Toddler w/ fever but we are all packed for camping

[Cadam]

2yo dd has a fever of 101.6. Everything is packed and actually at work with dh (I refuse to tow the boat trailer). I just have to pull together everyone toiletries and pick up the house, then meet dh at work this afternoon and we head out to the lake with the homeschool group . (See, this really does have to do with homeschooling!;) )

Dh says as long as she isn't throwing or up she will be fine and I should just bring her. Basically she won't be less miserable here than there and maybe camping will distract her so we should just go.

We tent camp. Anyone who has done this camping thing knows that , frankly, there is a lot of work for mom who is trying to cook and clean and keep track of a toddler in this outdoor environment. Add to that a toddler that just wants to sit on my lap all day and that I have to keep away from all the other people..... She might not be more miserable but I will be.

I would really like for dh just to go with the big kids but if I insist on staying he will either stay and make me miserable (he can't just rest and doesn't understand sitting with a sick baby) or go and be grumpy. He really, really needs this rest and time away but is more introverted and knows exactly one person going on this group trip so it will be tough for him w/o me there to deal with the social stuff.

Do I go or do I stay?

[Adrianne]

(((Christina)))

I know how you feel. My dh is the same way. I have tent camped with a sick toddler before and it is not fun.

Is it close enough for you to go and then drive home if the little one gets worse? (or you have had enough).

You could also go and just sit with the sick one and let him cook and watch the others. You could be there just to make dh feel better and let him do the work.

I wish I could be more help!

[Jen3boys]

If it were us, I'd send dh and non-sick kids and I'd stay home with the sick dc. If my sick dc was feeling better the next day, I'd drive to the camp. Because my older kids would really be looking forward to the trip, and I've been camping w/sick kids and it's no fun for me or the kid. Tell your dh to take a good book to read for some downtime from the socialization (that's what I do)

[newlifemom]

Honestly, it would depend on how your child is when sick. My kids often have a fever with no other symptoms that lasts say a day, or half a day or might come and go for 2 days. I don't stop life for that. However, if there are other symptoms then I would have to go with my gut. HTH.

PS HTH and BTW are the only abbrev. I know so I use it a lot to look computer savvy. :D

[Tap, tap, tap]

Can you take her to the pediatrician to get a quick look at her? Normally I wouldn't go to the doc for this, but I would hate to go, then have to come home the next day because she is screaming with an ear infection.

Otherwise there are a few basics you can think about.... Does she have hot gums, cutting a tooth? Does she have a rash? Pustules in her throat? Is she acting normal or fussy? Will she lay flat or does she only want to be held? Is she eating/drinking? If she is fussy, is she easily consolable? Is this a typical fever/behavior for her or does it seem different in some way?

If going to the doc is not an option, I would consider a few options.

If you are going for several nights....wait another day to go. Leave in the morning to see what the night brings with her fever. Check her throat, watch to make sure the fever isn't going to spike, and then make a decision in the morning. Dh can go and set up camp tonight if he is adamant, and you can join him tomorrow.

If you are only going for a day or two, and there is a clinic near by (put the phone number and hours in your cell before you go), AND you have a separate car with you, I would probably just go. If she gets bad, you can come home and dh can stay with the kids if he wants to. But be very diligent about not letting her play with other kids so she doesn't spread anything. And make sure everyone understands that you are only going is she is cooperative and that if you have to come home early, that no one is allowed to complain.

Depending on how far away it is, dh and the older kids can go join everyone for a day and come back home. Not the ideal, but may help alleviate some of the disappointment.

Above all...
Trust your instincts



There will always be another trip,
Tap

[klmama]

That makes it more complicated. Do any of them have children? If so, I'd stay home. I always hate it when people bring their sick kids along, just because it's more convenient for them, and then expose my dc, particularly if they don't tell me until we get there. Send dh and the older kids, and stay home with your sick little one. If she gets better, maybe you could drive separately (if you have a 2nd car) and join them tomorrow or Saturday.

[4kids4me]

It was miserable for the poor child. When we arrived home, she was still sick for four days. Had she been sick before we went for the weekend, I would never have brought her. It was just "yucky" not being in her own home environment, kwim? We ended up leaving a day early because of her and I don't regret it.

Stay home if possible. It'll be nicer for everyone.

[Tutor]

That makes it more complicated. Do any of them have children? If so, I'd stay home. I always hate it when people bring their sick kids along, just because it's more convenient for them, and then expose my dc, particularly if they don't tell me until we get there. Send dh and the older kids, and stay home with your sick little one. If she gets better, maybe you could drive separately (if you have a 2nd car) and join them tomorrow or Saturday.

This would be my choice as well. You said that dh was at work with the boat trailer and that you were meeting him there this afternoon. Thus, I am assuming two cars, and that his would fit the older two plus the last minute things you were planning on brining. If the campground is close enough (within a couple hours), I would send dh with the older two and head home with the 2yo for tonight then head up there tomorrow if she's (he's?) feeling better. Maybe give a heads up to one of the other families about what is going on so they can invite your dh and older ones to tag along with their camp fire and help each other out?

Hope your little one is feeling better soon. (And that this post isn't too late. :001_smile: )

[Cadam]

Thanks everyone! We decided that I will bring the big kids to him and drive up separately tomorrow if dd (the cutie in my avatar) is doing better. She says her tummy hurts though I don't know if that is going to happen. We are going with a group and I wouldn't want someone to bring a sick kid so that is another reason to stay home.

In addition to that some friends who live near the lake are going to meet us for the day and they have a brand new baby (10 days old!) so no sick people around baby.

So I will probably hang out here when I'm not holding dd this weekend, thanks for the opinions.

[newbie]

I hope she feels better. And kudos to you for being respectful to the other people going. It seems you cant find many people, at least here that take others into account anymore.

God bless,
Jet

[Jen3boys]

It sounds like you have a good plan. I hope she feels better soon.