Taking child out for some fresh air whilst off school.

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DD and DS have both been quite poorly with fevers, cold like symptoms, sore throats. DD is over it now and DS is hopefully nearing the end. But his temperature is still a bit high and he’s so sleepy and off his food (didn’t eat a thing other than a bite of lasagne yesterday)

Basically we have been couped up for days. I am thinking a little bit of fresh air will do us good. Thinking of taking a drive into town as I have some stuff to put into a clothing collection bin, maybe tempt with a McDonald’s breakfast, popping into a shop to get some more calpol (been through so much of it this week) and some snacks. Maybe a walk round the block if he’s up for it.

I’ve rang the school to say he won’t be in but popping out whilst not at school? I live in a tight knit ‘nosy’ village and I’m sure somebody will say look at her not sending him into school but going out and will tell the school..

Is it really bad to do this?? OH says I’m being ridiculous and to take him out for a bit.

I need it for my own sanity too. I’ve been stuck in with poorly kids for near on 2 weeks!

Would you be happy to bump into your Boss in McDonalds if you were off work ill ? You have your answer
Er, no, that's not at all the same. It's not the OP who's ill.

If anything, the analogy is taking a sick child to McDonalds and bumping into their teacher.
But in that case I imagine the OP would just say 'he's still a bit unwell, but we've come out for a change of scene and to see if a bit of a treat would tempt him to eat' and the teacher wouldn't think anything of it. Unless the teacher were one of the nosy no-lifes the OP refers to, obviously.

I wouldn't take them to McDonalds where there will be preschool children but other than that crack in, they are at home not in prison.

If he can manage all that - a walk, McDonalds, going to the shops, I would wonder why he can't manage sitting in a warm classroom and doing some work.

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut

A temperature of 41 is not a standard cold and if you haven’t already, I think you should seek medical advice.

If he’s well enough for McDonalds I would say he’s well enough for school. A bit of fresh air might perk him up a bit though. Hope he’s better soon.

Fresh air (ie a walk with nobody much around) - fine. Fast food etc and going out to public areas amongst others when he may still be infectious (and you might also prolong his recovery) - not so fine.

Take him for a normal walk. TBH it sounds like the trip to the shops is more for you than for him, you are probably fed up yourself with being stuck in, which I understand having been there many times myself, but I personally wouldn't go to the shops and restaurants etc.

People with more than one school aged dc often have to take the sick one with them to do the school run, even if it involves walking. No big deal.

Yes school run, but shopping and McDonalds no.

A temperature of 41 is not a standard cold and if you haven’t already, I think you should seek medical advice.

I'm ok in myself so not too worried, but thanks for the concern. I'm a bit weird, I run slightly lower than normal and spike a fever easily. It'd probably go down with paracetamol and I'll take some if it gets much higher. I try not to bring it down unless I have to. Let the little virusy fuckers roast.

I wouldn't give a child who has been poorly MacDonalds

Its just junk. A child needs healthy nutritious food to get their strength back & maintain immune system. Think vitamin C - fresh fruit & veg, not processed junk.

.........................

Wow.

It's McDonald's. Not crack.

Sounds fine to me OP, as long as the child is upto doing those things and won't be contagious.

I took my youngest to McDonalds drive through for milkshake when he had tonsillitis all that sugary ice cream went down a treat

I'm pretty non-judgy and wouldn't turn a hair at seeing an 'off school' kid out for a walk or in the supermarket with a parent. But at McDonalds (or any other cafe/restaurant)? I think you're asking for trouble.

I agree with others if a child is well enough to do all of that then really they could be in school.

A little walk around the block is one thing. A trip out shopping and for dinner is another

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut
Glad you feel ok. I was genuinely concerned that you were quite unwell! Please keep an eye on things and make sure it’s coming down.

It's McDonald's. Not crack.

I agree. DD was hospitalised with a nasty chest infection when she was two and a half. She had lost her appetite, and the doctor told me to give her anything at all to encourage her to eat, even if it was just crisps and chocolate.

I don't think I have ever taken my temperature as an adult.

Well enough for a Mac Donald’s and shopping would mean well enough for school here. Fresh air in the garden for a few minutes is one thing but shopping and breakfast out another.

Just how arduous is it to eat McDs for some posters if they're saying that if you're well enough for McDonald's, you're well enough for school?!

DS is ill and off this week- we've been for a walk to park and cinema, these trips have absolutely wiped him out, he's so tired he's not even talking. On what planet is that comparable to 6 hours at school?

(Try being an adult off work with depression, if you really want to attract the snide gossips!)

^ This.

and then all the judgment when you are sitting in your car crying because you are having such a shit day. The nasty looks and total lack of compassion.

I don't think "shopping and McDonalds" necessarily means you're well enough for school. That hour or so could completely wipe him out.

I’d be allowing mine a milkshake too. But probably as a drive through and take away because after the clothing bank and getting calpol they might be a bit tired if they’ve been poorly.

Might even shove on a film on the sofa with the mc Donald’s. A bit of air will do them good- don’t over do it though as they’ll probably be tired. If it’s this bloody cold doing the rounds I still feel wiped out two weeks later.

I see no harm getting them back to full strength before school. A day well enough to do bits but not a full day of school is fine.

Glad you feel ok. I was genuinely concerned that you were quite unwell! Please keep an eye on things and make sure it’s coming down

Thanks I do appreciate it. Its 39.7 now so is dropping. It's just my thing, I spike high fevers but am rarely ill for long. Everyone in my office last year was down for days with Norovirus and I was over it in 24 hours so I guess I just have a particularly vicious immune system.

He is your child. Take him wherever you want. It really is nothing to do with anybody else.

Personally I wouldn’t be taking them to McDonalds if they had been ill How about cooking up something a bit more healthy? A bit of fresh air is a good idea though.

I know it’s well gone now but I wouldn’t do a walk. I know when I’ve been ill, having a walk just tires never out.

*me out.