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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Chickenpox

29 replies

Longtimelurkerdissatisfied · 29/09/2017 06:34

My husband was supposed to go to his parents today to work on the car with his dad, while his mum watched our three children in their house (2 toddlers and a six month old). Turns out she'll also be looking after their cousin, who has the pox - I don't know what stage, but we think he came out in spots around the beginning of the week.

Aibu to say I don't want them round there and sorry, you'll have to change plans? (I'm at work all day)
My husband seems to think so.
Thanks!

OP posts:
Sirzy · 29/09/2017 06:38

Yanbu.

Original poster
Longtimelurkerdissatisfied · 29/09/2017 06:42

Gosh, shows how long I haven't been on mumsnet for - didn't use dh, dc or pil! Grin

OP posts:
Louiselouie0890 · 29/09/2017 06:42

I'd have them over there but I'm in the opinion of rather them get it young and over and done with. If that's not your opinion yadnbu.

PetalMettle · 29/09/2017 06:44

Yanbu. Kids die from chickenpox

chocoshopoholic · 29/09/2017 06:47

For most, chickenpox is a mild illness. If yours were one of the very few unlucky ones with complications then you'd never forgive yourself for allowing them to be exposed knowingly. For that reason I wouldn't allow contact whilst in the contagious stage.

Isadora2007 · 29/09/2017 06:50

I can see both sides. How desperate is the need to fix the car? Could the in laws pop out for a walk with the cousin for fresh air?
I wouldn't be too worried about them getting CP at that age, gets it over and done with.

SandBlue · 29/09/2017 06:52

If thecspors are all crusted - possible but unlikely from the beginning ofvtgecweek, it's fine.
If spits are still blistered, I'd keep them away. The 6 month old is far to young to potentially have chicken pox if you can possibly avoid it.

Scottishgirl85 · 29/09/2017 06:55

I'd keep them away. 6 month old getting chicken pox is quite young imo. They will get it eventually but I would never knowingly expose my children to CP in very close proximity.

Pythonesque · 29/09/2017 07:00

A year or 18 months older with the youngest and I'd say don't worry; but with the little one only 6 months I think you are right to say no.

My youngest had chicken pox at about 18 months old, and I thought he'd managed pretty ok - but age 12 he still has some depressed pale scars from it; not disfiguring or anything, but definitely there.

Stellato · 29/09/2017 07:08

Six months is too young to get chickenpox. It can be very serious in small babies, and also the immune reaction isn't enough to stop them from having it again.

newmumwithquestions · 29/09/2017 07:12

YANBU

But check what stage their cousin is in - all crusted and they're not contagious any more

missyB1 · 29/09/2017 07:20

I wouldn't expose them, chickenpox can be a serious illness, one of my kids ended up in hospital, I got the youngest vaccinated!

Merida83 · 29/09/2017 07:22

YANBU!

Crunchymum · 29/09/2017 07:25

No way would I want a 6m old around a kid with CP.

I wouldn't purposely have my kids around anyone infected at any age but the 6m old is just a massive NO NO from me

usernameavailable · 29/09/2017 07:32

My eldest got c. Pox when she was 8. I had a 5mo and a 2 yr old. My 6mo was fine. She suffered the least infact. My eldest suffered the most. Honestly I would let them go. I seem to be in the minority here. But c.pox is so common they will get it at some stage and the older they are the worse they suffer. Just my opinion based on my experience

Ameliablue · 29/09/2017 07:33

No I wouldn't take them, whilst it may be a relatively mild disease for most, it can be life threatening and getting it young doesn't necessarily mean it will be mild or that they won't get it again.

RedLemonade · 29/09/2017 07:41

YANBU. I had my two vaccinated as soon as they reached 1yo. Definitely wouldn't expose a baby to it. Miserable at best, doesn't bear thinking about at worst.

LovelyPrep · 29/09/2017 07:45

Yanbu. My DD got it from her brother at 8 months and ended up with a secondary skin infection too. It was horrendous and she was really really poorly. I wouldn't want a baby to get it just to get it "over with" if I could help it.

60percentofthetime · 29/09/2017 07:48

YANBU OP. My 3yr caught cp at nursery and gave it to my 6mo. My eldest was fine but my youngest was very seriously ill. Don't put them at risk.

FenceSitter01 · 29/09/2017 07:51

Its a perfectly normal childhood disease. Best caught now.

dementedpixie · 29/09/2017 07:52

I wouldn't take them either. Ds got chicken pox at nearly 6 months and then had shingles age 3. Childhood shingles is more common in children who get chicken pox under 1 year.

KadabrasSpoon · 29/09/2017 07:56

YANBU I wouldn't deliberately give it to a baby.
Also - your mum is looking after 3 toddlers and a 6 month old. That's hard work and I'd be worried about that too. Or perhaps my toddlers are more mischief makers than most!

Ohyesiam · 29/09/2017 08:22

Would be worried fit 6 moth old.

Ohyesiam · 29/09/2017 08:22

Your husband I'd only not worried because he doesn't know the implications.

notonthestairs · 29/09/2017 08:24

Fencesitter it might be an ordinary childhood disease but it's really not best for a 6 month to catch it now.