She Has a Cold But...

I try to keep mine home when they have colds... mainly cause I can't stand passing on the germs. But also because it bothers me when mine are exposed to others who just don't want to keep theirs home. You see I have 3 with ashma & when they get colds it means that they may end up in the ER if momma can't keep them under control at home with inhalers or the nebulizer - so any cold for us can end up a hospital visit or stay! And I don't want to be selfish and put any other parent through what I go through here - just because being home in the winter is h*** o* me or them.

So, yes - taking her out to somewhere you know will be a bunch of kids and esposing all of them to what ever you daughter has would be selfish!

Simple colds don't bother me. If she has a fever or if snot is pouring out of her nose, then I'd keep her home. Otherwise, take her and have fun!

I guaranty your daughter will not be the only one there with a cold-and that someone was there three days ago with a cold and that the virus germs are still lingering on just about every surface at the playground. Take some hand sanitizer and use it frequently.

home, home, home....not only are you thinking of "others", but you are also providing protection for your daughter. If she has a cold, then her immunity is down. She does not need to be exposed to more germs. :)

& yes, you know the answer!

& as for being out of ideas: make a tent, let her campout in the living room. Gear all activities & foods towards this theme. You could also do a Princess Day. A Tea Party Day.....lots of ideas/options without leaving the house!

OR bundle up & take a ride. Do a Scavenger Hunt....let her find 3 McDonalds, 1 WalMart, 5 gas stations, 2 buses, 3 cows, etc. Drive-thru a fast food place & get her a treat. Again, lots of options!

EDIT (after the SWH): okay, this is crazy! Either you're "in" or you're "out". "In" means you stay home or in your car....& you're not exposing your daughter nor anyone else. "Out" is "out" whether it's the playground or a store....good grief! If you're around other people, you're still exposing your daughter/others....regardless of the age of those others! For example, my DH is a diabetic heart patient....he wouldn't enjoy meeting your daughter! Nor would I....I battle asthma - a simple cold immediately turns into bronchitis for me! aaaargh

oooh man...

I know there will be or have been other sick kids there. We all know they don't go through and wash 'em down every day...paahlease. so you know there are germs already there...

Is she running a fever? Is she acting normally with the exception of a runny nose? If she is running a fever - I say stay home. If she has a runny nose and otherwise fine? go. remind her to wash her hands frequently. Take hand sanitizer.

If your gut is saying stay home - stay home. Follow your mama instincts they are rarely wrong.

Everyone has a cold or at least one floating somewhere around their lives. If she is up to it go to the playground.

When my kids were younger it was stupid, I would never bring my kids where they would infect people but then the minute they were better I would take them out and everyone else would infect them. I know it sounds awful but when no one else cares about your kids why the heck should you care about theirs.

Can you tell I am crabby because someone at work gave me a cold and now I am heading back home cause I just don't want to be here!

As long as there is no fever and her nose isn't pouring snot everywhere, go.
Once the fever is gone, she's not contagious...
LBC

This is the way I see if. If she is sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, and
obviously miserable, I would not go. If it is third day into a cold with maybe
a cough left over, she can join all the other kids. Let's face it any indoor
playground is like a science experiment lol. I am sure there are plenty other
little ones with runny noses etc. They seem to have them all winter. If
everyone stayed home because of the runny noses etc. the mental hospitals would be full of mothers, grandmothers and others that care for
these little petri dishes. Must always keep a sense of humor.

Stay home and do a some arts and crafts, or snuggle up and watch a movie.

I feel your frusteration for wanting to get out but as a parent of a little one I would be pretty pissed if my child got a cold from someone elses neglectful parenting. Also I doubt if your child is sick that she needs to be out running around - spend the day resting so that she gets better faster
Good Luck

Depends on the cold. If it's very minor, I'd consider it. But if it hasn't been minor, I keep my kid away - both for her sake (new germs when her system is down) and everyone else. We actually had the same discussion yesterday, and opted to keep DD home. DD is feeling much more energetic but I think the indoor play area would also wear her out when she's not quite well.

Well, it depends on how sick she is. If she's no longer contagious and is just a little snuffly, then sure - take her. But if she's still visibly sick and is going to cough or sneeze on other kids, then no. That would just be selfish and yeah, all the other parents would be rightfully annoyed. (sorry!)