Off topic...Help!!! Need advice about sick child.

[artmaker]

I need advice!!!

My coworker has had to be out of the office alot because her 3year old is sick...at least 2 if not 3 times a month, with various colds and infections. Is this normal? My boss says it's not, and is fed up with my coworker's absences. She's an excellent employee, a good friend, and I don't want her to lose her job Having adult children, I can't remember and have no idea what is normal. The child goes to daycare, where I imagine she gets many of the infections. Is 2-3 times a month normal? What do you do when your children are sick? How do you cope at work? How is it handled? Do you have any suggestions? I don't have any answers, and am hoping you all might have suggestions

 

[ZT27]

Hi,
You might want to post this in the Open Discussion forum. You might get more advice from there. Also, IMO I do not think that is normal. Something is going on here. Either the child has a very low immune system due to nutrition or whatnot, I would be suspicious. Also, if I were your boss, I'd bring her in and have a very frank discussion. The child could be abused by the father. Who knows? Only the people at home know what's really going on. I'd take this question to the Open Discussion anyway. People will reply faster. I hope everything works out well.

Lisa

 

[kristi]

My DS will be 3 in June. He has went to daycare ever since he was 8 weeks old. For the first year, mainly in the winter, he was sick maybe 4 or 5 times, about once a month. However this year he has not been sick at all. His immune system has built up quite a tolerance. However, my Sales Manager, who kids have been going for the same amount of time has to pick his son up at least once every 1 1/2 months due to illness, again mainly during the winter months.

Has the child been in daycare for years or only started going recently? If is it only recently then maybe the child's immune system has not built up enough tolerance yet to germs. Also, another factor is the cleanliness of the daycare facility. 2-3 times per month is a lot to be sick. There might be other issues that are creating the problem like malnourishment, even if the child eats frequently maybe the right nutrients are not there. I think I would check with the daycare about the other children and see if they are sick as often too. If so then it is probably the facility.

When my child is sick I am the one to pick him up. DH works too far away and it is very hard for him to get away from work. My work is more understanding if I have to leave, but I've never had to leave that often.

Sorry I can't help you more. I think I answered your questions.

 

[purple_magada]

Hi. Kristi took the words right out of my mouth. My son is in daycare and during cold season it is not uncommon for me to miss work. Because the center that he goes to is state regulated, a child that has a fever of 101 or higher is sent home, then cannot return until 24 hours have passed. The same goes for throwing up (viral related). My son got pink eye and he was not allowed back in daycare for 24 hours and had to have a written note from the doctor. He got strep throat this year and I had to keep him home 3 days. All this is required by the State of Pa.

I also am the one that leaves work vs. my husband. I have sick time that I can use where he does not.

 

[kristi]

My daycare has the same 24 hour policy regarding sick children, except it has to be 24 hours after the symptoms subside, not when you pick them up from school. Just wanted to clarify.

When the flu was rampit here and making it rounds through the daycare, the daycare went to great lengths to keep it from spreading. They disinfected daily, everything from toys to tables. It would take at least an hour to do each room. I'm glad to say that my DS never got it and neither did the majority of the kids due to their efforts. Unfortunately I don't think all daycares are like that. That is why I mentioned that the daycare may be to blame.

 

[dlavie]

If her child is diagnosed with a chronic illness maybe the Family Medical Leave Act can protect her. Do you work for a large firm?

Dave