Re school absence- I think not ....(vv long)

[TakestheMNbiscuit]

..but the school think IABVU....

DC1 had what seemed like a brief sick bug Saturday (vomited twice and accidentally pooped himself bless him - he's well past accident age) so early night,plenty fluid and rest and all sat eve and sun he was fine. Sent him to school Monday where he was fine till 3pm when he vomited and was sent home early - 48hr exclusion policy applies.

Yesterday my sis watched him and DC2 Whilst I took DC3 to the GP for routine check. I way home on bus was chatting with a few fellow school mums who mentioned their kids had the same bug but they sent then to school ignoring the 48hr rule as "they seem fine".

came home to find middle DC (18months)had refused fluids all morning, no wet nappy, no solids. DC2 started vomiting around lunchtime and continued until We saw gp in the evening who suggested A and E due to slight dehydration and refusal of fluids ...after some time there and fluids given, advice was "go home, continue with fluids and ride it out" when asked if anyone else at home was ill and I said DC1 was she stated quite clearly " it may be best to keep him off school until Monday to ensure the bug has passed through the family and everyone's back on top form"

Called school this am to explain and was met with "well thats ridiculous" "he's not the one that needed hospital" "it will be unauthorised"

Far as I'm concerned in following gut instinct, doctors advice and I authorised his absence as his mother ....DH agrees however schools reaction did leave me feeling a little PFB

Just let it wash over you and next time ask the school receptionist (or whoever you spoke to) which medical school they qualified from.

I would want to be speaking to someone else at the school I think. I can understand that they want to keep absences to a minimum but realistically its only 2 days and on the advice of a GP

What are the consequences of an unauthorised absense for you? Would that mean a fine?

I would keep him off until I felt he was well and let them put whatever little marks in the register they felt like.

I can kind of see the school's point on this one tbh - it is very unusual to keep one child off cause another is ill, esp if that child has already had and recovered from the illness and therefore can't catch or transmit it any more. It would make more sense to keep him home if he hadn't had it - as you could argue that he'd be likely to be incubating and spreading but even then, they don't always catch whatever it is.

V annoying for you to be caught in the middle tho.

Thanks for the replies! I was wondering if it seemed a little PFB but I really want this bug to pass and the doc did say to keep him off. I don't think I'll be fined [worried] if that was the case if argue it.

The irony is he has ASD and vomits frequently at things that are sensory overload for him - smells, textures and stress all
Trigger it and I've lost count of the times school have put him in avoidable situations, he's vomited and then they have applied a 48hr exclusion period - even if I've protested - and yet now they want him in! X

Thanks barbarianmum, I agree it does seem
Odd and perhaps that's why they were so off
With me however I felt like the docs advice took precedent over their opinion. Appreciate the response though always good have different views

See, I wouldn't have told them exactly what the hospital said, I'd have worded it as "the entire house seems to be coming down with it now, we're sticking a cross on the door and issuing face masks." It's not lying, because it's true, but it's not going to give them the impression that ds1 has gotten over it and you're keeping him off just in case. I find when dealing with authority, almost truth is easiest.

Dwerf that prob would of been best and closest to truth in terms of out house been on lockdown! Now to try and avoid the baby getting it