Grandchildren illness

What did you do with your own children then Carol ? Didn’t you nurse them through illnesses if so what’s the difference
If you have a phobia about vomiting the only way to get over it is to get through it and put them first. Bite the bullet in other words

My littlest DGS now 2.5yrs gets a lot of colds etc. DD works nursing shifts and it is very difficult for her to take time out if they are short staffed.

I don't really mind spending time cuddling a little child with a temperature, if that is what's needed.
(My problem came when I could not find DGS2 a device with Peppa pig on it.)
They do really need their Mummies or Daddies when they are poorly though.

Queue - blasted predicable text.

Often called upon to look after sick grandchildren, or pick them up from school if they’ve become ill during the school day.

It’s just as easy to pick bugs up from the person serving you at the till, or standing next to you in a cue or dirty handles on shopping baskets or doors.

No point in worrying, just wear disposable gloves, face masks and barrier nurse the grandkids.

Hi Cjwoo.Do you still look after your grandchildren when they are sick, how do you get around it, I'm finding it's making me anxious looking after them incase they are ill, I hope I would be able to look after them, if needed ( I sincerely hope so anyway ) it's such a horrible phobia to have.

Thank you. Good advise. I have the same problem. Coughs & colds I have no problem with and am happy to administer to but also have a phobia of vomiting.

I'm the same love my grandson dearly, but have a phobia of vomiting , which I find difficult when looking after them, the only time he has been ill my husband was there, so could take over.If you don't feel happy looking after them with sickness bugs I think you should say, and maybe put up with everything else.I buy germstar hand gel from Amazon, it's the only one that protects againsthe norovirus.

Yes, but wash your hands well and buy dual defence from boots. And take vit d.

Just spent a day looking after GD who was too ill for school. I loved the fact that she wanted cuddles and chats and fell asleep sitting next to me. She's had a rotten cough and I will probably get it as well, but she's growing up so fast and one day she'll just hide under her duvet and won't want me, so I'm making the most of it now. If you are. ill yourself and afraid of catching anything it must be awful. Mind you if you have regular contact by the time they show any symptoms you've probably already got it!

I ve always looked after my grandkids if and when they are ill if their parents couldn’t I wouldn’t think twice about it unless I had some major illness that meant I couldn’t be in public picking up infections I would see it as a perfectly normal part of family life Let’s be honest if you avoided grandkids every time they are ill you ll never see them as they are always bringing something home
My Nan nursed me through scarlet fever when my mum was on her one and only holiday during my childhood I nursed one of my little ones through throat and ear infections while her parents had a belated honeymoon I see it as all part of normal family life
Last year I gave five members of my family including three kids a bad sickness bug, it’s swings and roundabouts
Unless you are ill yourself with an immune problems yes I think it’s a bit of an over reaction but each has to make their own decisions about things like this

I’ve just looked after my DGD with high temp all day as she became ill while already here. I don’t like looking after them when they are ill if I know in advance as I catch things very easily, am ill longer than the children were and then can’t do my caring the next week as I’m too ill! I don’t know the answer but I do wash my hands a lot when looking after them generally and try not to touch my eyes or let them feed me their food!!

Just getting over a virulent vomiting and diahorrea bug probably courtesy of my DDand family ! They all had it but thought they were over it .... Ha !

Incidentally, I hope your username is not your real name? This is a public forum - anyone can read the threads, even if they haven't joined GN. Also, many threads are put on Facebook and Twitter - there has been much discussion on here about this and the resulting risks of family members or friends seeing your posts.

From the child's point of view it depends how well they know you and whether they might be happy with you as a mother substitute.

From your point of view, it depends how concerned you are. I think I would draw the line at a sickness bug, but colds and coughs are part of the stuff of winter and most of my GC are dripping snot for the whole season.

We do try and take sensible precautions against catching stuff as if OH were to get pneumonia it could be fatal. But we cannot cocoon ourselves from all bugs.

For me it would depend on the circumstances. If I was asked to look after my GC because my DD or DS had work commitments that they simply could not get out of, then I would step in and help. After all, I looked after them when they were little and unwell. On the other hand, if it was simply so that they could go out in the evening and socialise I think I would say no.
Of course, if you have a compromised immune system, then you really should not be expected to look after sick children - it would be completely unreasonable of your DD/DS to ask you.