Should I pull DS out of daycare or am I just feeling guilty

I know so many people who had their kids in a daycare or nursery type setting for years before starting elementary school, and their kids were sick ALL the time in K. So I think it just entirely depends on the immune system of the child, whether they wash their hands, etc. Babies and toddlers put their hands in their mouths A LOT, so it only makes sense that they are sick all the time in daycare.

I personally think if you have someone else to watch the child, go for it. Maybe stick with daycare p/t a couple of days a week if you want the social aspect of it.

Re: Should I pull DS out of daycare or am I just feeling guilty

Dd was sick pretty much the first 6 mo and then it got better now shes 16 mo and doesnt seem to be like she was a year ago. Its par for the course kids get sick but my ped also said it good the ammune system

Re: Should I pull DS out of daycare or am I just feeling guilty

If your mil can watch him, I would do that. If your husband turned out great, I am sure she would be good with your son. I think it is very tough for little ones to be sick.

Re: Should I pull DS out of daycare or am I just feeling guilty

I responded on your tubes thread which I can't find now. If the ped is recommending that he get tubes, do the consult with the ENT. Tubes changed my son's life. He was constantly sick with ear infections because the fluid was never draining from his ear. I know how emotionally draining that can be on a family. As a new mom, I didn't know enough to get a consult with an ENT and wish I had done it sooner. Once he got the tubes, the ear infections diminished and a cold really was just a cold when he got it. It didn't turn into an ear infection anymore! He has not had one in 3 years!!! I think that while you are exploring that route that you shouldn't pull him from anything. Allow him to keep the routine you have going. If he gets the tubes, give that time to see if it makes a difference. I bet that it will.
Besides the tubes issue, I think the decision to stay with your MIL or stay in a daycare facility is a very personal one. For ME, I would choose daycare but part of that is the fact that I wouldn't want my MIL spending so much time with my kid. If you don't mind that, then it's a different story. I also like the social aspect of daycare as well as all the modeling that goes on with the other kids. I like that they see each other learn new things every day and then they try it out themselves. Good luck in your decision!

Should I pull DS out of daycare or am I just feeling guilty

I don't know how much I believe that getting sick a lot makes your immune system better... It can't be good for you to be on so many antibiotics and medications early on in life..... JMO

It may help to ask the daycare to wash your son's hands more often, especially after playing with group toys. 2 is a tough age. Most kids don't know how to cover their mouths when coughing and sneezing, and many still put lots of things in their mouths... germs spread quicker and more often.

Should I pull DS out of daycare or am I just feeling guilty

double post

Message edited 10/23/2013 8:01:47 AM.

Re: Should I pull DS out of daycare or am I just feeling guilty

Re: Should I pull DS out of daycare or am I just feeling guilty

I worked in a day care. We cleaned everything and I washed my hands probably a thousand times a day. I still got sick. Your DS immune system needs to be built up. If you pull him out of day care when he starts school it will be the same thing. He will be sick all the time. My DS is in day care now. He started after labor day as well and has been sick about 3 times already as well. I'd rather him get sick now than when its time for him to really go to school and miss a lot of stuff.

Re: Should I pull DS out of daycare or am I just feeling guilty

Based on the tubes post I def don't think you should pull him. He's not getting better because his ears are draining and needs the tubs.....chances are he would be just as sick if he was home....the ears not draining has nothing to do with daycare...ear infections can happen even if he were to stay at home all the time.

Re: Should I pull DS out of daycare or am I just feeling guilty

It's so hard to see your kid sick and of course you are both frustrated and want to make things better, but if you are happy with the facility otherwise I would keep him there at least for a little while longer.

Should I pull DS out of daycare or am I just feeling guilty

THANKS GUYS!! I am reading all posts and just sharing with DH and of course working on things on my ends... like I said before I appreciate all the feedback and I know in the end we will make the decision that we feel is best for him and us. This is just helpful to have a forum of mommies!

Should I pull DS out of daycare or am I just feeling guilty

If it were me, I would have him watched at home ,if you have the option.

Re: Should I pull DS out of daycare or am I just feeling guilty

Re: Should I pull DS out of daycare or am I just feeling guilty

Re: Should I pull DS out of daycare or am I just feeling guilty

kids in daycare get sick, but it builds their immunity, kids who wait til preschool often get just as sick then because they have never been exposed to those germs.

I would see an ENT re all the ear infections, those have nonthing to do with daycare

Re: Should I pull DS out of daycare or am I just feeling guilty

Re: Should I pull DS out of daycare or am I just feeling guilty

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by nycgirl

Posted by lbride

I don't know how much I believe that getting sick a lot makes your immune system better... It can't be good for you to be on so many antibiotics and medications early on in life..... JMO

It may help to ask the daycare to wash your son's hands more often, especially after playing with group toys. 2 is a tough age. Most kids don't know how to cover their mouths when coughing and sneezing, and many still put lots of things in their mouths... germs spread quicker and more often.

I agree.

I think it's harder to deal with the colds when you are younger. For example, DS's cousin had a cough... when my DS caught his cold, because he was smaller, he had croup & needed steroids.

At some point, I think kids will be exposed to the common viruses & get immunity to them.

That being said... if there is no choice, plenty of kids survive daycare (and have been exposed to common viruses so don't catch colds in their later years as much)

I agree with you guys as well. It's also not a given you'll build up this super immune system just because you're sick so much early on. It really depends on the kid and their own individual immune system. Some people just naturally never get sick often, some people catch everything. I personally think it has little to do with early exposure. JMO.

I think it's torture watching my kids be sick because there is so little you can do for them. It's really tough to watch them be so miserable. I'm thankful they aren't in daycare and have little exposure to lots of germs an ickies. But you do what you have to and what you feel is best for your LO. It's a trade off, in the end........all of our kids will survive.

My DD started kindergarten this year, after being home with me for five years, and aside from two days of sniffles the first week, she hasn't been sick at all. Knock on wood we survive the winter.

Message edited 10/23/2013 11:07:00 AM.

Re: Should I pull DS out of daycare or am I just feeling guilty

My ds had a bought of being sick this time last year, had a ear infection that never went away for about 8 weeks, with 4 different antibiotics. He was not in daycare at that time. This year he has been in nursery school and has not gotten sick yet.

Re: Should I pull DS out of daycare or am I just feeling guilty

I do believe that kids can build up their immune systems by being exposed to germs. But they don't need to go to daycare to do that.

My sons started part time preschool at age 2. Additionally, they have been around tons of kids during our outings at the zoo, playgrounds, children's museums, music and gym classes, play dates, etc. They have gotten various illnesses from those. My five year old is in kindergarten, and is doing great so far.

If I had an option other than daycare, I would take it. Especially for a baby. I see no benefits to building their immune systems by them getting sick a lot at a young age. The littler they are, the harder it is for them( and their parents), when they are sick. There are plenty of chances for immune system building and socialization when they are toddlers.