The truth about the dreaded ‘first winter in daycare’
Nobody said anything about parents faring worse than the kids, writes Stephanie Arthur-worsop
EVERYBODYWARNEDMEOF the dreadful “first winter in daycare”. That precious bundle, having been cocooned in theirownhomesince birth, is suddenly thrust into a new environment with other kiddos— of course it’s going to result in a hit to theirimmune system.
Putting our son into daycare just before winter, I knewhe was going to get sick and I hadmademypeace with that. But then people started sharing war stories of their own “first winters”.
Onewomantoldmeshe had to take 30 sick days in three months. Another said her baby had a cold that persisted frommay to August.
Probably the most alarming, I was told by a parent that they had to suck the snot out of their little darling’s blocked nose. (I lovemyson but not that much!)
So when the temperatures dropped, I had geared myself up for all the sick days, the calls to pick upmyboy from daycare, the sleepless nights and general unhappiness. Well, imaginemysurprise whenwemade it to September 1 relatively unscathed. I breathed a sigh of relief; the worstwinter was over.
There had been a couple of minor colds that lasted a fewdays and one chest infection that I seemed to suffer from more thanmyson.
Perhaps it was all the social distancing and hand sanitiser but evenmyson’s carer was surprised by howlittle he had been sick.
So here I am, in December, thinking smugly that I’m totally out of the woods and what do you know— we get sick.
It turns out the dreaded “first winter” actually has no limit— hencewhy I have a box of tissues and lemon tea bymyside right now, and I’ve been pounding Strepsils like they are lollies for the past few days. Myson appears to have inherited hubby’s stellarimmune system, getting over his daycare illnesses quickly and without fuss. Though, not before he inevitably passes whatever germs he has, on to me.
Then I amleft with a foggy brain, aching throat and a cough that seems to last half a year.
I feel cheated! Nobody warnedmethat I would be the one suffering from all the bugs spread in those petri dishes they call childcare centres!
And to makematters worse, myson’s carer (who is amazing andwe adore) has recently informedmethere are nasty cases of hand, foot and mouth disease, croup anddand Vs (if you don’t know, you don’t want to know, trust me) going around at the moment.
Perhaps I need to start stocking up on tissues and lozenges now. Though I’m sure myson will be fine.