Child vomiting and I’ve got a huge meeting tomorrow

[MammothyGoodness]

So my youngest has started vomiting. It’s like the exorcist, walls, carpet, bed etc. not the best news but normally I can manage. Except tomorrow I’ve got a huge meeting, massive. I’m Meeting some potential investors, taking them on a tour of our offices, showing them how our product works and then presenting in the afternoon. Others could probably do some of it, but I’m the point of contact, I’ve worked my ass off on this for months, and now I’m stuck. School won’t take her if she’s thrown up. I don’t want to send her in if she’s sick. I’m a single parent. Family are away, I’ve literally got no one who can help me. I can’t leave her, which means I can’t go in. So now my meeting is ruined and I could just cry

The chances are you may be contagious too. Can you support virtually?

@coxesorangepippin not heard of the 48 hours rule?

Are the investors travelling to you? No chance you can move them out a day? (Although you might have it then)
Or. we do important presentations on video meets every day. Could your team set you up on a screen in a room to give them an overview and answer any questions?

Where is DD’s father?

are you mad???

Off topic a bit but I live abroad and our nursery doesn't have a 48 hour rule. Basically kids are allowed in if they don't have a high temperature. Means colds etc go round and the kids get quite a few mild bugs, but DD has only ever missed half a day of nursery due to being sick. I am quite thankful for the lack of strictness (though realise I might change my tune if something really bad was spread around).

You can’t send her into school. Beyond the selfishness from an infection control point of view, your child has been unwell and should be able to stay home and rest. It’s not her fault that she is sick, and it’s not her fault you have no back up plan. Look at alternative ways to hold the meeting- virtually, rescheduling etc. It sounds incredibly stressful and unfortunate.

Can't you join virtually?

Ah I get the frustration OP. As a working single mum there are days I would rather not have off. This is an “any day but today” moment. RN I’m not attending a work opportunity I have spent months preparing for due to my health during pregnancy but I’ve had to hand it over and trust it will all work out.

You are lucky you have a team. Call up a trusted colleague who can do as good a job and take them through your plan. Copy in you manager/boss whoever needs to see that you’ve put in the work but circumstances are unfortunate and you just can’t make it in.

I can imagine it being difficult to reschedule with investors but promise them a coffee or lunch at a later date so that you can keep the personal touch.

If you are the only one there for your DD, stay with her. I hope you have a decent enough work culture to not feel like you are falling behind.

If it helps tell them you have the bug too.

I would because that means potentially 30 other kids throwing up everywhere violently for days and passing it on to others.
Shit situation though for OP and I understand the upset, but stilll no excuse to send her to school.

I think you are thinking of chicken pox, vomiting is not quite the same (Jesus wept, no wonder so many tummy bugs start at school with idiot parent like this sending kids who really should not be in school).

This, this, this and why on earth did it take till page 3 ?

Child is sick and you have an important meeting- it's a no brainer in this house. Apologies if you are a widow.

How about her father? I know you said you're a single mum but she must have a father ?

Op, if a desperate school mum called me and asked me to help I would go, even if it wasn’t a good friend. I’d help any classmates mum. I’m a SAHM though . It’s worth asking truly

Just explain the situation

Ridiculous! Schools aren’t bloody babysitters! Why the fuck would they want a vomiting child in class? So that the teacher, TA and loads of other children can get sick? So that 15 other mums have their plans messed up?

And I think the 48hr rule should be longer and properly enforced. I’m sick of parents saying he/she is fine now and then having children in class shitting themselves and vomiting and spreading their germs. Happened just recently, a mum insisted her child was fine and it had been 48hrs since the last vomit, but this was a total lie and the child had norovirus 😡 😡

OP, put work out of your mind. It’s not your fault. Your child comes first. These things happen.

I had similar - if you have any friends who have the homopathic remedy Arsen alba works very quickly - recommended when my son is as 4 and too young to take meds. Can get it in boots etc and health food stores

Charming! I think you really do “needsomesunshine”. It might help your aggression too.

The other parents and staff, certainly would, when she spreads it to everyone.

What about asking someone from the office?

if your presence at today’s meeting is so important for the company, someone might be happy to help you out.

As the wife of an investor..... postpone the meeting. Investors are parents too and will understand.
Whilst you want their investment, they also want to invest, this is a 'deal' to them as it's a win for you.

@MammothyGoodness what had been your original plan for childcare after school until you got home from work? Could you still use that if she has perked up a bit by then and then maybe at least you'd be able to the presentation part in the afternoon?

Well as a few predicted, I’ve got it too. I’ve contacted colleagues and they’ll be doing everything up until the presentation which I’m doing by zoom and I’m hoping I can make it through that. Daughter was up all night vomiting so I wouldn’t have been able to leave her anyway

for those asking- her father is completely out the picture, we moved away to escape him (which is why I don’t have any local close friends) and I hope we will never see him again.

Oh that's really shit 💐.