Need daycare ideas! Baby has chicken pox...

[DisneyLovingMama]

Hi all! My little guy broke out in chicken pox today. That means he'll have to be home all next week. Unfortunately, I have no sick days left (having him this year, I used all my days, pretty much). My parents and siblings are working, and I don't know of any local babysitters (not even sure they would take him).

He just turned a year...does anyone know if I can take FMLA for the week? Or, is that only within his first 12 months? I'd hate to take an unpaid leave so close to the holidays, but I can't see any other recourse.

Any other ideas?

 

[kristen821]

At my work you have to be off 7 days before you can claim fmla.

 

[figment52]

It woulddepend on your company policy. FMLA allows for 12 weeks a year but your company decides if it is a calendar year or a "rolling" 12 months. If it is rolling you cannot begin the second 12 weeks until 12 months after the first day of your first FLMA leave.

 

[Planogirl]

In Houston they have (or at least had) a daycare especially for sick youngsters. I remember that it was something set up by medical people and I heard that it was almost like a mini-hospital of sorts. Something like that may be awfully expensive though.

 

[aprilgail2]

I took a weeks family leave after my daughters surgery.....I actually have an "open" family leave now for 12 months to be taken as I need it....just in case my daughter has to be home from school for a sickness I can take the time as needed from work...

 

[DisneyTarheel]

I remember when I was a child, getting chicken pox made you very popular, since everyone wanted to bring their kids around to make sure they got it young . . . Do people still do that?

 

[aprilgail2]

I remember when I was a child, getting chicken pox made you very popular, since everyone wanted to bring their kids around to make sure they got it young . . . Do people still do that?

I would never ever intentionally expose my child to a possibly life threatening illness if at all possible! Kid die from the chicken pox every year, I can't imagine in this day and age that people would be so careless as to still do something like that....

 

[OhMari]

Wow, sorry to hear your child got chicken pox. My youngest got it from her siblings when she was 3 months old. Be really careful-my dd ended up with double ear infection. I had to carry her on a pillow because she had a huge breakout.

She is now 15 and I still can see a scar on her chest and arm. Good luck. Does the Dr. still recommend and antihistimine for itching and swelling.?

 

[pkasbohm]

Do you go to a daycare center or a home daycare? I have a home daycare myself and when my son's broke out with the chicken pox so did everyone else's kids. I told the parents that I would go ahead and take them but if they were uncomfortible or cried alot that they would have to come and pick them up! I gave a lot of benadryl and lots of lotions that two weeks but i think it helped the kids being here and not at home because they had other people to play with and kept their minds off of scratching.

Anyway, that is a thought....talk to your provider!

 

[staci]

I know our local hospital has a daycare on dropin basis for 'bearly sick' kids; those who are unable to go to school or daycare. They are supposedly put in areas with children with 'like' illnesses. I have never checked it out but you could check that.

 

[summerrluvv]

I remember when I was a child, getting chicken pox made you very popular, since everyone wanted to bring their kids around to make sure they got it young . . . Do people still do that?

Yes they do. I read an article about "Pox Parties" somewhere recently (could've been the Dis). Isn't the chicken pox vaccine standard these days? I know that my son received one when he was a baby.

 

[staci]

Yes I think the shots are pretty standard, but I believe they are given between 12-18 months of age (at least here), so any younger children have not been vaccinated.

 

[disneychrista]

here a link that explains FMLA link

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Look into local babysitting services in your area. The one I use here for date nights has a sick care option. Fortunately, I have never had to use it, but it is nice knowing it is there. Definitely costs more than regular daycare, but if you cannot get off from work it may be worth it.

 

[momof2inPA]

Since chicken pox are so contagious, I doubt any sick kid care place would let him in with the cold and flu kids. My pediatricians wouldn't even let my son in their office. I think you will just have to bite the bullet and take the time off. He might scab over in a few days, and then they might let him back in daycare.

 

[kristen821]

I know in Illinois Chicken pox vaccines are required before they enter the school system. I am not a fan of the vaccine but it is required. I have the biggest fear that my kids won't keep up with the shot as adults since they are required every 10 years and they will get chicken pox as an adult when they are worse. I haven't have chicken pox either so my kids didn't get any immunity from me while I was pregnant.

 

[ducklite]

I don/t know your family situation, but couldn't the child's father take some time off? Or do you have a friend/family member who lives out of town but doesn't work that could come in to stay for a few days?

Good luck!

Anne

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I know that with my kids, the first few days that the they had the pox they were pretty miserable and really needed a lot of TLC. I can't imagine a stranger giving that. The last couple of days, as they were starting to scab over was a different story, but at first they were not happy campers.

 

[Christine]

So, even though you have used all your sick days and vacation, will your employer just not let you do leave without pay?

I know that all companies are very different, but in my company if you've run out of leave and you need time off--you just take off--and you don't get paid for it. No big deal. No one is ever abusive of this. Can your company not work with you on this?

 

[DisneyLovingMama]

Thanks for all the ideas. Today's he's much more cranky and miserable. I feel soo bad for him. He's not trying to scratch, though.

I'll probably just take unpaid leave. I really don't want him around other sick kids - not fair to either party. It's just tough, that's all. Especially around the holidays.

He just turned one and was due for his vaccination in early January, since I couldn't get him earlier. At least it's one less shot he needs.