When to keep your child home if they are not feeling well

Every parent wants that their kids should never miss their schools even for a day, but it is not possible. Kids fall sick ever so often and they need rest. Usually kids are vulnerable to viral infections almost every month which can lead to health conditions that can last for nearly 7 days. When the kids fall sick, the most confusing decision for you as a parent is when to keep your child home if they are not feeling well. This is really hard to decide as you have to consider several parameters before coming to a conclusion. You want your kid to be back to normal at the soonest and also don’t want other kids to get infection and suffer later. But at the same time you do not want your kids to miss their school as their education suffers eventually.

It is definitely a difficult choice, but you need to consider the medical viewpoint as well.

• Is he really that sick? Some kids are so sick that they have difficulty in breathing, or feel dizzy or maybe suffer from unbearable abdominal pain. These symptoms of sickness need immediate attention. Well, your choice becomes easier in such cases. Make him rest at home till he gets well.
• Is he fit enough to be attentive and participate in his school activities? If your child feels drowsy or very uneasy, surely he won’t be able to concentrate on anything that is taught in school. But if you so wish to send him, give him a doctor’s note along so that the teachers do not allow him to participate in demanding activities like gym or dance.
• Will your child’s childcare facility take good care of your child? The most comfortable feeling for a child when he is sick is when he is in his mother’s arms. At the facility the teacher’s or his caregivers may not give him the extra care and attention that he might need when he feels unwell. So, it is better that your child stays with you at home.
• Will the infection spread on to other kids? Kids are vulnerable to infections due to their low immunity level, hence the duty of a responsible parent is to not send his child to the childcare facility if he is suffering from severe infection. Moreover, it is always good for your child too. If your child is suffering from mild infection, you may send, but in cases where your doctor says that the infection may spread, make him stay at home.
• Does your child need only you? When kids feel sick, they want to feel safe with their parents, especially mother. Check his eyes, his body temperature and how cranky he gets. A mother’s intuition is never wrong. Remember your child needs you when he is not feeling well. It is ok to keep him at home. You can put in some extra efforts to help him with his lost studies. Also keep in mind that the mother is not at rest if the child is suffering at his childcare facility. ​ So believe in your gut feeling, is it says no, then do not send him to the facility.