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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take DS out trick and treating with chickenpox?

280 replies

Cherubneddy1 · 31/10/2018 11:52

DS 6 is more excited about Halloween than birthdays, Christmas, anything else. But he's woken up this morning covered in spots; clearly chickenpox.

WIBU to take him out trick and treating, on his own away from other children, if I kept him well back from people's' doors? He would genuinely be excited just to see houses all decorated ( and his sister could collect sweets for him.)

He is very well in himself.

OP posts:
Whereismumhiding2 · 31/10/2018 14:05

I suppose that giving someone an infectious disease is a trick....... GrinHmmGrin
^this

I think PPs have put it well.
Please keep your infectious son home for goodness sake. He's cc contagious, unwell and you will pass people in the street .
Nor should you he be answering door to Trick or treaters with you either, he can peek out of window from front room!

An evening snuggled up with Mum & blankets, watching Halloween stuff on TV and eating sweeties, because he has chickenpox, is adventure enough for a poorly child. Dont take him out in the cold! If I saw you out with an infectious child, I'd think extremely ill of you for putting others at risk too.
It's good you've asked as enough PPs have said "No don't do this! "

NorthernRunner · 31/10/2018 14:07

Common sense needs to prevail here.
Your DS woke up with spots this morning, therefore he is still contagious, if they were all scabbed over then I would say yes get him out the house. But chicken pox can be dangerous to the vulnerable, you would be wrong to put anyone at risk for a bit of chocolate.

Larrythecat · 31/10/2018 14:11

Verbena, I might have misunderstood, but at 12:17 OP said " I was genuinely asking advice ( which I plan on taking)...". I took that as confirmation of keeping him away from people, albeit she wanted further clarification on whether the sister was contagious, going out for other purposes and if there was any safe distance. I didn't take it as "I will think about it because I'm not sure yet", but I might have read her post in a more positive light and assumed she was taking the advice and just discussing further for clarification.

sickmumma · 31/10/2018 14:13

Please don't! Highly contagious and you would be putting others at risk! Can you not do something nice at home this time? Dress up, spooky music, sweet hunt, Apple
Bobbing, donuts on strings etc?

MaisyPops · 31/10/2018 14:14

Of course they shouldn't be going.
2nd thread I've seen saying "my child is ill and contagious. Does them putting a costume on for sweets come first?"
Confused

spagbolls · 31/10/2018 14:15

Ignore all the mean posts OP, im in the same boat! Don’t think it’s fair the little mites should miss out, its not their fault they were poorly. I’m just going to make sure ds’ hands are washed before we leave, so do that or maybe get his sister to grab the sweets for him. Hope hes better soon and you all have a fun night

ZeroFuchsGiven · 31/10/2018 14:17

spagbolls Is just being a GF.

ButchyRestingFace · 31/10/2018 14:18

Ignore all the mean posts OP, im in the same boat! Don’t think it’s fair the little mites should miss out, its not their fault they were poorly. I’m just going to make sure ds’ hands are washed before we leave, so do that or maybe get his sister to grab the sweets for him.

2/10.

VerbeenaBeeks · 31/10/2018 14:19

The update - He wouldn't be within shouting distance of other people, never mind contact with other children. Literally walking round the streets. It's not that I'm not "strong enough" to say no, more that I don't see how he could infect anyone else?

Doesn't sound like she's twigging that even walking round the streets which will also have kids and parents out and about is problematic in itself.
Sounds uber fun anyway, having to stand well back and run out of the way if you pass people. Not.

VerbeenaBeeks · 31/10/2018 14:19

Ignore all the mean posts OP, im in the same boat! Don’t think it’s fair the little mites should miss out, its not their fault they were poorly. I’m just going to make sure ds’ hands are washed before we leave, so do that or maybe get his sister to grab the sweets for him

Hmm Biscuit
borntobequiet · 31/10/2018 14:21

Yes. YABU.

OpinionCat · 31/10/2018 14:28

I'm pregnant and never had chickenpox so your child could kill me and my unborn child.

Don't take him out thanks 

OpinionCat · 31/10/2018 14:29

Also could you let me know whereabouts in the UK you are? I was planning on handing out sweets tonight but I don't fancy dying because of your selfishness

fussychica · 31/10/2018 14:30

You are being totally unreasonable.
I caught chickenpox as an adult from a child. I was pretty poorly but not as poorly as a work colleague who almost died after they were infected by a child.
For heaven's sake get a grip and keep him and his likely to be infectious sister at home.

MsTSwift · 31/10/2018 14:31

Aww it’s rubbish missing out due to illness. Still remember missing performing in a long awaited ballet show aged 6 due to cp and my little sister going ahead without me. Remember watching the Incredible Hulk at home with my dad as a substitute treat. Didn’t occur to my parents to let me go. Still missing stuff - that’s life sometimes

DioneTheDiabolist · 31/10/2018 14:35

Jesus, it's no wonder the NHS is at breaking point.Halloween Hmm

MNetters, if your child is sick they need to be at home to rest while their little bodies fight the infection and begin recovering. If your child's illness is contagious, it can be live threatening for others. Do not be the cause of the hospitalisation and possible death of other children and adults.

Keep your child at home.

Original poster
Cherubneddy1 · 31/10/2018 14:35

Larry, yes as you said, I did clarify that I will be taking the advice given to me on this thread. I asked for information and advice as I was aware I was poorly informed. For example, I was unaware that the CP virus is air-born. I'm not selfish, and would never put anyone at risk now I am aware; of course missing one Halloween is insignificant compared to making someone else seriously ill.

I came on here for advice. I didn't expect QUITE as much abuse as this. Posters seem to have enjoyed yelling abuse.

Thank you to those of you who have been helpful though.

OP posts:
cadburyegg · 31/10/2018 14:38

YABU. Good life lesson for him. Sometimes you have to miss out on fun things. Show some consideration for others.

Dorsetdays · 31/10/2018 14:38

How times have changed...when I was young we used to be sent to ‘chicken pox parties’ if someone had it so that you got it over and done with.

Totally understand that there are some people for whom this is an issue but you take that risk every day surely when you venture out in public, go to school/work or even just answer your front door?

CP is infectious even before any spots appear and is spread by coughing/sneezing or touching the blisters so I personally wouldn’t see anything wrong with a quick walk round to see the decorations, avoiding close contact with others and not going up to people’s front doors.

And the suggestion that you should keep your DD off school as well is simply ridiculous.

Iputthescrewinthetuna · 31/10/2018 14:39

YABU! My Daughter went temporarily blind when she had chicken pox! Scary time for us as a family! Please don't. Instead get a ton of sweets in, dress kids up in costumes and get them to do a spooky sweet hunt. Lights of with torches...around the house! It will be fun!

VerbeenaBeeks · 31/10/2018 14:39

Glad to see that you say you're staying at home now OP Smile
Put some scary kids Halloween films on or do some apple bobbing or something.

Original poster
Cherubneddy1 · 31/10/2018 14:41

Iputtyescrewinthetuna, that's a great idea re.the sweet hunt in the dark, they'll love that, thank you.

OP posts:
mediumbrownmug · 31/10/2018 14:42

YABVU. I've had cancer, been immunosuppressed, and this would have killed me in less than a week. Please don't take out his sister either, as she's almost certainly contagious also. Spend this Halloween in, it's only one day. Don't hand out candy to the trick or treaters, either. I know it's hard, but it's honestly the best thing to do. Flowers

ShinyCapn · 31/10/2018 14:44

We did a scavenger hunt in the house last year. You could try something fun like that and all the old school Halloween things we did when we were wee like dunking for apples. I remember my dad trying string round a doughnut and attaching it to the ceiling then we had to try and eat it without touching it with our hands. We laughed so much! Hope you can find something fun to do to distract from the fact they’re not getting to go out trick or treating.

SilverySurfer · 31/10/2018 14:45

Presumably the trick part is your child giving all the other children chicken pox? Hmm

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