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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave poorly 7yo alone and do school run

23 replies

doingmystuff · 07/03/2023 14:12

I have a very poorly 7yo crashed out on the sofa with a stomach bug.
I have to do the school run in an hour which is a 10 min walk/ 2 min drive.
AIBU to think I can leave her lolloped on the sofa while I collect other dc?
I haven't ever done anything like this before and am really just asking if anyone would in these circumstances only.

OP posts:
emmathedilemma · 07/03/2023 14:13

Is there no one who could collect your other kids? I'd be most worried about her being sick while you're out.

xxxJess123xxx · 07/03/2023 14:14

I think my 7yo would be fine if not poorly but I would worry with them being sick etc choking, being scared if they are unwell so I wouldn’t
could a neighbour stop in

ranoutofquinoaandprosecco · 07/03/2023 14:15

Pop them in the car with a sick bowl.

Daisyismynameorisnot · 07/03/2023 14:16

ranoutofquinoaandprosecco · 07/03/2023 14:15

Pop them in the car with a sick bowl.

Agree. Do this.

Jules912 · 07/03/2023 14:17

I do this sometimes with my 10 year old but am actually less likely to when he's that ill, as last time he was that ill he ended up suddenly screaming in pain and I'd've hated not to be there.

Jules912 · 07/03/2023 14:18

Also only started recently once we gave him a phone.

TheChosenTwo · 07/03/2023 14:18

If you absolutely must do this (because you don’t have anyone else’s contact number who might also be doing the school run, don’t have a neighbour who could pop over for 10 minutes etc) then wake her up and sit her watching telly, phone her and talk to her while you’re gone.
I’m quite lax about things but the fact that she’s poorly with a tummy bug and 7 would worry me. You say it’s a 2 minute drive but schools at pickup time are bedlam, at our school you’d be parking a good 2 minutes walk away from school, so factor in the 2 minutes of driving time, parking, walking to school, waiting for them to come out (always bound to be late if you’re in a hurry!), walking back to the car, battling through the traffic etc… would really be about 15/20 minutes. Same as the 10 minute walk, I’m guessing it’s 10 minutes there and another 10 back plus the waiting about for them again. So at least 20 minutes. Just takes longer than you think.

Hangingtrousers · 07/03/2023 14:19

I left my just 8 year old at home yesterday for the school run to get her brother but she hadn't thrown up since the previous day. I kept calling her amd she was fine.
I think if she had been still feeling rough and was still throwing up I would have taken her with a bowl.

Skyeheather · 07/03/2023 14:19

If I had nobody else who could do the school run and nobody else who could sit with DC I would take them with me - I'd worry that they might choke on their own vomit or open the door to a stranger otherwise.

If it's only 2 mins in the car you won't be long will you? Stick them in a onesie and put their coat over the top, that's what the Mum's at my school seem to do.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 07/03/2023 14:20

Bring her in the car - you'll be back in 10 minutes, but as sure as you leave her she will vomit and be distressed, or another child's teacher will need to talk to you, or another car will clip you and you will get delayed. Better to bring her.

whichwayiwonder · 07/03/2023 14:21

Of course you can, it's 10 mins. Can you leave her with the landline phone? This is exactly the circumstances I started leaving mine. I'm sure you spend 10 mins upstairs/in the garden/garage/kitchen and she's fine...

Zola1 · 07/03/2023 14:23

I would take an unwell child with me in the car with a sick bowl and a phone, just in case they were sick while I was gone and frightened

Original poster
doingmystuff · 07/03/2023 14:24

On second thoughts she's just been sick again and is crying now so I'm not going to chance it.
I've arranged a play date with another mum until dh finishes for other dc.
Sorry for a post just answering my own question.

OP posts:
Ticktocktimebomb · 07/03/2023 14:24

I’d try and get a friend/neighbour to do the school run if possible. If that’s not possible and she is happy to be left then I’d leave her with strict instructions to not open the door/play with fire etc. You should give her the option first.

2bazookas · 07/03/2023 14:27

Absolutely NOT, sick child could vomit ot choke.

I'd ask any oher parent to bring home the other child. Or if they are older than DD< call school and leave message instructing child to walk home.

Thisismeyeah · 07/03/2023 14:27

For me it would be the risk of something happening to me and I couldnt get back quickly so Id take my DD8. Perhaps call the school and explain she cant get out the car so can you collect from main entrance so you can drive up and leave sick child in the car. Or can the teacher walk your other children to the gate so you can driveby pickup as a 1 off.

ToLongToCharge · 07/03/2023 14:32

I wouldnt of let my other child go on a playdate
The likely hood of your other child getting the bug is high.
I wouldnt want to infect the other family.

I would put sick child in the car with a towel and a bowl and collect my other child

Jules912 · 07/03/2023 14:33

Sounds like you're sorted but forgot to say my DC's school will let you collect from the office (which is right by the car park) in this situation. Obviously they like you to call first.

whattodo1975 · 07/03/2023 14:33

doingmystuff · 07/03/2023 14:24

On second thoughts she's just been sick again and is crying now so I'm not going to chance it.
I've arranged a play date with another mum until dh finishes for other dc.
Sorry for a post just answering my own question.

Is the other mum aware there is a sickness bug in your house ?

imjusthereforAIBU · 07/03/2023 14:43

ToLongToCharge · 07/03/2023 14:32

I wouldnt of let my other child go on a playdate
The likely hood of your other child getting the bug is high.
I wouldnt want to infect the other family.

I would put sick child in the car with a towel and a bowl and collect my other child

I half agree. However if this child is in school with the sibling all day anyway, then aren't they (and the rest of the class) already exposed? (The whole class being exposed being an unavoidable thing really anyway.. you can't keep a child off because their sibling is ill).

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 07/03/2023 14:48

doingmystuff · 07/03/2023 14:24

On second thoughts she's just been sick again and is crying now so I'm not going to chance it.
I've arranged a play date with another mum until dh finishes for other dc.
Sorry for a post just answering my own question.

And if you'd left her just before that to do this 10 minute school run she would have been sick, crying AND probably scared at being alone with it all. Lucky with the timings of it all when it's put like that weren't you?

Seasonofthewitch83 · 07/03/2023 15:49

Aww OP hope she feels better!

I would have chucked her in the car with a blanket and a bowl rather than worry about her, even if it was for a few minutes.

ToLongToCharge · 07/03/2023 18:32

I agree that people in the school could catch it and ofcourse the child cant miss school if they arent ill

BUT being in someone else’s house, touching all the services, playing with the other childs toys etc, sharing toilet. They other child’s family have a much higher chance of catching it

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