How do parents feel about everyday colds?

[Anonymous]

I agree with a PP about school being important and play dates being less so. It’s not reasonable for parents to keep kids home for the entire length of symptoms (although hopefully to do during the fever/super congested phase).

That said, I’d like to be given the option. If it’s just lingering symptoms of day 5 of a cold, we probably wouldn’t reschedule or would suggest outdoors. New symptoms that may not have peaked yet? Ehh, I’d rather postpone and make sure it isn’t something that is more than a mild cold. Also we may be more cautious if something like a vacation or grandparent visit is scheduled soon. Sure there is some exposure at school, but a 1:1 indoor playdate is a more immediate exposure than I’m willing to deal with in some cases.

Also, if your kid has recently puked, please postpone. I had a friend bring her kids over to play and the oldest looked fatigued/not so great. She then mentioned he had been puking that morning but “hadn’t in a few hours.” Ummm what??? I was super annoyed. By some miracle we escaped unfazed but I spent the whole afternoon sanitizing all the toys they played with.

[Anonymous]

Let the other parents know, as PPs have said. I wouldn’t cancel a play date for minor cold, especially if the kids are in class together.

[Anonymous]

I always let the other parents know and give details - even if it’s really minor and let them make the decision. It’s just common courtesy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I don’t find it an awkward situation and I appreciate the head’s up. Sometimes I ask to move the playdate outdoors, sometimes to postpone, or sometimes I keep it as is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I don’t find it an awkward situation and I appreciate the head’s up. Sometimes I ask to move the playdate outdoors, sometimes to postpone, or sometimes I keep it as is.

+1

On a side note, this bizarre inability to explain the situation and let people make their own decisions without judgement is just so…immature.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I don’t find it an awkward situation and I appreciate the head’s up. Sometimes I ask to move the playdate outdoors, sometimes to postpone, or sometimes I keep it as is.

+1

On a side note, this bizarre inability to explain the situation and let people make their own decisions without judgement is just so…immature.

Op here. Timing for the play date at my house didn’t work out. Another play date was just planned for next Friday. Hoping DD’s cold is gone by then.

[Anonymous]

You are terrible to send a sick kid to school and expose other families. It sticks we have to stay virtual school because you are selfish and cannot be bothered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are terrible to send a sick kid to school and expose other families. It sticks we have to stay virtual school because you are selfish and cannot be bothered.

There has not been virtual school for over a year.

[Anonymous]

If your kid is happy to be playing and not dragged down by the cold, I'm of the mind that it's fine to have the playdate. I can't even keep track of when my kids have or haven't had colds. Or myself, for that matter. It's just kind of an inevitable part of life but really NBD in most cases. As evidenced by the fact that the kid (on my example) is otherwise happy to keep playing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are terrible to send a sick kid to school and expose other families. It sticks we have to stay virtual school because you are selfish and cannot be bothered.

Are you a time traveler from 2020?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are terrible to send a sick kid to school and expose other families. It sticks we have to stay virtual school because you are selfish and cannot be bothered.

This is now October 2022, not 2021. We have moved on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are terrible to send a sick kid to school and expose other families. It sticks we have to stay virtual school because you are selfish and cannot be bothered.

Are you a time traveler from 2020?

I was just thinking if anyone I know has had virtual this school year or even last year. I’m pretty sure all of 2021 was in person.

There was a Covid outbreak (4-5 kids) in my kid’s class last spring and we didn’t even have virtual.

People aren’t staying home for colds and definitely not shutting school down for a cold. That was 2020.

[Anonymous]

I would only cancel if I had a big vacation/anniversary dinner/etc. coming up that I didn't want to be sick for. I am never offended by people living life with mild toddler colds. if I kept my kid out of school, etc. for every sniffle I would never work or leave the house.

[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.

If my kid had a cold I would cancel the playdate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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!"

This is such a sane and normal interaction - I can’t believe it was actually posted on DCUM. Gives me hope!