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Original poster

Do I send DS(4) into school today or not?

33 replies

ChateauneufDuTwat · 10/09/2018 06:52

It's his first full week of reception.

He has a pretty deep and rattly cough. He woke up 4 times during the night with it. Also complaining of sore tummy and he wet the bed (hasn't happened in 8 months+).

No temp and he hasn't been sick/doesn't feel sick.

Feel like I should keep him off but don't know if I'm being OTT. WWYD?

OP posts:
Pommes · 10/09/2018 06:54

Tough decision. Does your DS' cough get considerably better during the day?
Coughs tend to be worse at night. If so, yes, I'd send him in so that he doesn't miss much of the school induction.

Anastassiabeaverhausen · 10/09/2018 06:56

I probably wouldn't. It'll only run him down more. It's unfortunate but it happens.

cricketmum84 · 10/09/2018 06:57

I would send him - speak to the teacher when you get there and let them know he isn't too well and be prepared to go pick him up if he gets worse. In my experience reception year is the worst for bugs, coughs and colds. If you keep him off every time he will miss loads of school.

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WhereTheFuckIsMyFuckingCoat · 10/09/2018 06:57

I wouldn't send him. If he was up four times in the night and his cough is bad he will not only be exhausted but spluttering over his classmates. The chances are he picked it up there but I'd keep mine off for that. The sore stomach can't be pleasant to go to school with either.

TwoGinScentedTears · 10/09/2018 06:58

Sounds like he needs to be comfy and warm at home bless him.

Original poster
ChateauneufDuTwat · 10/09/2018 06:59

Thanks all.

I really don't want to start the year off with him missing a day. Was going to do as you suggest cricket and let the teacher know and be on standby to go get him.

Pommes the cough is definitely worse at night.

He's asleep in my bed now, will give him another half hour then start getting him ready I think.

OP posts:
AdaColeman · 10/09/2018 07:02

I'd keep him at home, and have a quiet day. After such a broken night he'll be exhausted, and if he's at home you can get plenty of fluids down him to ease his cough, they won't do that at school.
Hope he's better soon!

Pommes · 10/09/2018 07:03

If mine have a temperature or vomiting I'll always keep them off. Coughs sadly seem to linger forever in my house, so keeping them off would mean they were absent for half the winter (slight exaggeration there).

Say to the teacher: "DS has a horrible prickly cough, he is well enough to be at school but please could you remind him to drink lots of water? I'll be available all day if you think he needs to come home early."

TechnologicalAbyss · 10/09/2018 07:04

I wouldn't. He's 4. He's ill, if you send him in he'll just be more likely to pick up everything else going around and spread what he has to everyone else.

and he wet the bed
This is an early warning system for me, when mine does this, he is ill a day or two later.

Kidssendingmenuts · 10/09/2018 07:11

Calpol him and send him. Mention to the teacher about the cough and mention they can call you if he needs picking up etc.

Igottastartthinkingbee · 10/09/2018 07:15

I’d probably keep him off. Let him sleep. If he’s dramatically better when he wakes call school and see what they say.

Jessbow · 10/09/2018 07:16

Doesn't need Calpol! What does he need calpol for?

See how he is, if the cough is troubling him, keep him off, if not take him in and be ready to collect early if needs be

Gileswithachainsaw · 10/09/2018 07:18

Keep him home. He's gonna he tired and miserable.

Don't make school an endurance test at 4 in the first week

Catsize · 10/09/2018 07:19

I’d keep him off. Kinder to him and kinder to the other children who might catch it.

Booom · 10/09/2018 07:21

I hate the use of Calpol to mask symptoms. I work in a clinic where lots of people have ME and FM and honestly feel that one of the huge Rises in these conditions is that people are expected to plough on through. Of course I'm not saying this is going to happen to your child but it's just the general attitude. If your body is showing signs enough to wake you up it probably needs rest.

Fairylea · 10/09/2018 07:27

I would keep him home.

SoupDragon · 10/09/2018 07:29

I’d keep him home. If he were older I would send him I and see how he went but not at 4.

juneau · 10/09/2018 07:30

I'd keep him at home today if he's had rotten sleep and is exhausted from coughing half the night. The first few days in Reception they don't do much and if he's run down he's more like to pick up other things and be off even longer. I've felt that panic of 'I must send him in, it's only day X of term', but honestly it's more important that he's well. Don't feel pressured - do what you think is right as a mum.

Sleephead1 · 10/09/2018 07:33

if keep him off he's obviously unwell and now it probably seems very important he doesn't miss a day but in the grand scheme of things it doesn't really matter. Sometimes we have to go onto work and suffer on feeling awful but at 4 I don't think it's right to send them in poorly and feeling yuck

LellyMcKelly · 10/09/2018 07:34

Calpol and send him in. Tell the teacher. Seriously, if you keep a 4 year old off for stuff like this reception would be half empty for most of the year, and your kid will spend half the year off school. It’s only a cough. Chances are he’ll be fine by 10am and driving you up the wall.

MyGirlDaisy · 10/09/2018 07:35

I am in the keep at home camp too, he is only 4, bless him, in years to come there will be far more pressure for him to be in school when he isn’t well, let him have a quiet day and catch up on sleep. Hope he feels better soon.

Sirzy · 10/09/2018 07:35

If a child needs symptoms masking with calpol then they need to be at home in most cases!

Sending a poorly knackered child into a school isn’t going to do anyone any favours, especially not when they are still trying to settle into school.

Knitjob · 10/09/2018 07:37

Another vote for giving him Calpol and sending him to school.
He'll cheer up once he's with his friends and if not you can go and get him.

chocatoo · 10/09/2018 07:39

I wouldn't send him in - have a quiet day at home.

LittleBookofCalm · 10/09/2018 07:41

i would keep him at home op.

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