Send Kids to School or No??

Updated on October 21, 2011
A.S. asks from Glendora, CA
12 answers

My 6 and 7 year old have been battling a cough which seems to have gotten worse instead of better, I took my daughter to the dr on weds because she spiked a fever and she was diagnosed with bronchitis, ear infection and sinus infection.. She has been on antibiotic for a little over a day... I think my sons is now taking the same route because he suddenly has a headache and snot although he has no fever. They are not acting like they "feel" sick but the coughing fits are super frequent and sound horrible. My daughter has already missed 2 days of school, do I send them anyway because they are not acting sick or just keep them home? Today is a reduced day anyway but still...

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.T.

answers from Albuquerque on

They *are* acting sick... they're coughing frequently and sound horrible. Those are signs of sickness. So yeah, I'd keep them both home today and hope they're back to normal on Monday.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.K.

answers from Sacramento on

I'd keep them home. There's a different level of activity at school and sending them with coughing fits won't be good for them or any of the kids in the class. It's Friday... I'd give them the weekend to recover before sending them back.

Tis the seaon :) Sorry your kids are sick...

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.T.

answers from New York on

You know your kids best. One of my kids "feels deathly ill" all the time so if she stayed home everytime she coughed she'd miss 1/2 of the school year. My son on the other hand always managed to roll with it - and is almost never sick - so when he appears sick I'll keep him home.

For fevers or throwing-up I always keep them home for 24 hours after. If they required antibiotics then 48 hours to allow thier body to heal. But if they are feeling well, even if they're coughing (not so much to interfere with theirs or other's learning) I'd send them to school.

You know your kids - if their color is off, if they are dragging and not playing it up in order to stay home - then keep them home. They're still youn - at age 6 & 7 they still take things slowly in the classroom so if they miss a day or two they can catch up and they're still learningi things that you can help them catch up with. They're still little and sho uld be able to cuddle up on the couch with a pillow and blanket when they don't feel good.

My daughter's in HS and takes trig, chemistry & engineering so a day off school is tough and I can't help her catch up anymore! Enjoy these days while you can!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I would probably keep them home O. more day that will give the weekend to start feeling better.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.G.

answers from Dallas on

Since it's a reduced day and friday, I think I'd keep them home. Rest will help and because of the timing, you have that extra recovery time of the weekend. Plus if they're coughing loudly and frequently, it's tough to concentrate for them and everyone. If they can stay home, why not.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.K.

answers from Milwaukee on

I would keep them home. You wouldn't want to risk getting other kids sick, who might in turn end up getting their baby siblings sick. Sick babies are no fun. :(

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.W.

answers from Seattle on

I would keep them home....
If it was a minor cough or a sniffle, then send them for sure. But Coughing fits would constitute staying home in my mind.
It is only a half day. Let them have the weekend to feel better.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

My gut says to keep them home. Since its a short day anyway, they are on meds, and have no fever, I would send them. Call the school and ask. Even showing up and getting sent home counts. if that makes sense.

My son gets asthma attacks where he coughs like every 2 mins. even with his inhaler. We keep an eye on him and as he gets worse and the coughing gets closer we keep him home. Finally, after the 3rd attack in 3 months, when he'd been home for 2 days, the school called and said, please as long as he doesn't have a fever send him to school. We know you're trying to help, but send him and if we prefer he be home, we'll call you. He missed a total of 9 days last year because of his asthma. One more missed day and he would've been up for retention...
Just a thought.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.N.

answers from Seattle on

I'd keep them home. Better to take a couple more days to let them rest and get well then to relapse later. :0)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

There is no reason to keep them out, they are not contagious at this point, plus bronchitis isn't contagious most of the time anyway. Send some cough drops with them and give them something for cough right before they go in the building, then call at noon to see how they are doing, they could have more meds if it's a 4 hour one, then right after school more meds if it's appropriate. Coughing helps the goo get out and away but it can become painful and irritating to their little bodies.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.A.

answers from Chicago on

I know this is after school time has started. Give them the opportunity to get this done. Stay home, lots of fluids and rest, the whole weekend. Let them really and truly recover instead of heading from one illness to another. Also for our school you must be on antibiotics 48 hours before returning if you have a potentially contagious illness. They won't miss that much work at age 6 and 7, so let them be kids and coddle them a bit. There will be plenty of time as they get older to tell them to suck it up and go.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions