Comments on: You’re on a Visit and the Children are Sick…What Do You Do?

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:59:26 +0000

In reply to Ana.

Yes, Cheryl, with this flu season it’s probably not a bad idea to check when you arrive, especially if you know someone in the home has already been sick. I agree that our responsibility really is two-fold – to keep ourselves well and to avoid spreading germs to the families we visit, including the family with the sick child.

By: Ana

Ana — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:41:38 +0000

As Cheryl proposes,calling ahead during this season is a good idea; however, but I would ask if there’s anyone sick at home, to include others that may be at home but are not the child or the parent. If that’s not possible then I would ask at the door before going inside. It may sound a bit rude, but if we remind our clients about our policy, they will understand that by restricting ourselves from entering the home where someone is sick, we are also protecting them from bringing germs into their home.

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 02:42:36 +0000

In reply to Cheryl.

You’re right, Cheryl, the child won’t benefit much from the session if he’s under the weather. That’s an important point. Same for the parent too. If the parent isn’t feeling well or is distracted by the child’s illness, he or she might also not be able to participate in the visit as well as if everyone felt better. Checking in with the parent before the visit is a great way to try to head off a challenging situation!

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 00:58:17 +0000

I always call or text my families the night before to confirm the schedule, and am upfront about the fact that I would rather they cancel then if there is any question. I explain that they have a limited number of visits, and the child won’t get a lot from the session if sick. They also know that I’m pregnant and can’t be exposed to sickness either. No major problems this year and I try to be flexible to reschedule so they don’t lose time.

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:32:57 +0000

In reply to Jen Sievers.

Great points, Jen! Explaining WHY is so important so that everyone understands the expectation, especially for next time (because with infants and toddlers, its likely that there will be a “next time”). And it definately helps to be able to reschedule soon so that families don’t feel that they are missing out. Thanks for your comments!

By: Jen Sievers

Jen Sievers — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 15:45:21 +0000

We have a sheet that we provide to our families at the intake appointment, explaining our sick/cancellation policy. I usually use that time to go over the policies and explain to families WHY it’s important not just for us and other families, but for them too, to cancel/reschedule when the child OR another family member in the home in sick. Thankfully, in our system, we are able to reschedule usually the next week or so, so the visit is often not *missed* but rather just postponed until the week or two after.

I agree that it can be awkard sometimes to leave when you’re already there and doing a visit, but staying will most likely result in the family not cancelling when it happens again. If you politely talk with them and explain why the visit needs to be reschedule, there’s a better chance that next time they might call to cancel beforehand 🙂

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:52:25 +0000

In reply to Lauren Simmons.

I’ve heard that too, Lauren, that the flu is going to be everywhere this year! Thank goodness for hand sanitizer! It’s definately tricky when you’re in the visit and the sick child wants to join the activity. When we use the toys the family already has, we know that the germs are probably already on them so I guess the choices are, as you tried, to either keep playing (and plan to wash your hands later) or do what you did and excuse yourself.

By: Lauren Simmons

Lauren Simmons — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:29:43 +0000

I have to say that I agree with Dee. I have a ton of preemies and medically fragile on my caseload and gently remind parents often that not only do I have a caseload, but tiny ones at home and we try not to expose others or myself. Parents are usually OK with this.

I actually had this very situation happen to me recently. I politely asked the older child to not the toys we were playing with, but she did anyway, so I found a polite way to say that we were going to excuse ourselves. It felt a little awkward, but I’m really glad we left!!!!

PS–The flu is no joke these days! 🙂

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:20:23 +0000

Yes, everyone is tired and feeling yucky when there is a sick child in the house! I think Dee made another good point about the children needing their mother’s attention rather than her having to give it to us. Setting up the “permission” and expectation to cancel from the get-go is always a great way to go!

By: Cori Hill

Cori Hill — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:03:55 +0000

Ummm…run for the hills! Nah, just kidding! I like all of Dee’s suggestions, especially the part of making it a natural part of the discussion about each visit..”If anyone is sick, please call to reschedule.”

After spendin ALL night last night with a very sick teenager, I would not want this shared with ANYONE!