ZERO TO FIVE IN 60 SECONDS
Quick tips for parents of young children
By MARK SULLIVAN, Executive Director, Michigan 4C Association

Q: What do I do when my kid is sick and they won’t accept him at child care? I can’t afford to miss too many work days.

A: There is no getting around the fact that kids get sick. Prepare for those times in advance; and begin by learning your child care provider’s policies for sending children home. You don’t want to drop off a child, only to be called back as soon as you get to work. If your child is running a fever, for instance, it’s not likely he feels like or should be around other children in a normal care surrounding.

The Oakland County Health Department has created a very thorough list of diseases and how long children should be excluded from school or child care for each one. The list is useful after you have seen a doctor and have a confirmed diagnosis. Find it by searching for "communicable disease reference chart" at www.co.oakland.mi.us.

Households with two parents sometimes can split child sick days, so neither has to absorb them all. Other people you call on should be trusted friends or relatives, because it’s really best if they can come to your house. Transporting a sick child isn’t going to be pleasant, and may not be healthy for anyone involved. And there is no place like your own bed or a comfy couch when you are feeling miserable.

In fact, sometimes the lure of those places raises the question, "Is the child really sick?" If he is up and around and has no fever, even if he complains of stomach ache or another vague malady, it could be a simple case of "stay-home-itis," or as professionals would call it, separation anxiety. Then it’s time to turn your attention to transition remedies, not traditional medicine. He may have a concern about something going on at the center or at home that he may not be able to express. Stop the rush to get out the door in the morning for a hug and some reassurance that you love him and he is going to a place where people care about, and like him. Although the pause may put you a few minutes late for work - it might be better than missing all day.