Do you take your sick child to the park?

[Anonymous]

I'm amazed at the crazy germaphobia on this site. Yes, you shouldn't take a kid with chicken pox to the park, but all the other run of the mill illnesses really aren't an issue. There are tons of germs at the park anyway.

I'm not offended if other parents bring their kids to the playground and I definitely don't stay cooped up at home with my kid. Let your kids be exposed to these germs. Unless they are immunocompromised, it's actually better if they get sick early on. Helps build their immunity for later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:but if you're not allowed to bring your child to school/daycare that way, you shouldn't be bringing them to the park or having them touch all the toys in the drs offce.

I disagree. Park is different than daycare.

And it is your responsibility to make sure your child doesn't touch the (possibly infected) toys at the dr's, or wash your child's hands. I am not going to spend my time trying to keep a cranky (sick) child from having a go at the toys at the dr's.

I find it hard to believe that everyone who has an "unwell" child stay cooped up at home for days at a time.

I agree that a park is definitely different than daycare. I don't send my sick kid to daycare because she wants to be home with mommy and I want her to have access to food and fluids. As long as she's up for it, I'm fine with taking her to the playground.

[Anonymous]

Wow - there are really parents out there who will take their sick child (beyond just a runny nose) to the playground? Even stomach bug - really?! Gross & rude!

The doctor's office is another story, but to the playground?!

[Anonymous]

I'm far more concerned about the dog poop or broken glass I sometimes see at the park than any potentially sick kids.

[Anonymous]

If my child is sick, she stays home to rest. It's less of an issue about germs than getting well for me. We take short walks near home. Kids need to rest when they are sick, just like you want to when you feel sick but have to push on through your normal schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm amazed at the crazy germaphobia on this site. Yes, you shouldn't take a kid with chicken pox to the park, but all the other run of the mill illnesses really aren't an issue. There are tons of germs at the park anyway.

I'm not offended if other parents bring their kids to the playground and I definitely don't stay cooped up at home with my kid. Let your kids be exposed to these germs. Unless they are immunocompromised, it's actually better if they get sick early on. Helps build their immunity for later.

What's the matter? You can't come up with any other ideas to keep your sick child entertained other than going to the park? When my children are sick we do crafts or we take a walk because we don't have a backyard. Is it great for the rest of the family to get sick as well? Maybe it isn't a huge deal for you to have a young, sick childad or have other members of your family sick. Maybe you have a partner with unlimited leave or family who live nearby who can help out. Maybe it's not a big deal for you to miss work or find alternative care. Please don't assume this is the case for everyone. A head cold is not a big deal but diarrhea? Are you serious? I ended up hospitalized as an adult with a stomach virus because I got so dehydrated. I can't imagine potentially exposing a newborn or young child to that. What the hell is wrong with people?

[Anonymous]

a park is a public place. when i have a sick child and am home with the sick child, there are many things i may need to do: get groceries, pick up medication at the pharmacy, and yes, i may take my little one to the park; if they are well enough to play.

you have as much chance of catching my child's germs from daycare (where he was probably infectious before he developed symptoms), to the grocery store where he sat in the cart and touched the handlebar, or the pharmacy counter when you use the same pen as everyone else.

the park should be the least of your concerns.

[Anonymous]

Nope

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NO, I would definitely keep our child home and NOT let him touch toys in public or at the doc's office if he were sick (actually I try to discourage that when he's well too bc I think of all the gross germs on them). I'd hate to get another child sick and I think of all the repercussions of having a sick kid, especially when they go to daycare/preschool and the parent can't easily stay home like I can. I also think of all those with infant siblings who could get SERIOUSLY sick of their toddler sib brought home something not even that terrible. I'm not a germaphobe (sp?) but I figure it's the least I can do to help stop the spread of illness. No one likes having a sick kid.

Bahahaha. So, you don’t let your child touch things outside of the house? How about inside the house? There’s germs on those things, too. And in the air. You should make your child wear gloves and a mask at all times. OR put him or her in a bubble. Make sure NO germs can get to them. Lol. You realize people need germs, right? Especially kids. It’s how they build their immune system.

Don’t be this OCD psycho. If it’s just a cold then yes, I’ll take my little girl to the park. I don’t encourage her to play with others kids, tho. And I won’t take her to story time or one of her classes. That’s just evil. Fever no, though. Only a cold-hearted bastard would make their child go play when they’re running a fever.

[Anonymous]

Only when my kid is feeling better but can't return to school because he hasn't been fever free for 24 hours.

[Anonymous]

Cold: runny nose, congestion, no fever, yes!

Anything involving fever, diarrhea or vomiting? Hell no!

[Anonymous]

Cold, yes. Diarrhea I wouldn’t because that’s just asking for an accident.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she's vomiting or has bad diarrhea, no. Runny noses, fine.

Same. If your child has diarrhea - even just a little - you MUST stay home. Colds? Fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cold: runny nose, congestion, no fever, yes!

Anything involving fever, diarrhea or vomiting? Hell no!

Seriously. I cannot imagine anyone doing this. WTF?

[Anonymous]

Nope. And if you knowingly take your germy kid somewhere where other kids are touching things, that is really poor form on your part.

I read something recently about how playgrounds are actually the worst place to avoid germs because NO ONE cleans them, ever. Sure, there is sun and rain, but never has anyone used a cleaning chemical on that equipment. My sister's pediatrician told her to avoid all playgrounds for her immune compromised child.

But just in general, if your kid is too sick for school, they are also too sick for the playground. Go outside for a walk or bike ride to clear your head. Play in the yard if you need fresh air. But stay away from public places where children frequent, please!