What's a parent to do???

[clh2]

DD, in 6th grade has been sick since Friday night. Fevers yesterday ranged from 101 to 103.4. Wasn't too concerned, she pretty much laid in bed or on the couch all day. She napped/watched TV/napped etc. all day long.

Today, she woke up with a 103.7. I took her in to urgent care. She has strep.

She is now on meds, blah blah blah. Probably not drinking enough yet - I know she is sick of popcicles.

My dilemna: She is supposed to practice her flute for 25 minutes each and every day, and the parents are supposed to sign off on it. There is no grace in this - if you practice 50 minutes one day, it doesn't roll over to the next day - if that makes sense.

I also know that 1-day of missing flute practice isn't going to affect her development in mastering this instrument.

I am tempted, yet conflicted, to just sign that she has practiced yesterday. We are in a new school (middle as opposed to elementary) and I just don't know the ropes yet. I would like to assume a "sick" day would be reason enough to not practice, and not have it held against you, and she was truly pathetic yesterday, practicing wasn't an option.

In my twisted "mommy-mind" I am tempted to tell her that if she practices tomorrow for about 40 minutes - that I would sign her form for the week. Yet, I don't want her to think this would be acceptable on a regular basis. Since the forms have to be turned in on Tuesday, I won't even be able to talk to the band director about this before I have officially lied, and signed off on this. While many of you have been back to school for several weeks already, our school just started on 9/1. So, we have a whopping 2 days under our belts, and since band is only on the odd days - she has only been in band 1 time.

My flame suit is on - so any thoughts?

 

[dg39]

No flames from me. We all do alot for our kids to try to make it better for them. Anyway, I would attach a note and explain that she wasn't able to practice due to sickness and write your tel.# on it in case they want to call you about. If your dd doesn't feel well, then she won't be able to practice. If she feels better tomorrow and is up to practicing then let her do it for alittle while, but, don't let her overdo it. Like you said, a day or two or three isn't going to affect her ability to master the instrument. Hope she feels better soon.

 

[Sparx]

Send a note that she was sick and couldn't practice. Trust me, anyone who has ever tried to play a woodwind with strep will agree, don't do it. The band director will understand.

 

[malibuconlee]

I agree, send a note explaining she has strep and was unable to practice.

Oh, and clean out her mouthpiece before she plays on it again.

 

[Sparx]

Oh, and clean out her mouthpiece before she plays on it again.

I thought about that after I posted. She should give it a quick cleaning after every time she plays it, but really clean it before she plays again.

 

[clh2]

Does it need to be cleaned with anything? All they are using are some sort of "flute cleaning" cloths.

 

[Milla Jovovich]

Does it need to be cleaned with anything? All they are using are some sort of "flute cleaning" cloths.

Well, I played clarinet, and I just changed out reeds and rubbed my down with a cloth after I was sick. I don't know how you are supposed to clean flutes, but I think the cloth should be enough. Just clean it out really well.
BTW, hugs and a quick recovery to your dd.

 

[sPaRkLeSpAz]

The band director will understand.

 

[malibuconlee]

Sorry, if I'm incorrect as band was a while ago for me, but I seem to remember our band director cleaning the mouthpiece with mouthwash when we were "testing" out the different instrument mouthpieces.

 

[BillSears]

I'd sign it with a notation next to my name saying. "Daughter was sick, couldn't practice."

So basically you're signing stating that the practice wasn't just ignored but was instead not done for a good reason.

 

[Christine]

You need to set the example here for your DD. Don't "lie" and say she practiced even if she makes up for it the next day. She's sick for goodness sake and if the band teacher has a problem with it, then he'd have a big problem with me. I would put on the slip that she had strep throat and could not practice.

 

[Mermaid02]

Nobody with a 103* fever can practice an instrument and get anything out of it. If the band director doesn't understand that he isn't much of a teacher.

 

[Twinkles6892]

Just sign it. It's ridiculous that the band teacher is making them practice. Our band director says, "If you want to be good, you'll practice. If you don't, don't bother playing."

 

[Kermit]

I'd send a note saying why she didn't practice, and, if she's feeling up to it, have her practice extra tomorrow. Put that in the note, too.

 

[RobynK]

you could also send a copy of the bill from urgent care so he knows that she was really sick and you aren't just saying she is. Not that you would lie but then he would have no reason to doubt you.

 

[jahexom]

Answering as a band director, I would say send the note stating that she didn't practice on x days because she was sick. I would definitely excuse a student when they are sick. She wouldn't get anything out of the practice if she even tried when she is sick. Also I second the comment to clean off the mouth area of her head joint. Now, and again after she has finished her meds. I would use something like rubbing alcohol. The band director also might have a product called Sani-mist which he/she could spray on for your DD. It is basically alcohol with mint flavoring. Hope this helps.

Jen

 

[sharbear]

Do not have her practice her flute with strep. No way, no how.

My DD cleans her flute all the time with rubbing alcohol. Doesn't hurt it at all. Make sure to swap out the head joint every time she plays. It will help her from getting sick again.