A few nights ago, my son, Jake, was up all night sneezing and blowing his nose. His eyes were watery, and his throat felt scratchy. When morning came, he looked exhausted but insisted he was fine and could go to school. While he likely could have muddled through, I decided to keep him home instead. He stayed hydrated, munched on vitamin C, and went through a mountain of tissues to manage the flood of mucus.
His appetite was surprising; we ended up hitting the drive-thru because he was craving fries and nuggets like never before. By midday, I could see him starting to perk up again.
Indeed, it was a quick recovery, but I knew I had made the right choice by keeping him at home. Parents often have to decide to keep their kids home even when there are no fever, aches, or chills present. Our children don’t need to be bedridden to miss out on school, events, or gatherings; sometimes, our instincts tell us otherwise.
A Lesson Learned the Hard Way
I learned this the hard way. Once, I sent my daughter, Mia, to school with a cold and a slight headache. She wasn’t her usual bouncy self, but she managed to eat a couple of granola bars, so off I sent her, despite my nagging doubts. By the end of the day, she was drained, with glassy eyes. That night, she developed a fever that escalated the next day, leading to a doctor’s visit where we discovered she had pneumonia. I should have kept her home—not just for her sake, but also for the health of her classmates and teachers.
There was another time when Mia woke up with a sore throat but seemed fine for a couple of days. We continued with our normal routine, only for her to end up collapsing in exhaustion each evening. Eventually, she was diagnosed with strep throat.
Navigating Colds and Contagion
Navigating colds can be tricky, but I’ve sent my kids off to school before, only to have the whole family stuck at home for a week when their health took a downturn. I’ve seen how quickly germs can spread, and now I know when it’s best to keep my children home. Yes, they might still catch something, but I can at least make them comfortable and reduce the likelihood of spreading it further.
We’ve attended family functions where one of my kids unknowingly spread their viral cold to nearly everyone there. So, yes, lesson learned. Kids are like little germ magnets, spreading illness faster than you can say “sneeze.” They forget to cover their mouths and often wipe their noses only to touch food and toys. It’s a gross reality of childhood.
Being Mindful of Exposure
While we can’t always predict when a minor sniffle will escalate into something contagious, we can be mindful of who we expose our sick kids to. Some children may cope better with a cold, but others with weakened immune systems might not bounce back as easily. It’s vital to gauge when it’s appropriate to venture out and when to stay home.
A day of rest, some comforting chicken soup, and plenty of fluids can work wonders to get a child back on their feet. I get that not every parent can manage to stay home with their child during a cold, but I prioritize it whenever possible. It’s simply not worth the risk of sending them to school when resting is an option. More often than not, sending them out only results in them getting sicker and not being able to concentrate on their studies anyway.
Quality Time and Recovery
I’ll continue to keep my kids at home to help them recover when I can. This way, we can contain our germs and enjoy some quality bonding time, even amidst the hand-washing and disinfecting. There’s a certain comfort in being there for them when they’re under the weather, and I know they’ll remember the care they received.
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In Summary
Trusting your instincts about your child’s health is crucial. Keeping them home when they’re under the weather not only aids their recovery but also protects others around them.