What parameters do you use in deciding to keep your kids home from school? I got a call from the school nurse to come get my 5 yr old because he's congested and coughing a lot. He was home sick on Thurs. and Fri., but got through school yesterday fine.

This school year has been the worst for us as far as illnesses go, and I hate that he is missing school. Usually, I can tell if they need to stay home, but I guess I missed this time (and I'm sure I'll miss again).

By Feona on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 01:00 pm:

I usually keep him out if he has a fever over 100-101. Runny nose and coughing or Runny nose and sneezing - stays home.


Very mild cold he goes to school.

By Colette on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 01:38 pm:

I keep them home with a fever (even a low one), or if no fever if you can just tell they don't feel well like with a cold or whatever. I am keeping my oldest home today because she's had a high fever Sunday and Monday and although her fever is just about gone, she could use a day to rest.

By Mechelle on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 02:07 pm:

I keep my two home from school if they have a mild grade fever....(24 hours after the fever is gone I send them to school), sneezing, (severe cough), or with complaints of stomach hurting.

Here the flu & strep throat, have been going around these schools severly, schools have been shuting down, for the sickness, and so many kids being out sick.

By Karen55 on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 02:19 pm:

I kept mine out with fever, vomiting or diarrhea, colored discharge from nose and excessive coughing. Sometimes it's really hard to gauge whether they should go to school or not. Once mine got to be highschool age, I let them decide if they were too sick to go to school, since they were the best judge of how they felt and knew what they would have to make up.

By Marymary on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 02:23 pm:

Wow you have a school nurse...our school goes up to Grade 8 and we don't have a nurse, so we rely on the teacher/principal to make the call...I sort of gauge their sickness, by fever and all the other things you listed...I am also very fortunate as I live only 15 minutes from the school and if my kids are too sick to stay, I am able to pick them up and drive them home...but then they know if I end up doing that it's complete bed rest, no computer, phone calls etc.....so faking has not been a problem (yet...LOL) and I may tend to be a bit over cautious as I keep them home a day longer than may really be necessary. (Wish other parents in our school would also), as often I hear a kid in class barking/coughing so loud and when I ask my DD how long have they been like that she will say oh since last week.

By Barbie on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 07:22 pm:

If their running a temp, coughing and sneezing it's best to keep them at home as not to spread it around the school.