Chickenpox during the holidays :(

[LuckyMoonstone]

DS 4yrs has chicken pox, obviously this was going to happen eventually but what crap timing! I’ve had to cancel loads of nice Easter activities we were supposed to do, I feel terrible for him. Physically he seems fine, just a bit tired, but it’s such a shame to have to keep him cooped up. At least if it was during term time he wouldn’t be missing out on much. I’ve had to explain to him why we can’t do any of the nice things we had planned for this weekend and next week- Easter egg hunts, swimming, play dates with friends. I feel awful.
If it was just him it wouldn’t be so bad but I also have a 1.5 year old who is now stuck at home with us!
He should be out of the contagious period around Thursday I think, but I’m not sure. And I doubt anyone with little kids will want to risk meeting up with us.
Im thinking I might be ok to take him to the park, if it’s not too busy and he won’t be really close to other children? Or is that too risky for others?
Just wanted to vent really, I’m so annoyed that our lovely plans have had to go down the drain :(

No, you didn't get him vaccinated, he's now infected, so you don't now get to go out to the park!

@Springadorable no need to have such a nasty tone. It’s shit enough that we’re stuck at home with fuck all to do, he can’t see any of friends. I just wanted to get him some fresh air. It was a thought, about going outdoors to find a quiet space, not ‘I’m definitely going to take him out to touch everybody else’s children’.
Maybe I’m out of touch but I don’t even remember hearing about there being a vaccine. Never seen it on any forms, any letters, school have never asked about it. So it never even crossed my mind.
Thanks very fucking much for making me feel even more shit about it.

Chicken pox vaccine isn't readily available unless you pay for it.

OP it sucks but hopefully you can make something of the holidays if he feels up for it? Maybe some den building in doors or craft activities. Easter hunt around the house perhaps. Sods law says by the time eldest is over it younger one will start. At least it gets it out the way!

@NeverAloneNeverAgain yeah I just had a little look becuse I thought I’ve definitely never been made aware of it. After being made to feel like a shit parent by PP.
Our garden is a no go area becuse we are doing it up, it’s currently a building site, so they can’t even play outside :( Luckily they got to play in their grandparents garden this morning for a bit (no one else around and they have immunity). So it’s gonna have to be indoor activities, such a shame with the lovely weather. I just feel so bad for DS!

I’m all for the vaccine but it’s not available on the NHS and many people don’t know about it as it’s only privately available. So perhaps an unnecessarily judgmental post?

He shouldn’t really go out till they have scabbed over.
could someone take the little one out for a bit because the possibility of them catching them in few days will be quite high

What unnecessary is the OP hoping other people will say that it's fine to take her highly contagious child to the park so that she can waltz out without a guilty conscience. The vaccine is readily available at Superdrug, Boots and other chemists, and has been for years. Costs around £140 which compared to unpaid leave in order to look after children is nothing, especially when it saves them from potentially serious chicken pox complications.

@sciaticafanatica Trying to keep them apart in the house is difficult, but yeah getting her out on her own for a bit would help. Luckily I have DH with me today and tomorrow, one of us can find something to do with her.
Dreading Tuesday onwards when it’s just me and them pair climbing the walls 😫

OP taking her infectious child out and mixing with others is a completely separate issue to the vaccine not being common knowledge. Both my kids are vaccinated but I only became aware it existed when I saw someone mention it in a WhatsApp group. OP has not failed in any way for not knowing that a vaccine not offered by the NHS exists.

The vaccine still isn't readily available or advertised adequately. I wasn't aware of it until my little one got chickenpox and then it was too late. Not everyone knows about it and it isn't provided on the NHS, so there's no need for PP to be sat on a high horse 🙄

However, you're being unreasonable to ask whether you could go out to infect children you don't know at the park? Why is it anyone else's problem your child has chicken pox. Stay home until it's gone like everyone else should.

My sympathies OP. My 11 year old is recovering from an operation so we have been stuck at home for the last 2.5 weeks. People keep saying how great it is that he won't have to miss much school but I've hated that we couldn't do anything over the school holidays.

im not going to take him to a play park and let him climb all over other children. Not what I said.
I was considering just being able to go for a walk, up the road, and into the park, a big open space, if it was quiet.
Literally just wondered out loud (well, on screen) if it was too risky or not. That is all. I feel fucking awful that his Easter break is ruined.

@LuckyMoonstone that sucks. I can relate to being stuck in in lovely weather, not going to parties and swimming lessons etc when DS had chicken pox. Then DD. Then they both had bronchitis.... I hope you're able to get out soon.

I'd also never heard of the CP vaccine until after the event, and it would have been hard to find the money then.

@elliejjtiny oh I’m sorry for you and DC as well.

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads thank you, I know this is something totally normal that happens to every other family but it’s just feels extra crap when it’s the holidays and I have to keep him trapped at home.

That's a shit attitude. We don't routinely vaccinate for CP in the UK so you have to pay to get it

@LuckyMoonstone If you have the funds you could get your youngest vaccinated and that might help prevent her developing CP as its supposed to help if given within a time period after exposure.

@dementedpixie I will look into it now I know it’s a thing but I don’t know how long it would take for her to get CP if DS has been contagious for about 3 days now

Incubation period is 2 weeks, with my 2 my eldest started getting spots, took 5 days to crusty over, then we had a 5 day gap before youngest spots started so you need to be careful with any social outings next week as although eldest will be better, your youngest will probably be contagious

It’s not just children but pregnant women and elderly along with anyone immunocompromised (on chemo or steroids).
It’s very unusual to not have heard of the vaccine or immunized against it.
Monthly on MN there’s a thread on the timing and local availability.
If your 1.5 yr old doesn’t catch it, certainly book the vaccine. Cheaper than missing days off work or having to cancel vacation plans.

@GildedRage I guess I don’t see those then, I don’t know anyone who has had the CP vaccine (or their kids) or any other parents that talk about it.
But I do now so 👍

@LuckyMoonstone the incubation period is 10-21 days. It was 15 days between my dd having it and ds coming out in spots

They are contagious for 1-2 days before spots appear and until they crust over which is normally about 5-7 days after