When did you go to work, leaving a sick child home alone?

[Anonymous]

First of all, get that kid a strep test.

Secondly, my kids started staying home alone with mild illnesses around 12. If it's something dramatic, like stomach flu or influenza, I stay home for the first rough days.

[Anonymous]

Not until I trust them to medicate themselves, fix themselves something to eat, and contact the right people, even when their brains are addled by fever.

The age will vary for every individual, but my son is 12 and definitely not there yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was a looooong thread in this before with some really scary anecdotes.

Better to take the kid to work and stash him in your office.

I'm sure your colleagues love you.

[Anonymous]

And when you don’t have any office? Not all professions work in offices!

[Anonymous]

When our DS became chronically ill in 7th and diagnosed in 8th grade and missed 1 to several days a week and sometimes missed up to the full week. I did leave him at home but not for extended time - just 2-4 hours 2 days a week. I mostly work from home which has been a blessing. That was about as long as I could leave him because he was bedridden on those days and I had to do everything for him. I did check in frequently by text with him.

I think if a kid is mature, age 11 is fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't leave an 11 year old at home alone more than an hour or two if they were perfectly well, so no way I would leave one alone for a whole day who was sick. SMH.

SMH at judgy parents who never let go.

LOL at you calling the above poster judgy.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the illness. Bad cold? 11y - but not all day - maybe 3-5 hrs.

Vomiting/fever? Not sure I would. Maybe HS (DS is now 12y and stays home alone about 8 hrs at a time now when he is well)

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't leave them home vomiting or with a fever. I work close to home and can go home twice in the middle of the day. If my MS kid is on the last day and is staying home just to be safe, I'd be OK with it given our situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure I'd even leave my DH if he was throwing up. That can lead to serious dehydration and I think warrants some hourly check ins.

So I would never leave a child who was throwing up alone.

Oh please. That's ridiculous!

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't leave a sick kid home alone. This is when they might need you. Even a high schooler. They are still kids.

[Anonymous]

I left my daughter home alone during the day at 10. She wasn't throwing up or anything just a fever/cold. She slept most of the day and would call in to check on her. She knew not to go downstairs, answer door, or use stove. I left her food prepared. I think it depends on your child. My daughter knows the rules and follows them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was a looooong thread in this before with some really scary anecdotes.

Better to take the kid to work and stash him in your office.

Can anyone find this thread that was mentioned

[Anonymous]

Last week left my 11 yo home alone while sick. I had a major presentation at work and DH was traveling for work. Mild fever (99.9 to 100). Of course they never get sick when work is in a lull. I called her hourly to check on her. Vomiting I'd have stayed home. Higher fever I'd have stayed home.

One time a family friend said "being a stay at home mom is the hardest job". Last week I wanted to kick him in the nuts thinking of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last week left my 11 yo home alone while sick. I had a major presentation at work and DH was traveling for work. Mild fever (99.9 to 100). Of course they never get sick when work is in a lull. I called her hourly to check on her. Vomiting I'd have stayed home. Higher fever I'd have stayed home.

One time a family friend said "being a stay at home mom is the hardest job". Last week I wanted to kick him in the nuts thinking of that.

Well, sahms don't have a workplace they can escape to to get away from their sick kids. Only slightly kidding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last week left my 11 yo home alone while sick. I had a major presentation at work and DH was traveling for work. Mild fever (99.9 to 100). Of course they never get sick when work is in a lull. I called her hourly to check on her. Vomiting I'd have stayed home. Higher fever I'd have stayed home.

One time a family friend said "being a stay at home mom is the hardest job". Last week I wanted to kick him in the nuts thinking of that.

Well, sahms don't have a workplace they can escape to to get away from their sick kids. Only slightly kidding.

I get that. And I wouldn’t say either one is easier or harder. In fact I’d put coal miner ahead of both.