SAHM ? regarding Flounder's Nursery

[moinab]

I'm a stay at home mom of DS-almost 3 and DD-5 months. We are going on our first cruise July 17, on the Wonder. DS has very limited day care/sitter experience and DD has none. We are considering an attempt at reserving two hours in Flounder's Reef Nursery for one night of our cruise. DD is an excellent sleeper, and I believe DS would be ok watching videos. My concern is that, not having group care experience, they will be highly susceptible to viruses, etc.

When DS was 11 months old, I was hired at a day care center and enrolled him while I was working. This was a very good facility with strict hygiene standards. Two days after starting, however, he came down with a horrible cold, and was then sick for 5 weeks straight with overlapping colds, ear infections, and pinkeye. I quit the job, he recovered completely two weeks later and has rarely been sick since.

I would like to hear from any SAHM's who have used Flounder's. Any post-cruise illness problems? Any other suggestions/advice in general? I'm not a germ-o-phobe. I just don't want to cap off my cruise experience with two weeks of sick children!

 

[Dancind]

I'm pretty sure the standards of cleanliness in Flounders are higher than almost any day care facility in the US. However, it doesn't sound like this is the problem. It sounds like your kids haven't been exposed to other kids - that's where they pick up infections. Every Mom remembers the kids going through years where their kids are constantly sick, whether it's day care when they're babies, or pre-school if they've been sheltered at home. There will be other kids in Flounders, as well as other people at dinner etc., but the place they're most likely to get sick is on the airplane traveling to and from FL. Just do the best you can to take precautions, and hope for the best! Diana

 

[Dancind]

Just noticed where you live. Well, the airplane is one thing you don't have to worry about! Diana

 

[jel0511]

I have to agree with Dancind on this one. My DD (now 5) was also not exposed to other children in a daycare situation. she was NEVER sick as an infant and toddler, but as soon as she started pre-school, WHOA!!! She was sick all the time!! It's going to happen regardless, since it's usually not the cleaniless, but the germs from other children that get them sick. So, if you're that concerned, I'd keep them out, but my DS 18 months at the time, spent EVERY NIGHT in Flounders for around 3 hours, and he did fine. Now, he does have an older sibling who brought all kinds of germs home from pre-school, so he's been sick before. You can't keep them away from everything, because eventually they'll get in contact with other children, and then they'll get sick. It always happens, it doesn't matter what age they are when they start.

 

[ohiominnie]

Well, the GOOD news is, you're on a 3 day cruise. By the time your kids are exposed and the incubation period is over, they more than likely won't be sick until you return home. So it won't affect your cruise.

And...MORE GOOD news....you are sailing at low virus season. You could almost count on your kids getting sick when exposed to other kids in December, but July is pretty low virus season.

Unfortunately, we can't protect our kids from every germ. Mild illnesses usually run their course and the body makes antibodies against that virus.

Good luck!

 

[moinab]

That's a good point about air travel. We did fly to MA in April to visit family, and they didn't get sick then. Also, they go to playgroups and the playground regularly, so they have some exposure to other kids. I guess I'm just a little overly paranoid about group care from our brief experience (that was in July, too, come to think of it.)

The major issue for me is that Grandpa is coming to visit 2 days after we get back from the cruise. We don't get to see each other often and I'd hate for the kids to be sick and cranky for his visit. On the other hand, DH and I haven't been out dancing in over 4 years. I'm thinking a few hours of husband/wife time is worth the minor risk of kid germs!

Thanks for the reality check!

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

This happened at the end of October 2002 RIGHT before the Norwalk thing started and remember I am ONLY sharing my experience not stating an opinion.

My oldest DS was 4 and had no problems at the 3-4 club. I made ressies for my youngest DS who was 16 months at the time. I also have stayed at home since the 2nd baby came along and he has only stayed with family.

Of course the CM's were great and went out of their way to make him stop crying but he would not. I tried it 2 times and can tell you it was my son's personality and not Flounders bc I truly believe they did everything is their power to get him to stop even as going as far as walking him up and down the halls and taking him to see his brother. The 2nd time I tried them they knew I was eating at Luminiere's and waited to page me until I was done with dinner. I had gone up and checked on him about 30 minutes after I dropped him off and he was crying and then I came back to the table and started crying and our head waiter thought I was crying bc I did not like my food anyhoo............it did not work for us.

My oldest son always has gone to daycare or preschool but my little guy would have none of it After our 4 day Wonder cruise we went to WDW for 4 days over Halloween. The day after we got to WDW from the cruise the baby threw up for about 15 hours straight. Now I do not know if it something he caught from the Nursery or the ship in general but kids do get sick but we were suspicious when right after we got home the Norwalk virus hit the ships.....................my 5 year old DS ended up getting the same thing and also was sick for about 2 days.

I know a child can get sick from a grocery buggy, a table or a bathroom. It just happens. I did not worry too much before hand bc I felt my babies immune was built up from having an older brother even though he had not been in daycare or such.

I can tell you for a fact that Flounders and their CM was wonderful and did what they could but my baby would have none of it and I don't know what caused them to get sick........

This year on our 7 day Magic over Halloween I am planning on taking my MIL and I guess not even trying Flounders. He will be 2.5 so I "may" try 1 night.

I wish I could give you a better answer but I think it depends on the child and luck. My oldest son has severe asthma and has been sick his whole life and unfortunately I had to work at that time which did not help his asthma. He came down with everything The baby has been exposed to all of the "preschool" germs his older brother brings home so he gets it too. I am not sure what happened last October but it did ruin the WDW part of our vacation.

I am Praying it does not happen again......best of luck!!!

Tiff

 

[beanteam]

Just got back and Tara was not happy in Flounders for the most part. She just slept. We felt so bad when we dropped her off. I know it wasn't the CMs working there, it was my 18mo old. She has major stranger anxiety.

They are VERY clean in there. They make every child entering wash their hands. Your chances of getting sick in there are probably less than in the pool areas