Boo isn’t going to pre-school again now until the new year. If you’re thinking, that’s early for them to break up, no, no, no, they break up on 20th December. I just don’t want her to go in again until after Christmas.
Why? Illnesses. They are absolutely rife. It seems that as soon as the colder weather hits, our home, and our plans take a germ-beating. In just the last few weeks she has had an awful vomiting bug, that saw her unable to keep anything down for 48 hours, and then last weekend she had a virus of some kind, as she was crying in pain, burning up, and sleeping on and off for days – this one she also passed on to Little Man. Wonderful. And, of course, that’s always the worry with these things. I hate seeing Boo in discomfort with them, but then there’s the knock-on effect for the whole family, as we all wait a few days to see if we’re going to go down with it, too. Inevitably, someone does. And these are in addition to the colds we’ve all had, as to be honest, they don’t offend me much, however bad the cold, as I can still function and look after everyone and though they may make us a bit miserable, they rarely make us insensible.
So, I’m keeping her at home. After a slow recovery from her latest virus (she’s still a bit quiet and cuddly over a week later, which isn’t like her at all!) we did attempt to go in this week, but she wasn’t up for it, and she’s never asked to come home before from there at drop-off time, so I didn’t argue it. The manager informed me that they have several different bugs doing the rounds, so I decided that no, she won’t go in and catch yet another. It is fortunate that I’m at home so I can do this, and it just seemed silly to send her and risk her (guarantee her) catching something else and it putting pay to our exciting festivities – we’ve a visit to Santa this weekend, Muppet Christmas Carol day next weekend, along with other play-dates and planned fun.
I’m happy I can do this, though at the back of my mind, I dread next year when she’ll be at school and I won’t have the option of keeping her at home. And they have attendance policies in place, which I’ve always been a little unsure of. Don’t get me wrong, she’ll go to school!, it’s just that there are rewards in place for full attendance, but if you’ve had a bug, you’re supposed to stay away for 48 hours as you’re still infectious – I see a conflict there. I know children often return sooner than they should because of this, or due to childcare arrangements, so it seems inevitable that the bug will keep spreading. I hate it.
What does everyone else find? Do they eventually build up more of an immunity? It seems that since Boo started there at the start of this year, we’ve all caught illness after illness. We’re nervous each time she comes home, in case she has another – that’s how bad it’s been the last few weeks! Or do you have any fabulous tips for building up better resistance against these germs, as I’d love to hear them – any and all suggestions welcome! I’d say, until this year, she’s always been hardy, but my, she’s taken something of a beating this year, poor little mite. So, I will keep her here, enjoy Christmas, and then send her back into the lion’s den in January….
I find that someone is always ill at Christmas. Hate this time of year for bugs x
It’s awful, isn’t it? Just hoping we’ll avoid the worst by keeping her home – we will see..!
Oh poor you! It’s awful when you’re little one is ill. But you’re right, they should build up immunity as they get older. My oldest (5) definitely has less coughs and colds then he used to. My middle child, now 3 was constantly ill last year, not really ill, just under the weather. And he had a really large lymph node in his neck which I was really worried about (over qualified hypercondriac!). Anyhow, to cut a long story short, he had epstein barr virus. Luckily this year it’s just the ‘routine’ bugs so far. And you’re right about keeping them away from other children if you don’t want them to get more bugs. Lovely soup of coughs, colds and sneezes at playgroup/nursery/school.
Hope she gets better soon.
It’s just one after another, and we’ve just had enough! Whilst I don’t ever want to wish it on others, it’s reassuring to know we’re not alone. Here’s hoping your family are all well this year 🙂
This is exactly what we’re going through… Busby has two sessions left at Nursery this year but every time she seems to get over something, she goes to Nursery and catches something else! Everyone keeps saying it’s normal, but I’m not sure how much more snot and unhappy baby I can take.
xxx
#PoCoLo
It might be normal, but that doesn’t mean we have to like it! It’s awful? Isn’t it? Hope Busby doesn’t get anything else x
I’ve always found this time of year the worst for bugs etc. We’ve had some corkers over the years, but sometimes it’s just down to luck which ones you pick up I think! I do believe their immunity improves over time and to be honest with you, even when they’re at school, if they are really I’ll I ‘d keep them off for as long as possible if you can. I’m like you, I’m lucky to be able to do that, but in the past I’ve sent eldest in when she wasn’t ready to go back and it’s made the illness last longer. And I’ve no idea whether it helps, but last year she started taking the children’s vitamins from Boots and everything has been OK (but I’m now tempting fate, so won’t go on anymore about them!)
It is just the worst time for germs, isn’t it? And yes, I definitely think going back early can make it last longer. Boo has Abidec daily, so had vitamins, but maybe the Boots ones are magical….?!
Aaagh! I feel your pain. I hate it when my kids get ill. They do build up resistance, but it takes time. All of my kids were at nursery two full days a week from 6 months, so they built up resistance early! My 7yo girl has just had 2 days off school with a virus, but my kids often get their 100% attendance (and I would NEVER break the 48 hour rule!). Good for you for taking this decision. When I hear there are bugs going round school I wish I could do the same!
Reassuring to know they’ll build up resistance…eventually! It’s been awful, and so yes, I made the decision and I feel like I can relax now! And it’s been lovely having her at home as we’ve so many festive things planned, were having fun and I do think she needs the rest and timeout. Hoping the new year will go better..!
my daughter was the same when she was younger anywhere new and she would spend months on and off being ill! she grew out of it in the end. I do hope Boo is feeling much better now x
Oh, please let Boo grow out of it soon! She’s definitely better off being at home for a bit – let her fully recover away from the risk of yet another bug!
They definitely do build up immunity, but the constant colds are a pain. I think we’ve been quite lucky so far, just the odd cold, chickenpox and a couple of bouts of the lovely winter vomiting virus! My boys were both in nursery full time from 6mo so I think we got a lot out of the way early on (other than chickenpox, which they both had a couple of years ago, the 7yo missed a week of school…). I worry that the wee girl will catch everything going once she starts at preschool when she’s three… Hope you stay bug free till Christmas xx #PoCoLo
We’ve got chicken pox out the way – they both had that this summer. Colds I can do, it’s the amount of vomiting bugs we’ve all had – it’s horrible! Hope her immunity is building with every one! Good wee girl gets on OK when she starts x
My kids used to get awful bugs every winter but in last two years seem to only get them very mildly. Maybe I’m taking the bugs from them – in the past I never was affected whereas now…aarg
Oh dear – you’re suffering? We all seem to get them all and they’re awful, aren’t they? Hoping her resistance is building and in the meantime, she can have a rest.
Each exposure builds immunity…but it’s not much fun when you’re in the midst of it 🙁 I’ve always kept my kids home to prevent spreading their sick germs to others, but I know not everyone is able to… good luck! #PoCoLo
I know, I realise I’m lucky to be able to do that. She just seems to have been hit with a barrage of illnesses since she started there. Hoping it’ll get better soon..!
It is a difficult time of year. It is awkward at school. They do harp on about good attendance, but sometimes a child needs to be off to recover fully or to stop the spread of the bug. I don’t think schools get it right and there are other factors at work like childcare.
Yes, that’s the problem I see. I’d rather she take an extra day or so and return perfectly well, than still be struggling with something. Luckily, I can do that with pre school, hence just keeping her off for a bit now.
I am not going to say anything for fear of tempting fate but Grace has been taking her vitamins regularly 🙂 Hope Boo feels much better soon. Thank you for linking to PoCoLo x
Thank you. Boo has daily vitamins, but they’re clearly not helping! Hope Grace continues to be well. Thanks for hosting x
Poor Boo, I know just how she feels! So lucky you can keep her off, when the bigs are do rife and you have the option I’d do it every time. Hope you all had a fab weekend xx #PoCoLo