This has been interesting. Thanks for the comments so far. Feel free to keep them coming. Last night after reading what you had to say and talking to my mother-in-law on the phone I thought, wow, I must be blowing this out of proportion. I had no idea most kids usually have runny noses. I think allergies are different though. I get allergies. Whenever we go to the Tri-Cities to visit Jared's family in the spring or summer I'm sneezing and sniffling. So allergies, teething, and runny nose from playing outside when it's cold are definitely different. I don't see that as sick. It's the always dripping, thick yellow and green snot and hacking flemmy coughs that bother me. And gross me out.
So as I said, last night I thought maybe I was blowing this out of proportion. But then there was Emery up several times during the night, stuffy, struggling to breathe, fussy, not wanting to nurse, not wanting her binkie, and not wanting to go back to sleep. Then there was Ryan, waking up extra early this morning because he was couging so hard he couldn't sleep. THEY WERE FINE YESTERDAY, before the sick kids came. And so today I'm back to thinking maybe this isn't me blowing it out of proportion.
So this morning when they brought the kids I told the parents--whose daughter was standing in the doorway with a huge blob of yellow coming out her nose--that I would take them today (I have a hard time saying no to people, can you tell?), but that if they bring them sick again I may have to ask them to find someone else to watch their kids for the health of my own kids. I also mentioned that it cuts out my profit if they bring their kids sick and then I have to take my kids to the doctor. It didn't quite go as well as I rehearsed (they were running late and in a hurry to get to work), but hopefully I got the message across.
Last night my MIL made a good point. She said, if you are feeling resentful, then something needs to change. You will look like the bad guy because you are the one that does the confronting, but they should know not to bring sick kids.
Sick and Tired
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Hmmmm, now I think I get the clearer picture of what you were asking. I see your point. I think though, this is a tough one. If they are sick ALL the time, sick not allergies, you may want to seek out different kids to watch. If your kids are "miserable sick" by catching colds from others, you may want to tell them to keep them home. But, after going through a round of colds with my babysitting kids, I figured that was part of life. Everyone's fine now. I guess I'd measure it on "misery." If kids are miserable, their or yours, everyone needs to be home with their own mothers. I just don't think wiping noses is that big of a deal, I guess. Mixed with coughing, fever, misery, is a whole other story. This may be something to pray about. You don't want to lose a great job if it's you with the problem. If you aren't the problem in the situation, the Lord will prompt you on how to handle it and still keep friends.
I agree with Amber. What your kids caught (and what the other kids had) doesn't sound just like a cold, it sounds more "miserable" like Amber said. Send em home. You're the babysitter, but not the parent. I had to take a whole week off last November because MY kids were sick (either a BAD cold or the flu) and I told Jill, I'm sorry, but you as a mother should understand that as a mother, I need to take care of my kids first - they need me now and I don't have the time to watch Venice. (that's when we had the big talk about her finding a backup!) I felt SO GUILTY because Jill had to stay home and miss work when it wasn't even her kid's fault, but that happens. Be honest with the parents - sounds like you aleady talked about not taking them sick, mention too that if they went to a "real" daycare they wouldn't take them anyway! It's their responsibility. Good luck - and I hope your kiddos get well soon!
So sorry to hear about the sick troubles. I am the nursery leader in our ward, and I am having a hard time with that issue as well (so I can only imagine how hard it must be when it's your business.) I think that a clear runny nose it one thing, but as others have said, when your own kids are up sick in the night and miserable, that's a problem. I don't really have much advice on how to handle the situation, but just know you've gotta do what is going to make you feel most comfortable.
I think you are tring to be a good mommy and keep your kids healthy. You know what is best for your kids and you need to keep them your priority. Never feel bad or apologize for trying to do what is best for your kids. Good Luck!
Hey Pam! We are having a bloggers party in a couple of weeks here in SLC. Will you come? Also, if you can, could you post the info on your site too? We want a HUGE turn out!!
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