To send my child into school or not

[choccyfountain]

my daughter has was sent home from school at lunchtime today due to her being unwell. the school asked if she'd been sick at home in which she said yes but she hadn't been so the school advised that she be off for 48 hours. from what I've asked of my daughter she said she had a bit of tummy ache and needed to sorry for the tmi but go for a poo. she has had a fair bit of flatulence and trips to the toilet since she's been home but no diarrhea and no sickness. otherwise she's very well. maybe too well (climbing everywhere, singing, dancing).

In this case I'd have done as the school advised and kept her off regardless anyway but she has a Christmas Party at school tomorrow for her last day which she's been very much looking forward to and I've got a lot of last minute things to do and could appreciate the last couple of hours while she's at school before she's off for a break and I don't believe her to be ill anymore.

what should I do send her to school and explain that since she's been home yesterday she's been very much well?

If she’s had several trips to the toilet and tummy ache even if that’s gone it does sound like something could be brewing.

if you send her in you risk making others ill for Christmas so I wouldn’t

She lied about being sick, presumably so she’d get sent home. So no, she doesn’t go to the party.

That's a fair take, thank you!

Personally, I’d be very annoyed she told school she’d been sick at home. If she hasn’t vomitted, no diarrhoea & no temperature by tomorrow morning I’d send her in.

Hmm true I don't know if she'd have done it to try come home though she very much loves to go to school and they've been doing lots of christmas things the past couple of days that she's loved doing I think it might've just been the case of her just agreeing I asked her why she said yes when they asked her if she asked and she said she doesn't know she couldn't hear them properly because she was in the playground at the time and when we left she was begging to go back x

Yeah I was a bit confused to be honest I've noticed I haven't mentioned she's only 4 and in reception though I don't think she knew or heard what she was agreeing to at the time! I just replied to another commenter which might clear some confusion of that part of my post!! But thank you for your reply and fairness! x

Oh If she’s only four it’s more likely that she didn’t under what she was being asked. So that does change things.

Haha yes my mistake I should've put in the post I'm a bit new to this forum so I'm unsure how to edit for other people that may come on here to advise!

i genuinely think she didn't understand what was being asked or what she was answering! I told the school that she hadn't been sick as far as I'd have known and she would've told me and been upset if she had been but they said because she says she has they have to go off that and advise she doesn't return tomorrow. she did eat a fair bit of chocolate that she'd accumulated from a christmas cards that we'd unopened for a long time from children in her class so I think that's what might've caused her tummy to go funny. she's not had a temp, no sickness she's been trying on the toilet but no diarrhea or anything and she's as right as gold and begging to go back tomorrow for the party. I just don't want to seem as though I'm undermining the school! X

If that’s what the school has said I assume they will ask you to take her home if you take her in tomorrow.

They are probably depressingly used to parents sending in children who have actually vomited, and just apply a blanket rule rather than judging which child and which parent is lying.

I think she’ll be sent straight home if you take her in so I’d just plan on keeping her home and find something fun to do with her. Appreciate it’s not ideal but I can’t see a way round it (particularly with her regular toilet trips - they’ll notice that straight away!)

Yes that's what I think they'll do which they have every right to honestly I think they get it all the time they just have to do what they're advised to do by their schools policies!

I just feel very sad she won't be able to partake in the party she's been looking forward to so I'm torn between two because I know she is well but I think too much damage has already been done with her agreeing to being poorly and being sent home and I don't want to take her in and be turned away from the school as ignoring their guidance.

I've told her that Christmas is next week anyway and she does have a Christmas party to attend in a few days so I know she'll forget all about the school one anyway.

I just think it's a shame for her to miss out :(( x

That’s a difficult one. I’ve worked in a school and I’d usually say to keep her off.
Having said that, she hasn’t been sick or had an upset stomach or high temperature as of yet.
However, if the school have told you to keep her off, they might take a pretty dim view of you sending her in. It’s right on top of Christmas and they wouldn’t want other children, themselves, or their children being ill for Christmas in case she is brewing something.

This is very fair! Thank you I think it's probably wise and from all the very kind replies on here it's probably the just thing to do and just follow the school and keep her off! x

Yes very fair I think if anything it wouldn't be very impressionable for me to take her in and ignore their guidance and although I do know my child is very well I wouldn't want them to assume I'm sugarcoating it and potentially making others so poorly nearly christmas that's not what I'd want at all! These replies have really helped me make up the battle in my mind so thank you! x

You sound like a lovely thoughtful mum. You’d be surprised at how many children are sent in and then tell us they were sick in the night, or were sent home during the day clearly unwell and sent back the next day to tell us they’d dosed up on Calpol or whatever.
It’s a shame for your daughter but I think you’re making the right choice.

Bless you that's very kind! Gosh I can only imagine! If my daughter was genuinely unwell I couldn't fathom taking her into school it can't be very pleasant for her and the knock on effect if other children are poorly and their families are in the same predicament. I'd rather her miss out on a few days than prolong the illness because she hasn't rested and fought it off! Of course in this case it's very unfortunate the situation that's occurred but I think it's honestly best I just follow as they've advised and keep the respect that's there with the school! I'll just take her mind off it and I'm sure it'll all be forgotten about on Christmas Day and in two weeks time when she returns ☺️ x

i agree that they'll just ask you to take her back home.
which I think would be more upsetting, being dressed for her party then having to leave.

find something fun to do if she's well.

If she’s already said she’s been sick they won’t want her to attend tomorrow. If you then say she hasn’t actually been sick they will think you’re lying.

aye yes definitely that's what I'm thinking because even though I know I'm not and that she is genuinely well I too on the other foot if I was them would be doubting it so I'm not gonna bother with the hassle and lose the respect between the school and I and just keep her off x

I think find something fun and festive to do with her as it doesn’t sound like you’ll be at work - decorate cookies and then pop in a Christmas music and get some stuff done.

Currently off on maternity leave with a 5 month old haha so very fortunate at the mo to have time with my babies over the festive period especially! oh deffo I'll have to do something christmassey with her to make up for it! ☺️x