To expect my sister to not bring her ill kids to family lunch tomorrow?

[SendMum]

My sister has spent the whole week ill and bed with flu. My other sister is hosting a big family lunch tomorrow for my dad who we never see over Xmas and everyone is going. When i rang my poorly sister this morning she told me that two of her three kids were now ill in bed with raging temperatures, sore throats and coughs. This evening she has suddenly announced she is feeling much better and is going to come tomorrow and bring all the children. I am worried as I have two and if they catch the lurgie , which they undoubtedly will, they will be sick over Christmas. I said I didn't want her to bring the ill ones, couldn't she come with the well one and leave the sick two behind with her husband? She says she can't as its not fair on the ill ones, so she's bringing them all. When I said that didn't seem fair on us she went mad, said thanks a lot for my understanding and hung up the phone. Now it's up to me to not go, or leave my kids at home with my husband, if I am worried. Am I being unreasonable to think that is bloody unfair?! Any advice gratefully received

My 3 youngest missed Christmas in 2010 due to being in hospital unable to even stay awake long enough to realise it was Christmas because of swine flu. By the time they were well and home again it was back to school.

Pretty rubbish Christmas that year.

Sara its not cancelling plans for fear of a bug if a person who is sick decides to behave in a considerate way and stays home until they are well.

I'm amazed by the responses to this thread and the sheer lack of medical knowledge. Colds are one thing but anything involving a high temperature should be confined. (When my kids have a temperature I use hand disinfectant between touching them, not only because I take better care of them if I am not feeling shit myself, but also since I don't want to carry their infection elsewhere).

Taking your seriously infected kids to parties should be about as socially acceptable as shitting in the street, since the effect is similar.

Your sister in BU. Why bring properly poorly children to a party? They will just want to be held, have peace and quiet and generally require TLC. I'd leave them with DH and come and see my dad and sisters and have some fun while DH could stay home avoid my dad and sisters.

Poor little ill kids. All they want is to snuggle down and be looked after. I'd've thought your sister would understand
that having had the flu herself so recently.

Is she always so lacking in empathy?

I think your sister is being unreasonable to risk infecting your children with her bugs the week before Christmas, but then there is still the chance that they could pick something up at school / nursery etc.

However cases of flu this season are low so far, and if her children are well enough to get out of bed and get dressed and ready, then I doubt very much that they have flu.