Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Childminder's Club: How ill is 'Too ill'...Broncitus??

39 replies

KatieMac · 28/11/2004 21:03

One of my mums has just rung to say Twin 1 has had Broncitus (diagnosed Fri pm) and she is expecting Twin 2 to be diagnosed with it at the Dr's tomorrow. She will bring them round at about 9.30 after the Dr has seen them.

I asked her to make sure that they were well enough, and that they should not be a threat to the other children...am I unreasonable?
Is Broncitus infectious/contagious and does it matter?

OP posts:

motherinferior · 28/11/2004 21:05

Good grief, she's out of order, isn't she? You're not being in the slightest bit unreasonable. At the very least, don't they need to be at home coughing with her to look after them?

(I speak as someone who tries very hard to palm off sick children but realises that there are limits .)

motherinferior · 28/11/2004 21:06

(Or their dad, or suchlike, I mean, obviously again)

Original poster

KatieMac · 28/11/2004 21:08

They are 13m's , she is a teacher and a single parent....so I'm normally quite flexible with colds/teething etc but I thought Broncitus was quite serious....they were prem too

OP posts:

KangaMummy · 28/11/2004 21:16

As a mum of a extremley prem babies I would not want to send him away from me when ill.

DS want in hospital with BRONCILITIS several times when baby.

As a childminder I would not want them here esp. if I had other mindees.

But it is up to you and how you feel KMc.

They will prob have high temp so will that cause probs with school runs etc.

Original poster

KatieMac · 28/11/2004 22:02

Decided to give her fair warning that I might not last the day - I've got lots on tomorrow, school run, nursery run, visit to Library (a re-opening so I can't miss it), school run then swimming.

So whingy sick babies (TWO of them) are going to be a nuisence - never mind that they should be in a constant temperature and not in and out.

I know I'm nice - but really

OP posts:

ssd · 29/11/2004 11:28

KM, how did you get on with the twins?

I hope for the babies sake (and yours) their mum showed a bit of sense and stayed at home with them.Even if they haven't got anything infectious,I think they should stay at home in a cosy house with a parent with them.And I don't think you're wrong in thinking that too!

Original poster

KatieMac · 29/11/2004 12:59

Well they're here, on inhalers and antibiotics....very sleepy and not eating much.

Another Mum was here when they were dropped off and said that if I had spoken to her like that she would have felt SO guilty she would have taken her child home . Also the Dr has said that if twin 1 isn't better by tomorrow - he will be admitted.....what can I do?

I have said that as I have 7 children here tomorrow - I don't think they could be comfy here - it will be too noisy

OP posts:

amynnixmum · 29/11/2004 13:02

If the doctor is talking about a possible admission then they should be at home. Its not fair on you, them or the other children in your care to send them to you when they are so poorly. Its one thing to ask you to have them when they just have a cold or usual children type bug but not under these circumstances.

wobblyknicks · 29/11/2004 13:02

God if I'd left my 13mo with bronchitus with someone else (other than in an emergency) I'd be having a fit 5 mins later!!! I'd want to be at home checking everything was ok!

Cam · 29/11/2004 14:05

Agree that I wouldn't leave ill babies (not fair on you or them) but I guess you could take it as a massive compliment that she trusts you so much.

lisalisa · 29/11/2004 14:19

Message withdrawn

Caligula · 29/11/2004 14:36

KM, I'm a single mother and in these circumstances, I would definitely have remained home. If the doctor is talking about admitting the child to hospital, he is most definitely too poorly to be with you. It's too big a responsibility to be left to you, if he needs to go to hospital, how would you cope with the other children?

This isn't like a little sniffly nose, it's a major illness, which isn't really a childminder's place to have to deal with.

motherinferior · 29/11/2004 14:36

Katie, can you just say you can't take them tomorrow? I soooo think she's out of order. It's not fair on you, and it's not fair on the babes.

Marina · 29/11/2004 15:06

Is there something really major going on at her work that is skewing this poor woman's judgement? You obviously are a fab childminder KatieMac, but I can't believe she has left them with you in this poorly state. Agree you cannot possibly have them back tomorrow, it's not fair on any of you.

Uwila · 29/11/2004 16:30

Lisalisa make s a very good point. If I were the parent of another of your children and my child came home with bronchitis, I would be mighty unhappy with you. As a business owner, you have an obligation to provide a safe and healthy atmosphere for all of the children. and, allowing two young one coughing their bronchitis germs around is hardly supporting that obligation.

Must admit, however, I don't have any idea whether bronchitis is contageous. So my view obviously assumes that it is.

And what if you caught bronchitis. Then, you couldn't work. And then how much money would you lose? Obviously, single teacher mum wouldn't be able to make up your financial loss. I assume this is a risk you aren't really willing to take.

Original poster

KatieMac · 29/11/2004 16:40

Goodness I go away to C/M for a few hours and look what happens....
The boys were much better this afternoon...the inhalers and Antibiotics must have been taking effect. I have been assured my a Nurse friend that Broncitus is not contagious, and today at least they had individual care from me this am and DH this pm (of course they behaved better for him).

But tomorrow we will have to see how they are....with 4 other C/med children and visitors I can't cuddle them all day (like today) - so they may have to go home.

OP posts:

Original poster

KatieMac · 29/11/2004 16:42

My friend the Nurse agrees with you all - and points out that I am not qualified to give medical care only child care.

So I will probably phone and say no to tomorrow

OP posts:

amynnixmum · 29/11/2004 16:46

Don't let her make you feel bad aboutit if you decide not to have them tommorow KatieMac. It sounds to me like you have been more than generous in taking them today when they are so poorly - I know I would have said no. I hope she knows how lucky she is to have you.

KangaMummy · 29/11/2004 16:47

How was your day KMc?

I hope you don't have to have them tomorrow.

I think the some parents have to also realise the amount of emotional pressure that is put upon childminders to take children even when we don't want to because of the inconvienence it causes them if we don't.

We get told they have important meetings that they can't get out of, a conference that they are giving a presentation to, they are in charge of taking children on school trip.

There are endless numbers of reasons that parents come up with to put us under pressure.

I really hope that your day went ok KMc and that tomorrow is sorted out.

Did you get to the library opening?

Uwila · 29/11/2004 16:52

KAtiemac, is this outlined in your contract? Does it say if kids are contageous, or if they require a certain level of attentions, etc. If not, it may be worth adding a section in your contract just so you'll have something to fall back on in future.

In this particular case, it seems you've already endured the worst of it, so it might not actually be such a burdon tomorrow. You may even want to go ahead and take them, but explain to mom that you are doing her a speacial favour and that you can not in future promise to provide this level of care.

motherinferior · 29/11/2004 16:54

If my childminder tells me she can't have the inferiorettes I listen to her and take them home, at whatever inconvenience to me. It's her job to say no!

xxxxxxxx

KangaMummy · 29/11/2004 16:59

sorry MI I didn't mean all parents were like that

It is just what happens sometimes

And it is very difficult to explain to some parents that their children's health and happiness should come before work meetings etc.

BTW I do not mean that against any Mumsnetters just ranting

KangaMummy · 29/11/2004 17:00

Sorry KMc this is your thread and I should not be ranting on it

sorry

Original poster

KatieMac · 29/11/2004 19:04

Do I have MUG tattooed on my forehead???

I have just had to come home from my mums to take the medicine that the twins mum left at my house, round to her house...

Even though I put it right in front of her on the desk where she signs out.....and leaves her car keys....the exact same place she left them this morning.

I was invited in for a drink - but had to explain that as DH works nights and is due out at 7

I'm just too nice

OP posts:

KangaMummy · 29/11/2004 19:12

No Kmc

I think you were just being kind as it would have meant her coming out again with them both.

How far was it to go?

Are they coming tomorrow?

BTW my comments were not aimed at you but at parents in general.

Flip

1 2

Swipe left for the next trending thread