Was I wrong??

ok- so DS is 26 months. I just bought a groupon for 6 mommy and me classes at a play place- and today was the first day.
DS and I both had colds over the weekend, but we're doing a lot better now. But, you know how colds can hang around for a little while. We both still have a little bit of stuffy-ness/coughing going on...But, its not like we're fevery, snotting everywhere, etc anymore
So i decided to go today. We were having fun the class was nice. They had this little helicopter thing the kids can sit in, with two steering wheels in it.
So DS is playing in there with another little boy. The other boys mom asked how old DS was, etc. Then she goes " Does he have a cold??" I don't even know what made her ask- like i said, its not like ds was dripping snot everywhere or coughing all over the kid or anything. His nose is maybe a little bit red still, but thats about it....
I just said " well, hes getting over one from the weekend..."
and she said "oh!" and took her DS out of the toy. she said " he was just really sick... so i'm still really nervous...."
I don't know what to think. Was she overreacting?? Or was i wrong to take DS today- like i said, its really just the tail end of a cold. I figure he's 2, its winter, a little runny nose is gonna be unavoidable, and i can't just keep him in the house every time he sniffles, ya know?
you can tell the truth- i won't be offended! LOL

Re: Was I wrong??

I don't think you were wrong, those places are germ-fests and if she was really worried about her DS getting sick again she should have kept him home. However, I don't really think she overreacted, she didn't accuse you of doing anything wrong, just said that she wanted to try and avoid getting her DS sick again.

Obviously you would not have brought your DS there if he was still sick, but if he was better, I think it was fine. I know that when my kids get sick their coughs linger for 3-4 weeks sometimes, and their ped says that it's normal. Kids have colds and runny noses ALL winter long even when they aren't sick. As long as he had no fever and wasn't dropping green snot all over I don't think you did anything bad.

Was I wrong??

I agree with LB. You weren't wrong, but I don't think she overreacted. I don't keep DD in the house everytime she gets a little cold. If I did, we'd be cooped up in the house all winter long. But if I wanted to avoid her getting sick, I wouldn't bring her to a place like that.

Re: Was I wrong??

If your DS did not have a runny nose and was not coughing all over the place, then it's the mom's issue, not yours.

Re: Was I wrong??

My gymboree teacher is very strict about keeping kids home with a cough/runny nose.

I love it: as a result, my kid has NEVER gotten a cold from gymboree. The kids don't sniff, and don't cough.

I went to an open play place last week and spent exactly 3 minutes there before leaving. Half of the kids and moms were coughing. Flu is going around & I don't want it!

I don't think you are outside the norm, but neither was the mother for removing her child. She must have known somehow your kid was sick. Sometimes we don't notice ourselves coughing, KWIM?

Was I wrong??

Overreacting, IMO. DS was "sick" most of the fall, but he was really only contagious in the beginning. There might have really been another issue, but if you are taking your kid to a play area with other kids... chances are there's gonna be germs around!

Was I wrong??

You're not wrong. If I kept DS home every time he had a runny nose we wouldn't leave the house from Oct-April. If her kid was just really sick and she's so nervous she should have kept her kid home.

Was I wrong??

You aren't wrong but, I can see why the other mother did what she did.

I don't keep my kids in when they have runny noses/coughs - my little guy's nose has been running for months (mainly teething). I do get a little scared though of them catching something when they are with someone who has a visibly bad cold - I cringe often times at daycare which is where I usually see it.

Re: Was I wrong??

Re: Was I wrong??

Unless her kid has a compromised immune system (in which case she shouldnt' have him in group settings), she was overreacting in the way she did it. I could see her trying to keep her kid from catching one though.

The only reason I wouldn't have brought my kids out is if they were uncomfortable with their cold or presenting secondary symptoms (cough,fever, beginning of a sinus infection).

Message edited 1/9/2013 1:55:40 PM.

Re: Was I wrong??

My kids have coughs and runny noses regularly. It's just normal for us. I take them out unless they are uncomfortable or have a fever/sick/green goop.

I think she was nice about it, so I wouldn't have minded what she said. But honestly, she should have just kept him home since those places are germ fests regardless of who he is playing with.

Re: Was I wrong??

I could picture myself in both situations.
If my childs cold was gone, I would take her out also but if I saw another kid that looked a little sniffly or something I'd probably direct my daughter to play in another direction.
I wouldn't take her out of the same car or say anything, I wouldn't want to make another mother feel bad. So don't feel bad I think she was being cautious (which she should) but a little insensitive.

Re: Was I wrong??

I don't think either one of you were wrong.

Re: Was I wrong??

Posted by Beck

I could picture myself in both situations.
If my childs cold was gone, I would take her out also but if I saw another kid that looked a little sniffly or something I'd probably direct my daughter to play in another direction.
I wouldn't take her out of the same car or say anything, I wouldn't want to make another mother feel bad. So don't feel bad I think she was being cautious (which she should) but a little insensitive.

Re: Was I wrong??

You're not wrong. If she was that concerned, she should not have been there.
Germs are everywhere.
My DD has had a runny nose since October. As soon as the cold air hits, it's runny nose and red cheeks.

Re: Was I wrong??

Re: Was I wrong??

A runny nose is common at that age during the winter, so no I don't think you were wrong. As long as your child doesn't have a fever, isn't coughing non-stop, throwing up, or obviously sick, I think it's fine to go out.

I take my dd out and I know they are germ infested. I just hope moms use common sense and keep them home if they are really sick.

If you keep your kid home every time they have a runny nose, you'll never go out!

Re: Was I wrong??

Posted by Beck

I could picture myself in both situations.
If my childs cold was gone, I would take her out also but if I saw another kid that looked a little sniffly or something I'd probably direct my daughter to play in another direction.
I wouldn't take her out of the same car or say anything, I wouldn't want to make another mother feel bad. So don't feel bad I think she was being cautious (which she should) but a little insensitive.