Do you take your sick child to the park?

[Anonymous]

If they are well enough to play but too sick for daycare (ie in the 24 hour wait period), we go to the park with no play structure and ride bike or play soccer. That way they aren't touching any shared surfaces but they are still outside getting the energy out. Runny noses don't count.

[Anonymous]

I am surprised that so many Parents think it’s ok to take their sick kid to the park. Have you no consideration for the other children and families? So incredibly selfish and rude in my opinion. A cold can mess up a whole two weeks and some families can’t afford to get sick. I know people catch colds and it’s inevitable, but knowingly taking you’re sick child to a place where other kids are playing is just plain wrong.

[Anonymous]

My DD had a cough after a cold for weeks, otherwise was fine, and yes we took her to the park.

[Anonymous]

Sick kid to playground - no. It extremely inconsiderate to have one‘s germy contagious kid touching the playground equipment.

To the large grassy area with no equipment (or other natural outdoor area) - yes I would if they were up for it. My place is too tiny and sunshine and fresh air are healthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don't take our sick DD to the playground or let her play with toys in the doctor's office. We try to follow the Golden Rule - and you never know who might be immune compromised, or have a newborn sibling at home.

Same here.

Same here—but— I might feel differently if we didn’t have significant outdoor space. I don’t begrudge a parent living in a tiny apartment getting their sick child some fresh air and sunshine. When I see a kid at the park who is sick I assume her parents don’t have the resources to get her outside any other way, and try to give the benefit of the doubt.

I keep my daughter home for anything that would make another family have to go run for a covid test, and unfortunately these days that means everything. In a post-Covid universe I might be ok with going with a cold.

[Anonymous]

We don’t do anything indoors with other kids with our COVID baby, now toddler, and she caught HFMD this fall. Presumably from someone who brought their germy kid to the playground which is where she gets 90% of her interaction with other kids. I kept her away from the playground for a full 2 weeks until her rash cleared up because I couldn’t dream of spreading the same to another family. We were very bored, yes, but still got out of the house for walks etc. away from other kids. It’s the right thing to do, but based on this thread and our experience, I’m guessing I’m in the minority.

[Anonymous]

No. I don’t take my kids to the park when they’re sick with even a mild cold. I would hate for them to give even a cold to any other little kid in this day and age. Every cold for us involves a trip to the doctor with a $250 copay for a covid test and panel before my kid can return to preschool. I don’t want to do that to anyone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. I don’t take my kids to the park when they’re sick with even a mild cold. I would hate for them to give even a cold to any other little kid in this day and age. Every cold for us involves a trip to the doctor with a $250 copay for a covid test and panel before my kid can return to preschool. I don’t want to do that to anyone else.

Same. And we live in a condo with no outdoor space so it’s especially hard. But other people live in condos and apartments with no outdoor space and I just wouldn’t put them thru the covid ordeal of keep them out of school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don't take our sick DD to the playground or let her play with toys in the doctor's office. We try to follow the Golden Rule - and you never know who might be immune compromised, or have a newborn sibling at home.

Same here.

Same here—but— I might feel differently if we didn’t have significant outdoor space. I don’t begrudge a parent living in a tiny apartment getting their sick child some fresh air and sunshine. When I see a kid at the park who is sick I assume her parents don’t have the resources to get her outside any other way, and try to give the benefit of the doubt.

I keep my daughter home for anything that would make another family have to go run for a covid test, and unfortunately these days that means everything. In a post-Covid universe I might be ok with going with a cold.

This thread is 10 years old so covid and testing wasn't a concern.

[Anonymous]

Our son got HFMD recently after going to a playground so someone let their kid play while sick...

[Anonymous]

Given that my toddler has caught multiple colds and the only interactions she has with other kids is at the playground, I’m guessing many people do this. I think it’s rude, though. When she has been symptomatic, we haven’t gone to playgrounds. The park (as an open space) is fine. The playground where you can get germs all over everything while knowing the child is sick is rude.

[Anonymous]

Where do people find these old threads?

[Anonymous]

Mild runny nose, yes. Fever, no. Cough, no, but largely because of fear of being judged by other parents. (We always test with a cough to ensure it's not covid.)

[Anonymous]

If it's a lingering cough maybe yes, but no, I'm not bringing a kid with an active cold. "It's a public place" is super selfish. Genuinely don't get how this is even a question, even in non-pandemic times.

[Anonymous]

If DS is coughing consistently or his runny nose is just super gross we don't go.