How do parents feel about everyday colds?

[Anonymous]

My kindergartener has her second cold since school started. She had one early September. I kept her home for a day and then sent her to school with a little cough. A month later, she has another cold. I tested her for Covid both times. I considered keeping her home but I sent her to school. I also have two older kids and they basically had a cold on/off all winter when they were in preschool and early elementary.

We are invited to a play date next week at a home and I also invited someone over for a play date but have not yet confirmed since my daughter has a cold.

Would you cancel if other child had a cold?

The kids are all in the same class so they already see one another at school.

[Anonymous]

I'd let the other parent know and let them decide whether to have the playdate.

[Anonymous]

Yes, and I'd never invite you or your child over, again.

[Anonymous]

I would let the other parent know all relevant information and do what they're comfortable with. If a kid is testing negative and has minor cold symptoms (like a cough or runny nose that very often last a week or more in colds), I would still do the playdate, personally.

[Anonymous]

An everyday cold is an everyday cold. Put a mask on your child to protect others and move on with life.

[Anonymous]

My DD has a cold all week and had a playdate today - I texted the other mom Thursday and said "I wanted to give you a heads up that Lena has had a cold all week, she has the sniffles and a mild cough, but no fever. Should we reschedule if she's not feeling better by Saturday AM?"

Her friend's mom replied "No, it's totally fine, they're all exposed to the same germs during the week!"

[Anonymous]

I'm not keeping my kids home from school for everyday colds.

Last weekend my youngest was a full week into a mild cold and had that lingering cough.

I just texted the other family something like: "Hey, Larlo is looking forward to seeing Larla later today. Just a heads up that he's still coughing a bit from a cold he caught last week. No fever or other symptoms, and covid tests have been negative. If you'd prefer to postpone I completely understand."

[Anonymous]

Eh, is the cold manageable? Can your kid blow their nose and cover their mouth?

Are we talking an occassional cough or a relentless hacking one?

Fever?

Obviously, feeling OK to play and keep it together all day in school,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd let the other parent know and let them decide whether to have the playdate.

+1

And if someone let me know that, I'd cancel. Nobody has time for a cold that might take us all out for several days

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, and I'd never invite you or your child over, again.

If someone just shows up with a cold and never gave a heads up, never inviting them ever again. Gross

[Anonymous]

I have given a heads up in this situation, and fwiw, other families were fine with proceeding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kindergartener has her second cold since school started. She had one early September. I kept her home for a day and then sent her to school with a little cough. A month later, she has another cold. I tested her for Covid both times. I considered keeping her home but I sent her to school. I also have two older kids and they basically had a cold on/off all winter when they were in preschool and early elementary.

We are invited to a play date next week at a home and I also invited someone over for a play date but have not yet confirmed since my daughter has a cold.

Would you cancel if other child had a cold?

The kids are all in the same class so they already see one another at school.

You’re so worried about a playdate, yet you send your kid to school like that every single day. I can tell you what these kids do all day - cough all over other kids and teachers, pick their noses constantly and wipe it on everything around them, sniffle and sniffle without stopping, wipe their noses with hands every minute. Once in a while they get a tissue when a teacher prompts them. So why are you worried about your little play date if you don’t mind sending your kid to school like this?

[Anonymous]

I am in camp “school is ok, playdate not.” School is less optional, and while germs spread at school… I wouldn’t want child with cold all over my child’s toys, bedroom, etc.

I also don’t love putting other parents in awkward situations. I think you as a parent should decide that cold is either super minor/almost over (and just don’t say anything) or bad enough that you should cancel. This isn’t a wedding, it’s a playdate … can easily be rescheduled.

[Anonymous]

I text that morning and say “my kid has been pretty snotty but otherwise ok, let me know if you want to postpone!”

No one has ever opted to postpone though. We just try to keep them outdoors.

[Anonymous]

I would just move the playdate outdoors. I am an independent contractor. If I don't work, I don't get paid. If my kid needs to stay home from school or someone brings an illness into our home and it turns into something more than a cold it is more than a minor annoyance.