Earlier this week, I was volunteering at lunchtime in my daughter’s Kindergarten class. The boy sitting next to my daughter (let’s call him Hurl) was not feeling well. Just before leaving for the teachers’ lounge, Mrs. Teacher told me that if Hurl wanted to, he could go get her in the lounge or go to the office and call his mother to go home.
A few minutes later, Hurl was bent over in his chair, holding his stomach. He was clearly sick. He wasn’t talking and his face looked pale green. When I asked if I could help, he said that he was going to throw up and needed to go home. I sent him to the office to call his mother and go home sick.
A few minutes later, Hurl walked back in and sat down. I asked if one of his parents was coming to get him and he said “No, my Mommy said to eat my Jello and then I’ll feel better.” So he sat there for a while, just holding his spoon, too sick to want a bite of Jello. I finally took him to the teachers’ lounge and let Mrs. Teacher know what was happening. She took Hurl to the office to call and tell the mother to pick up her son immediately.
That night, my daughter became sick. Exorcist-projectile-vomiting sick. Wretching-all-night-when-there’s-nothing-left-in-her-stomach sick. Crying and throwing up all night without a minute of sleep. The next morning, she sobbed when I told her she’d have to miss school. The class was starting a book fair, having treasure box reward day and it was her day to go to computers (a reward for being good all week). She cried and begged, trying to convince me she was feeling better, but I told her it wouldn’t be fair to the other kids in her class if she went and spread the germs.
So my daughter missed the amazing day of school and was sick for part of the weekend. Finally, after going more than 24 hours without any symptoms, she returned to school today.
The book fair is still going on, so I swung by the school to help while the class had their turn to shop. Hurl was there, talking to their classmates and running around with several of the boys.
After picking out some books with my kids, I got in line to pay. Hurl walked by and I told him I was glad that he was feeling better. He said he was not better. He was still throwing up some and was “out” sick. As my daughter’s class lined up to head back to their classroom, the woman in front of me called out to Mrs. Teacher. She told Mrs. Teacher that her son still wouldn’t be in school the next day, because he was still really sick. Realizing that the lady in front of me was Mrs. Just-Eat-Your-Jello, I tried to think of something to say. But before I could figure out a nice way to flip out on her ask about Hurl’s sickness, she grabbed Hurl and walked away, not even noticing the bug eye I was giving.
So, Lady? Not cool. You left your poor kid in school the other day when you knew he was sick. My daughter and four other children caught a stomach bug and were out sick the next day, missing one of the most exciting days planned for this year. You then brought your son BACK to the book fair and let him run around with the other kids, while he was still very sick.
Why on earth would this be OK? Our school policy clearly states a child has to be completely better for at least 24 hours before coming back to school. Playing with other children in a tiny classroom for almost an hour is, in my opinion, COMING BACK TO SCHOOL. I know now (from another not-too-happy mom) that you are a stay-at-home-mom, so work isn’t even an excuse. Your schedule, your child, your day is NOT more important than mine or anyone else’s.
So there. Take that. An internet-smack-down you know nothing about.
But I feel better. : )
.
I hear you. I understand some parents need to work but for the sake of not only your child but everyone else make sure they get better first and then send them back! I have a kindergardener as well. Following you from the Green blog hop. Stop by at
http://www.RaisingGreenRichmondKids.com
This made me smile. I love internet rants, it makes you feel so much better. People just don’t care anymore, common courtesy has died.
I really don’t understand people. – Jello, really? And then to send him to school. Poor little thing. – I wonder how many kids will be out with this before it’s over.
ARGH! It frustrates me when people come to work with fevers and snot running down their noses too. See you got me going now…
A-Z Fellow Challenger
I hold my tongue too much in situations like that. I dont want to be the mom the kids talk about that flipped out on someone. I understand your anger though. Twice last year, my son got lice from kids at school and the first time they had sent the girl home and actually allowed her back the very next day! Following from the HOP and it would be great if you could follow me back at http://hardtimesmom.blogspot.com.
I have a problem with parents that send their kids to school sick – especially one so obviously sick…poor Hurl! And especially when they infect other kids in class, too. So not cool!
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That sh*t drives me up the wall. We used to have that issue at our daycare. The parents didn’t want to miss work so they just sent their kid in and hoped he wouldn’t be sent home. It’s really sad that the mom did that to their child. Granted I might have been irritated that I would have to leave but I wouldn’t refuse to get them and take care of my kid. Just awful!
New follower from Social Parade Friday.
lol @ your story – well, the end part. I don’t understand why parents can’t keep their kids home when they are sick! Frustrating! I know how bad I feel when I’m sick and not in the mood to do anything, why wouldn’t a child feel the same way or worse since they are smaller! 🙁
She totally deserved that internet smack down!
So sad your daughter missed her exciting day at school. Maybe Hurl’s mother a some reason for this, probably not. Poor Hurl.
This just aggravates the hell out of me. Unfortunately, it happens all of the time. I used to work at a school and my husband still teaches. There are many parents that consider school as their babysitter. They don’t care how sick their child is or how much they inconvenience others.
I’m following you from the blog hop, I hope you follow me back 🙂 @ http://www.LetsStartSavingNow.com
I just love that you named him “Hurl”.
Hi,
Coming to you from the blog hop. I am happy to be your newest follower. You can follow me back at http://www.measuredbytheheart.blogspot.com
Thanks
Connie
That drove me nuts as a teacher, it amazed me what some people would send their kids to school with.
Thanks for joining Feed Me Friday! I am following you back and subscribing to your email. Have a great weekend and hope you join us again next week!
Wow! That is completely ridiculous!!! Apparently not one of those people who has much regard for others.
We had a similar incidence recently where a child was dropped off at our house (we do a babysitting co-op with 7 kids) hacking up a storm. Said child had been sick for about 3 weeks and was said to have a lingering cough. I get an email yesterday from one of the parents in the co-op (who’s child was also at our house that night) informing us that her son has come down with pneumonia. Shortly thereafter I received another email from said child’s mother saying the lingering cough is pneumonia…my 13 month old has had a very bad cold since two days after that fateful night and we’re hoping he won’t get pneumonia.
All that aside, I’m following and subscribing back. Thanks so much for joining us for Feed Me Friday. I hope you’re able to join us again next week.
New follower from blog hop – my blog is at http://practialliving.blogspot.com/
I completely agree and applaud you for not chasing her down to have your say. Before we sold our business, we had our daughter in day care for about 3 months. I spent more time at the doctor and the pharmacy than I ever have in her 3 years on this earth. If she was sick, we kept her home, but it was clear that too many other mothers did not do the same. (P.S. Following you back from the Blog Hop)
When I read the part about the Jell-O, I thought maybe she couldn’t leave work (but should have anyway). The I read that she’s a SAHM? That chaps my hide! If I have to leave work to get one of my boys, I will even though it will earn my an “occurrence”. I’ve called out because one of my boys is sick even though I will earn an occurrence. Is she a trophy wife, too?
Wow. That is horrible! Poor kid, and shame on his mom! I used to work at a day care center, and we had many stay-at-home-moms who would drop their kids off at daycare. And not just for a few hours for socialization, but all.day.long! It was so sad and maddening! I am a stay-at-home-mom and would never dream of doing that!
Anyway, glad your daughter is better now. Maybe next time the school calls you to come pick her up when she is sick, tell her to go cough on Hurl’s backpack a bit first…? 😉
New follower from Feed me Friday! Would love a follow back! Have a great weekend!
Well shoot! I was going to say maybe she didn’t have a sitter (still not a good reason!) but I guess that isn’t the case. What a wonderful part of the community! I hope someone lets her know how rude and nasty that is!