So OP did you do what you say you were going to do? What was sis' reaction?

I think there are other issues going on. OP for some reason does not like the family that is invited and a cough is a reason to call the family names etc

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Call your sister and cancel Thanksgiving dinner this year. Tell her that your kids are sick.

Then have T-day dinner just with your immediate family.

Your sister can go get something at the grocery store -- they are open until noon.

That is so rude.

Totally disagree!

OP says her sister called their mom, told her "My daughter is sick (i.e. I'm thinking has a fever) but I don't want to say anything to sister because she won't let me bring my child to her Thanksgiving dinner!"

Mom then passed this information on to the host.

Sister has no intention of being honest about her child's illness; and has no intention of staying home due to an ill child.

Under those circumstances, I think it is less rude to just cancel Thansgiving dinner; rather than meeting sister at the door with a care package but refusing entry, which is what OP said she planned to do.

This is the OP. THIS!!! For all of you who are laid back and whose kids are in daycare and school SO ARE MINE. We get exposed to germs ALL THE TIME. I'm pissed about the way my sister mouches off my for a meal and sometimes brings over her DEATHLY sick child (ever played host to a lethargic child with a fever of 104 who is taken out in the middle of winter just so her parents can have a free meal at your house???

As for most of the posters. GOOD FOR YOU. Everyone is different. I'm bitching about this. I DO NOT WANT SOLUTIONS. I'M BITCHING. DO YOU GET IT!!!!!!!

hah, my DNs are like this too, love them to pieces, but I now make sure we have a "cushion" of a week or two after a visit with them with important plans because they always (I mean always...) are sick, they always get us sick and every visit with the family comes with a week or two of sickness and recovery time

A cold or ocugh I might overlook -- you really can't get away from that this time of year. But vomiting, or any other gastro issues, no freaking way. That stuff will have everyone in your household sick in no time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Call your sister and cancel Thanksgiving dinner this year. Tell her that your kids are sick.

Then have T-day dinner just with your immediate family.

Your sister can go get something at the grocery store -- they are open until noon.

That is so rude.

Totally disagree!

OP says her sister called their mom, told her "My daughter is sick (i.e. I'm thinking has a fever) but I don't want to say anything to sister because she won't let me bring my child to her Thanksgiving dinner!"

Mom then passed this information on to the host.

Sister has no intention of being honest about her child's illness; and has no intention of staying home due to an ill child.

Under those circumstances, I think it is less rude to just cancel Thansgiving dinner; rather than meeting sister at the door with a care package but refusing entry, which is what OP said she planned to do.

OP I think you sound like a DRAG!

Get over yourself.

Anonymous wrote:A barking cough? OP, I had antibiotics for bronchitis three weeks ago. I still have a barking cough. Am I supposed to sit at home? I'm thinking you are a drama queen. I thought this child had an acute illness.

Definitely elements of drama queen if she's going to hand them a care package at the door, but needs help from strangers before just making a simple call. Keep in mind, OP, you've let this go long enough that the stores will probably be closed by the time you finally call to tell them they are on their own for dinner.

Anonymous wrote:A barking cough? OP, I had antibiotics for bronchitis three weeks ago. I still have a barking cough. Am I supposed to sit at home? I'm thinking you are a drama queen. I thought this child had an acute illness.

Did your read? Her sister had not taken her daughter to the doctor. You on the other hand had anti-biotics. Big difference, lady.

If you have already decided you won't have them for Thanksgiving, regardless of what your niece does or doesn't have, then you need to let them know before they arrive on your doorstep expecting to spend Thanksgiving with the family. It is unnecessary drama to wait until they get ready and drive over for you to then push them out of the door. Obviously there are family dynamics at play here other than a sick niece.

Just call and say - Hey Sis, I heard from mom that Niece was sick. Too bad as we had been looking forward to seeing you on Thanksgiving. I will send DH over with food for you. Hope she feels better soon.

Also barking coughs can be many things and can last ages after the sickness has past. My nephew has a barking cough for about a month after each cold he gets. he isn't sick it just takes ages for the cough to go away.

You and your children have to be exposed to an abundance of germs on a daily basis. You're no more likely to get sick from exposure to your niece than you are from all the other sources of germs you meet.

On the other hand, your sister's obnoxious for bringing her sick daughter even though she knows you don't want sick people at your Thanksgiving dinner. And if the child's sick, she's not going to enjoy the day with your family anyway. All of that interaction will probably make her feel less well.

If your sister makes a habit of not respecting your wishes, and this is one of many such instances, I'd call them and very nicely ask them not to come, explaining that your family's resistance is low just now for such-and-such reason. If she lives nearby, can you send someone over with a Thanksgiving dinner basket? Maybe you can include something special for the sick child.

Unfortunately, there's no way to know how sick your niece is. A cough could be a symptom of something contagious, or it could be seasonal allergies, or it could be a leftover from an earlier illness. However, given that sis likes to bring her daughter over with much more obvious, contagious illnesses, I think you certainly have a precedent to call and ask her not to join you today. Maybe your families can get together in a neutral or outdoors location later in the weekend if niece is feeling better.

Anonymous wrote:Call your sister and cancel Thanksgiving dinner this year. Tell her that your kids are sick.

Then have T-day dinner just with your immediate family.

Your sister can go get something at the grocery store -- they are open until noon.

That is so rude.

I guess I'm more laid back - my kids are in school/daycare. They get exposed to a ton of stuff all the time, and rarely get sick. Do your kids tend to pick up everything? If so you might say something and perhaps take them food or whatever. But otherwise, I'd probably just deal. I also ride the metro every day 2x a day and have people hacking all over everything in the winter, and yet I rarely get sick. I guess it depends on the immune system. Being around sick people doesn't automatically mean you will get sick, and I have also heard that people are most contagious before symptoms show up anyway.