Mommy Dearest,
Isn't the number one rule of play dates not to bring your sick child to another family's house? I recently hosted a play group and invited six other mothers and their babies over to play and have lunch. I was happy to have them all accept the invitation, except one. A 6-month-old little girl came over coughing, sneezing, and crying her little red eyes out. Everyone could tell how miserable she was, including her mother. She told us, "I'm sorry she's sick. I just had to get out of the house!" We tried to keep our children as far from her daughter as possible, but it didn't make any of us at ease with the situation. I wanted to ask her to leave, but was afraid she would be offended and not return to future gatherings. What should I have done, if anything?
— Sick About Sickness
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Sick About Sickness,
It sounds like your friend should have gotten out of the house and gone to the pediatrician. The child doesn't benefit at such a soiree since she was unofficially quarantined from the healthy children. She would have been better served at her own home with some rest and recovery time. However, if someone arrives with an ill child in tow, you might try a little honesty with a soft edge: "Maybe today isn't such a great day to play. It's pretty obvious that she's not feeling well. We'd be happy to have you over for another play group when she's up to par." If that doesn't work, you could ask her to keep her child in another area so that the other children are less exposed.
— Mommy Dearest
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Source
Crocs
Lanvin
Flip*Flop
Ugh! I hate that. When she admitted the child was sick I would have suggested they could both use a nap more than a play date or just badger her a bit about going to the pediatrician soon!! She was very rude and honestly I wouldn't care if I offended. Who wants someone who gives no regard to other's health in their house anyway. Bye, bye.....
1that mother is very selfish, using her child as a way to socialize and not caring that her daughter needed rest and possibly medical attention...i understand you didn't know what to do, and i guess all you could have done was drop hints about taking the poor kid home
2Why take the kid to a paediatrician? It sounds like just a cold, if it didn't go away after a while then yeah go to your GP, but a paediatrician? That's a bit OTT! As for trying to keep you kids away from all germs & illnesses, it's unrealistic. Life is dirty and people get ill. Research has shown that exposure to these things during childhood helps build a stronger immune system. Americans worry way too much - you can't wrap your kids up in cotton wool, it only harms them in the long run.
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