Both parents have COVID and influenza-how to work with nanny?

[Anonymous]

DH and I both have COVID 19 and influenza A. I also have walking pneumonia. We have 2 kids. One is 6 and self sufficient, but the other one is 3 and has autism and epilepsy and is prone to self harm, destruction, and running away from us. He’s also extremely hyperactive and has zero interest in screens. Like, NONE.

We’ve had fevers of 103-104. DH was hallucinating last night from delirium. We are both very seriously ill.

Our nanny took our 3 year old to her house on Wednesday because we were sick and has had him ever since. I said I’d come get him tonight but I don’t think I can do it. I can’t even get myself to the bathroom alone.

I want to ask our nanny to keep my son for the weekend, but I’m so scared she will say no. Im willing to pay her upwards of $1k/day. I’ve reached out to other babysitters but nobody will take our son, and definitely not for a weekend. Everyone is concerned since he’s been exposed to covid and flu. We also need someone to take him away from our house and not everyone is set up for that.

Any tips for how to navigate this?

[Anonymous]

Maybe try White House Nannies? I know they do last minute emergency care. It will not be cheap but might work for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe try White House Nannies? I know they do last minute emergency care. It will not be cheap but might work for you.

But will they take likely sick kids and will they host? All the nanny agencies I’ve found expect to come to your house.

[Anonymous]

Do you have *any* family you can call in? I would even fly in a dreaded mother-in-law in this kind of emergency. Or your best friend. I would watch my best friend's kids in this situation. Ask the nanny first but also tell your friends/family the situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have *any* family you can call in? I would even fly in a dreaded mother-in-law in this kind of emergency. Or your best friend. I would watch my best friend's kids in this situation. Ask the nanny first but also tell your friends/family the situation.

Op here. We don’t have anyone capable or willing. especially since it’s such a big ask to take care of our 3 year old. He’s very large and destructive and strong and fast. Nobody in their 60s could do it. We moved to a new city before COVID and haven’t really made close friends here.

I hate to even ask this but like, if it gets really dire, is there some way to call in emergency foster care or something? Or would I be risking not getting my son back in a few days?

[Anonymous]

Why don't you talk to her vs. us? This makes no sense to post here. Clearly you are well enough to post and be on social media. You had the kid a tablet and keep him in the bed next to you. I don't get how you are posting here a very clear post and yet saying you are that sick. When I'm that sick I cannot use even a tablet.

[Anonymous]

Op here. How do I phrase this to the nanny? Do I just come out and offer her the $2k for the weekend? Do I offer more? I know she loves our DS and don’t want to insult our nanny but I want to make clear that we’re extremely desperate for her help and willing to pay for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have *any* family you can call in? I would even fly in a dreaded mother-in-law in this kind of emergency. Or your best friend. I would watch my best friend's kids in this situation. Ask the nanny first but also tell your friends/family the situation.

Op here. We don’t have anyone capable or willing. especially since it’s such a big ask to take care of our 3 year old. He’s very large and destructive and strong and fast. Nobody in their 60s could do it. We moved to a new city before COVID and haven’t really made close friends here.

I hate to even ask this but like, if it gets really dire, is there some way to call in emergency foster care or something? Or would I be risking not getting my son back in a few days?

This sounds fake. No, foster care isn't going to take your son because you are sick and don't want to care for him. Suck it up and make it work.

[Anonymous]

Just ask her. Tell her "We are so sick we would be happy to pay you $1k a day. Do you have the stamina to keep him through the weekend?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why don't you talk to her vs. us? This makes no sense to post here. Clearly you are well enough to post and be on social media. You had the kid a tablet and keep him in the bed next to you. I don't get how you are posting here a very clear post and yet saying you are that sick. When I'm that sick I cannot use even a tablet.

Op here. I’ve of course reached out to our nanny and asked for a call and am waiting to hear back.

Ds won’t watch a tablet or a screen. He never stops moving. Ever.

I’m ok in this moment but the fevers tend to come on fast and furious in the evening.

[Anonymous]

Omg just call this nanny and beg her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don't you talk to her vs. us? This makes no sense to post here. Clearly you are well enough to post and be on social media. You had the kid a tablet and keep him in the bed next to you. I don't get how you are posting here a very clear post and yet saying you are that sick. When I'm that sick I cannot use even a tablet.

Op here. I’ve of course reached out to our nanny and asked for a call and am waiting to hear back.

Ds won’t watch a tablet or a screen. He never stops moving. Ever.

I’m ok in this moment but the fevers tend to come on fast and furious in the evening.

How is it you can type out really nice responses and a post and you cannot even go to the bathroom. And, she's not responding to you? Fake.

If you are that sick, go to the ER>

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have *any* family you can call in? I would even fly in a dreaded mother-in-law in this kind of emergency. Or your best friend. I would watch my best friend's kids in this situation. Ask the nanny first but also tell your friends/family the situation.

Op here. We don’t have anyone capable or willing. especially since it’s such a big ask to take care of our 3 year old. He’s very large and destructive and strong and fast. Nobody in their 60s could do it. We moved to a new city before COVID and haven’t really made close friends here.

I hate to even ask this but like, if it gets really dire, is there some way to call in emergency foster care or something? Or would I be risking not getting my son back in a few days?

Do you know your neighbors? Even if you don't, if my neighbor knocked on my door and explained this situation to me I'd try to help.

In the meantime, if you have confirmed flu, try to get a Tamiflu prescription. Medicate the crap out of yourselves. Mucinex helped me when I had COVID.

I had to think about this when my DH and I both had norovirus simultaneously with a toddler to take care of. Our answer was screen time screen time screen time. And thankfully that particular illness passes (ugh) quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don't you talk to her vs. us? This makes no sense to post here. Clearly you are well enough to post and be on social media. You had the kid a tablet and keep him in the bed next to you. I don't get how you are posting here a very clear post and yet saying you are that sick. When I'm that sick I cannot use even a tablet.

Op here. I’ve of course reached out to our nanny and asked for a call and am waiting to hear back.

Ds won’t watch a tablet or a screen. He never stops moving. Ever.

I’m ok in this moment but the fevers tend to come on fast and furious in the evening.

How is it you can type out really nice responses and a post and you cannot even go to the bathroom. And, she's not responding to you? Fake.

If you are that sick, go to the ER>

Op here. We both got diagnosed in the ER. I was even admitted overnight due to breathing issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have *any* family you can call in? I would even fly in a dreaded mother-in-law in this kind of emergency. Or your best friend. I would watch my best friend's kids in this situation. Ask the nanny first but also tell your friends/family the situation.

Op here. We don’t have anyone capable or willing. especially since it’s such a big ask to take care of our 3 year old. He’s very large and destructive and strong and fast. Nobody in their 60s could do it. We moved to a new city before COVID and haven’t really made close friends here.

I hate to even ask this but like, if it gets really dire, is there some way to call in emergency foster care or something? Or would I be risking not getting my son back in a few days?

Do you know your neighbors? Even if you don't, if my neighbor knocked on my door and explained this situation to me I'd try to help.

In the meantime, if you have confirmed flu, try to get a Tamiflu prescription. Medicate the crap out of yourselves. Mucinex helped me when I had COVID.

I had to think about this when my DH and I both had norovirus simultaneously with a toddler to take care of. Our answer was screen time screen time screen time. And thankfully that particular illness passes (ugh) quickly.

Op here. We have lovely neighbors but they are all in their 60s/70s. DS is like a wild animal. You have to have eyes on him every second and also be capable of physically restraining him when he engages in self harming behaviors (he will bang his head against the floor. He also will throw himself against windows at full sprint). He won’t watch screens.
I don’t know what our neighbors can really do for us-drop off food or something but we have doordash for that.