advice on talking to parents about sick children

[ashton2005]

Hello everyone. As you all know i have a 5 yo along with ashton. we are having an issue of parents always sending there kids down here to play with abbi.. which is fine as long as they are not sick. well last week when ashton got RSV it was from colds that a few of abbis friends were carrying and i didnt know they were sick until they were done playing and going home. I could tell they were sick from the coughing and looking t there runny noses.. I know he is going to get colds but i would prefer he not get them in our house unless it is from one of us.. Has anyone ever wrote a letter to parents explaining whats going on or just talking to them.. We hve about 3-4 different friends she plays with and i would like the nicest easiest way to explain what i want them to know about sick children coming over here to play.. I dont mind abbi going to there house when they just have a cold because she hardly ever gets sick and she washes her hands as soon as she comes home...

thanks for any advice
christi
ashton 4 mo w/ cf
abbi 5 yo w/o cf

 

[ashton2005]

Hello everyone. As you all know i have a 5 yo along with ashton. we are having an issue of parents always sending there kids down here to play with abbi.. which is fine as long as they are not sick. well last week when ashton got RSV it was from colds that a few of abbis friends were carrying and i didnt know they were sick until they were done playing and going home. I could tell they were sick from the coughing and looking t there runny noses.. I know he is going to get colds but i would prefer he not get them in our house unless it is from one of us.. Has anyone ever wrote a letter to parents explaining whats going on or just talking to them.. We hve about 3-4 different friends she plays with and i would like the nicest easiest way to explain what i want them to know about sick children coming over here to play.. I dont mind abbi going to there house when they just have a cold because she hardly ever gets sick and she washes her hands as soon as she comes home...

thanks for any advice
christi
ashton 4 mo w/ cf
abbi 5 yo w/o cf

 

[anonymous]

I would write up a nice letter explaining Ashton's situation with CF and being a young baby and just ask that if the parents have seen any indication of a cold/illness that they please try to help make sure the kiddos aren't coming to Abbi's house to play. You may want to put an extra emphasis on how with Ashton being so young it is extra important to avoid exposure until his immune system is more developed so you can avoid hospital stays, etc. you could either mail the letters/drop them in the mailboxes or send them with the kids or with Abbi...Let us know what you end up doing and how it works out!

 

[anonymous]

I would write up a nice letter explaining Ashton's situation with CF and being a young baby and just ask that if the parents have seen any indication of a cold/illness that they please try to help make sure the kiddos aren't coming to Abbi's house to play. You may want to put an extra emphasis on how with Ashton being so young it is extra important to avoid exposure until his immune system is more developed so you can avoid hospital stays, etc. you could either mail the letters/drop them in the mailboxes or send them with the kids or with Abbi...Let us know what you end up doing and how it works out!

 

[ashton2005]

I jsut sent the first letter to one of abbis friends house via abbi and her friend so hopfully no know thinks im just a mean person lol

christi

 

[ashton2005]

I jsut sent the first letter to one of abbis friends house via abbi and her friend so hopfully no know thinks im just a mean person lol

christi

 

[anonymous]

DS was in the NICU for several weeks and during that time they required handwashing and antibacterial foam prior to anyone touching the baby. When we left, the nurse gave us several disposable masks and said that if DH and I get sick (colds) we should wear them. We continued to require handwashing that first year or so. Anyone wanting to hold him, had to wash their hands.

Can you confine your child's friends to say a playroom/tv room. Keep ahston out of sneezing distance -- 3-6 feet? Then when they all leave, wipe down door knobs and surfaces with antibacterial wipes. Most colds/flu etc are caused by hand to mouth contact. DS goes to a daycare center and I was a nervous wreck that first year. But I'd also read that the worst kids as far as germ carriers were toddlers/preschool --- not as good about handwashing, wiping their noses - -heck mine has his FINGER up his nose half the time -- anyway the daycare center separated out the children by age and the little germ factories weren't allowed anywhere near the baby room.

Liza

 

[anonymous]

DS was in the NICU for several weeks and during that time they required handwashing and antibacterial foam prior to anyone touching the baby. When we left, the nurse gave us several disposable masks and said that if DH and I get sick (colds) we should wear them. We continued to require handwashing that first year or so. Anyone wanting to hold him, had to wash their hands.

Can you confine your child's friends to say a playroom/tv room. Keep ahston out of sneezing distance -- 3-6 feet? Then when they all leave, wipe down door knobs and surfaces with antibacterial wipes. Most colds/flu etc are caused by hand to mouth contact. DS goes to a daycare center and I was a nervous wreck that first year. But I'd also read that the worst kids as far as germ carriers were toddlers/preschool --- not as good about handwashing, wiping their noses - -heck mine has his FINGER up his nose half the time -- anyway the daycare center separated out the children by age and the little germ factories weren't allowed anywhere near the baby room.

Liza

 

[karon72]

We have had that problem with my son's friends. When first setting up a play date or a sleepover, I just call ahead & make sure the child that is coming over is not sick. That way you have an intro to let them know that your other child needs to stay away from colds (as much as possible). I explain to them about her cf & then let them know that Erin can't handle a cold like other kids and she has the potential to get really sick. For the most part, the parents are great. But occasionally, you get the ones that say they aren't sick & the kid comes over with bright green snot oozing! I just call the parents & have the pick up their child. Erin was hospitalized last time she had a "cold", so I learned the hard way that I have to take control of what comes into our house. It stinks for your other child, but we try to make it up to him with a movie or something special. Actually our 9 year old (w/o cf) totally understands now after her hospital stay. He was so scared for his sister & he understands better than I could have hoped for <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">.

 

[karon72]

We have had that problem with my son's friends. When first setting up a play date or a sleepover, I just call ahead & make sure the child that is coming over is not sick. That way you have an intro to let them know that your other child needs to stay away from colds (as much as possible). I explain to them about her cf & then let them know that Erin can't handle a cold like other kids and she has the potential to get really sick. For the most part, the parents are great. But occasionally, you get the ones that say they aren't sick & the kid comes over with bright green snot oozing! I just call the parents & have the pick up their child. Erin was hospitalized last time she had a "cold", so I learned the hard way that I have to take control of what comes into our house. It stinks for your other child, but we try to make it up to him with a movie or something special. Actually our 9 year old (w/o cf) totally understands now after her hospital stay. He was so scared for his sister & he understands better than I could have hoped for <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">.