to expose her to undesirable germs. She is now snoozing on the sofa, snug in her princess pajamas while “The Little Mermaid” softly plays in the background. I’ve got a towel nestled next to her – just in case! – but she seems to be on the mend. Such a sweet little patient.
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AMEN!
Could not agree with this more! Very timely for us as sick kids are messing up our weekend plans, too – but there’s too much going around to risk getting them and others sick! Sometimes life just gets in the way of life, as you say!
I agree!! Although, sometimes the sickness isn’t there but the germ is a couple days before the sickness happens. It’s hard to gauge when the flu will strike in that scenario. But I promise, if my kids are sick, I do not nor will not take them to play anywhere since they probably don’t want to anyways!
I hope Evie feels better!! I would agree with Lynne, although I would never bring my boys to public places when sick, I think many germs are spread before the illness has actually presented itself. However, I am sure willing to promise to keep them hunkered down at home at first sign of illness.
Well wishes to all,
My son recently had this and I found out that you can be contagious days after your symptoms are gone. Most parents assume no symptoms means not contagious but in this case it’s not true. My son had symptoms on and off for a week and then I waited a about 5 days before taking him anywhere. Hope she gets better soon!
Hear, hear!
Now if we could just get “responsible” adults to stay home from work when they’re sick!
Love your blog!
Warmest regards,
Joy
http://www.PardonMyPoppet.com/PipSqueaks
Pardon My Poppet ~ Pip Squeaks from the Mummy-verse!
Totally agree, Joy!
I agree in principle. Unfortunately, many employers don’t have policies that allow or encourage sick employees to stay at home. When faced with losing a much-needed day’s pay, or the possibility of job loss, the picture gets complicated.
Maureen, I was finally catching up on my ND magazine (I think the one that came out in December?). The final article made me think of you/this post!
Haha I just read that the other day, too! Funny how it takes a mom a month to catch up on a magazine! GO IRISH!!
We just had our first stomach bug. Our son is 13 months and was throwing up on Thursday. But he was perfectly happy and playing so at first I didn’t realize what it was. And then I got it on Friday. I was not so perfectly happy. We had an engagement party for my sister-in-law on Saturday night and against my better judgement we went because it meant so much to my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. I haven’t heard if anyone else got sick and we only stayed for a short time but I really wish I would have just listened to my mom instinct.
Anyway, after having our first family sickness I totally agree with this post. Not easy to be a mom, dad, or kid when everyone is sick. Yuck.