lice-wwyd?

[Anonymous]

I am a nanny a wonderful two year old boy. I also babysit for two girls I used to nanny for. In the summer, the day before I was to babysit, their mother let me know they had lice. I told her I didn't feel comfortable coming over. I didn't want to risk catching it and having my charge get it. She told me "well they had a treatment. They should be fine. Just put your hair up if you're so worried".I sucked it up and went.

Two months ago, I saw one of the girls (they go to my church). She told me she got a hair cut but she couldn't take it out of the ponytail because she has lice again. Great.

I go to babysit a few weeks later. Their mom told me that they don't have it anymore, but she still wanted me to use the comb on their head. What do you think I found? Yep. Lice.

She wants me to babysit Monday night. Is it reasonable to tell her I can't make it? She keeps telling me it's gone, but obviously that is not the case. What would you do?

[Anonymous]

My first thought is: "Geez, these poor kids had lice since the summer?!" But anyways, I would say that you cannot commit to the date. Your full time job should be your main concern.

[Anonymous]

I don't think they've had it since summer. I think its been on and off. At least I hope so.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't go.

[Anonymous]

I think you say no. You can gently tell her why. Maybe she's overwhelmed and doesn't know how to fully get rid of them or something, but if you're not comfortable and are concerned about bringing them to your primary job that is fair and valid.

I'm quite sure the MB of your two year old boy would rather not have you risk it!

[Anonymous]

Not a chance. I've never had lice but I imagine its a huge pain to get rid of. Yuck.

[Anonymous]

Omg. do not go! mb is trying to minimize the lice issue so she doesn't lose childcare. I feel for her, but she isn't doing the right thing
And, why is she having YOU do the manual lice treatment??

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't go.

[Anonymous]

Had lice for two years as a kid and it has ruined my scalp to this day. Heck no, you should not go!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Omg. do not go! mb is trying to minimize the lice issue so she doesn't lose childcare. I feel for her, but she isn't doing the right thing
And, why is she having YOU do the manual lice treatment??

She didn't have me do a treatment. She told me they didn't have them but she wanted me to comb though their hair after bath time anyway. It was really weird.

[Anonymous]

pp here, I meant 'manual treatment' as in going through with the lice comb. that's still very annoying

[Anonymous]

Just an FYI from someone who has been there done that with lice. The combing does make sense. You only do one chemical treatment to kill the live lice. You then have to do a daily comb out to remove all the eggs.

Totally understand not wanting to sit. Plus, the combing is a major pita. Kind of taking advantage to expect you to do that. There are actually lice treatment services and its a hefty fee to do a good comb out.

[Anonymous]

I would not appreciate this MB being dishonest about the lice situation. If it were me, I would definitely not go. It isn't worth passing lice onto your primary charge.

[Anonymous]

Did you lice from your charges?

[Anonymous]

Several years ago I got live from my charges. At that point I already quit working for them (another story). Also at the time I was new in the state I live today and I had no one but my husband to help me get rid of the little suckers. We throw away most of th things and washed and spayed everything that we could have not afford to throw out. I tried couple of different treatments (from drugstore) and even though I followed instruction carefully but it didn't really help. I googled that mayo is effective and I emptied the whole jar of mayo, put th bag on and I let it stay like that for like 8 hours. That worked perfect, lice were dead finally and all i needed is to comb out the eggs and my husband helped me with that. I had so much stress at that time, after I got rid of the lice I had my hair tied up for like next 4 months every time I get out. I would be happy to help the nb get rid of live but I would be furious to be lied about it.