should I take DD out of childcare so we can both go back to being well and not constantly ill?

[PeppyPiggy]

DD is 2 and a half

Recently I've been trying to figure out why life has been so utterly crap for us since January, it's like the turning point from bliss into a slog. All we do is take it in turns to be ill, we are both constantly tired and either vomit-y or flu-y.

I've been studying different courses since DD was born and never had a problem with carrying out my studies but since January I've been doing a degree and constantly struggling with it because of the back and forth illnesses and constant tiredness. I decided to put DD into childcare before starting the degree course because I was entitled to free hours and thought why not ...I'm now considering the fact that DD being in childcare is the only thing that has changed since january and must surely be the reason we are constantly fatigued with sickness?

I used to have no problems with my other courses pre January, I would just study in the evening. Now it feels that I'm usually exhausted and going to bed after putting DD to bed... DD doesn't seem that fussed about whether she goes to childcare or not... Should I just take her out of it so that we can return to being well and getting on with things? A few people are advising me to continue with childcare and saying that the sickness is a common phase when kids start nursery and that this is actually good for her... I'm worried about how my degree course is going as I am now behind..

I would agree that it's good for her immune system though it probably doesn't feel that way now! It is a common problem when they start nursery.
HAve you got a carbon monoxide alarm?

Your dd going to nursery means she will come into contact with other snotty sicky children it's normal and hopefully after a while should settle down. We moved to a new place and were not familiar with all the local bugs so got sick more than usual in the first year. Plenty of people we spoke to found the same. In the meantime make sure you're looking after yourself eating well, bit of exercise, plenty of water... Take some vitamins? See a doctor for some advice? There doesn't seem to be any need to take her out of nursery over this she'd probably just delay bringing home the bugs until she started school.

I'd hang in there. I had this and agree it was hideous.

She's got to be exposed to other children at some point. If you take her out now you will effectively have to start again as it were with her (and your!) immunity when she starts school or preschool.

Unless you home school, she’ll go through this sickly phase when she starts school. It will happen one way or the other. Illness from January to June sounds extreme though. As pp, ensure you are looking after yourself, eating, sleeping and exercising well too.

I understand the point about immunity. I'm at a point in my current module where I'm so far behind that I'm not sure I can catch up at this rate at all without me and DD both getting on track..

DD did 6 months in preschool. She had 4 ear infections, chicken pox, tonsillitis, slapped cheek, 2 sickness bugs and many generic coughs and colds. It was constant. It did mean however, that once at school she was in rude health.

Me and DD eat well, rarely eat processed food at all. I base most of our meals around veg and an oily fish. her favourite food is Salmon and asparagus.. I give her sambucol.. we live in between a park and a beach so we get to choose everyday between the two and get plenty of vitamin D and exercise..

My friend who comes with me to pick up DD pointed out to me that even the older kids at DD's childcare who've been there the whole time constantly look like "they're from a calpol advert"

This sounds completely crazy but one night I was up nursing my sick DD and a thought passed my mind that the minder was making the kids sick purposefully, she always seems so happy when the kids are off sick. I know that's nuts!!! but it is weird how they are all of them just all always sick

My dd was like this at nursery it was hideous for everyone & my son less so but we had been exposed to most things things by the time they went to school.

I think it helps their immunity but ti does not stop them getting the usual lurgy going on in their classes but their recovery seems quicker.

I have to be honest that this is just part and parcel of parenting, ime anyway, constantly knackered any during the winter something on the brew

Mine are secondary and last yr of
Primary now and illness is less awful for everyone. I think the exhaustion of young kids compounded things for me.

Do what is best for you! You know what that is

Apologies for auto correct fat phone fingers

If you're genuinely concerned about the welfare of your child at the nursery then maybe you could ask to look around? Or see what other nursery options there are. Wish you strength anyway :)

Does she enjoy it? Do you like and trust the staff? Do you need time without her there in the day?

If she doesn’t need to go and you’re not sure you or her really love it, I see no harm in taking her out and trying to create a really calm healthy routine for everyone at home.

It is utterly miserable being ill; I totally understand the urge to take her out. I guess you just need to consider how your work will work (there’s no guarantee you’ll all be healthier), whether she’ll be able to go back to childcare if needed, what your days will look like etc.

I had a very similar run when my CD started in childcare. It was hideous. Included chicken pox twice in 2 years, slap cheek, hand foot and mouth and those are just the ones with names! At one point she was out for 6 weeks and it was incredibly hard to juggle with work. But she's hardly had a day off since she's been at school and i think her immune system was being built very fast and thoroughly! If childcare works for you in other ways I'd stick with it, keep the faith, it does get better!

I think this is very common. If you suck it up now you won't have to go through it later. It is good for your DC's immune system apparently!

Can anyone say how long this usually lasts for?

It will happen eventually no matter whether you pull her out. Presumably you’ll need childcare to complete your studies so unavoidable really. The first two winters were rough November to May (mine started at 9 months so might be easier for a 2 year old though). After that we barely got ill. Even her first year in school was fine.

The best thing I did was to take vitamin c and zinc every day and then echinacea daily as soon as she seemed to get even a little sniffle. That helped a lot, so even if she was sick, I felt fine. I was commuting 6 hours a day several days a week with a 5am start many days and doing 3 hour lectures (like I’m a lecturer) so could not get sick!! It made it manageable and it did get better.

Personally I would push through unless you have family who can provide the same for free.