Both of my kids came down with the flu yesterday. The youngest has been really clingy for a few days, but hasn't thrown up. My oldest spent all night throwing up. Neither of them have gotten sick today, but they just don't feel well. They've slept pretty much all day. Tomorrow I'm suppose to be hosting Christmas. There won't be any little kids, other than my two girls. I'm torn. I can't decide if I should just go ahead and cancel it, or wait and see what happens. I know that it's very possible both girls will wake up just fine and dandy. But, there's the possibility that they won't. I don't want to leave the family in a tough spot if I can't host. For the life of me, I can't remember how long someone is contagious after they've stopped vomiting. My husband and I have been going back and forth on this all day long.
What do you think? Should we just cancel now?
EDITED--Santa will come no matter what. I'm not worried about that. I was just speaking about the larger family gathering.
Thanks everyone! :) I called my mom and my stepsisters and told them that the kids were sick and they were welcome to come over at their own risk. My mom said she was coming, no matter what but my sisters were undecided. I did offer to reschedule the big family Christmas if my sisters decided not to come.
Merry Christmas!
I would call and let everyone know and they can make the call for themselves. See if there can be a back up plan and enlist the family in making it.
Poor things, and poor you!
same situation here but I ended up with it all night and have been in bed all day I feel like a terrible mom but I did cancel Christmas with the family didn't want to get anybody sick!
If there was stomach flu at the house I was going to and I WASN'T told ahead of time I would be livid. If I was told ahead of time I'd send hugs and get well soons and merry christmases and thanks, and set up a date in the future to exchange gifts/ potluck.
Bare minimum on contagion : 24 hours. Better: 48 hours. Both are after feeling *better*.
So sorry the flu hit you now!!!
I think you did the right thing by letting people know the kids are sick and then leaving it up to them to decide.
I hope your kids are better soon and you have a lovely day regardless of what happens.
Merry Christmas.
I remember being sick on year that we hosted Christmas. I stayed in bed and came out for dinner in my Christmas jammies. :)
I'd call your family and tell them the truth: The kids girls are sick. If you're still prepared to host, tell them that and let them decide whether or not to come.
If it were me, I'd go ahead and host. Even if they ARE still sick tomorrow, I'd rather be sick on Christmas than sick on Canceled Christmas (if that makes any sense).
HTH
T.
please please please cancel the plans at your house. My son came down with this same thing two weeks ago and we didn't realize how contagious it was until practically everyone that had come in contact with my home had gotten sick as well.... just tell your family that you don't want to give them all the sick germs and you are going to keep your girls home from the family gathering this year. I know it will be tough to miss out on the special occasion but you will feel HORRIBLE if for the next 2 weeks you hear about every one of your relatives getting the stomach flu. It's awful.
Good luck. I hope your girls feel better soon.
I am glad you gave your family a warning and let them decide for themselves. 4 years ago my SIL was hosting Thanksgiving but neglected to tell anyone that her 2 little boys had been sick with a stomach virus for 2 days before. We did not know anything until we got there, and then everyone ended up getting sick with the same thing within 48 hours. The whole rest of the family (us included) spent the rest of the weekend in total misery. Why take a chance?
I'd let everyone know the situation and if anyone offers to take over hosting I'd take them up on it. If you haven't come down with it yet there is a chance you may be sick by tomorrow.
Call your guests and be honest. Tell them they are welcome to come over at their own risk.
For your extended family's health ... get a raincheck on the xmas celebration.
Remember, the girls will be really tired and most likely wont feel up for a lot of company even if they are not throwing up anymore. Remember how weak you feel during and after the flu, that is how they feel... :( Really bad timing I know, but I would not subject them to so much right away. This happened to us on my daughters 2nd Bday last month, she got the flu about 2 days before her party, and we ended up canceling it because she seemed so weak.
I would inform them of their illness and let them decide if they want to come or not. This way you are not putting them in a bind and you are not ignoring the fact and getting everyone sick.
You already have an answer....and did what I would do. But DVMMOM is right!
You have to let others know.
15 years ago, my SIL and brother still brought their sick kids (stomach flu) to Christmas dinner and told everyone when they arrived that the kids had been sick earlier in the day but were feeling better, so they still came.
Reason: the kids would be heart broken if they didn't have a Christmas celebration.
Two days later we drove home, with my husband stopping to throw up at 2 rest stops along the way. My 4 yr old was sick for 3 days after we got home, but my one yr. old had to be hospitalized b/c of severe dehydration---he was sick for a week and lost over 10 % of his body weight. He was so dehydrated he couldn't cry tears...we couldn't keep a thing in his stomach and would throw up Pedialyte.
Yes, I have forgiven them...of course. But I still remember. I cannot forget all that my baby went thru that week because sick kids didn't stay to themselves until all clear.
If they have stopped vomiting, I would not cancel. You can also consult with the Patriarch or Matriarch of your family. Perhaps they can help out.
My father passed away on Christmas Eve many years ago. With heavy hearts, Christmas carried on!
I would cancel the dinner, I wouldn't want to get what they have.
Think of the others who are coming to your gathering. Do you want to be responsible for getting them sick? Could you go with a Plan B? Gathering together at someone else's house? Perhaps send the food and preparations you have done there? Your children probably won't be in the best of moods and you will be concerned that your youngest will vomit at the gathering putting a damper on the day.
"Reschedule" Christmas if you can. Better safe than sorry for everyone concerned. Even if they feel better, none of you would feel rested after all that, especially you - you're the one who has been taking care of everyone. Give yourself a break and take an extra day.
I'd let your guests know they are sick, incase they are avoiding flus. The kids will probably enjoy the festivities despite being sick. Give some gravol, and let them have fun.
I hate to tell you this but I would be worried that YOU will get this stomach flu next. My business partner had this a few weeks ago and was as horribly ill.. NO one was allowed around her..
you just cant cancel santa he comes wether your sick or not. but on the other one call and ask what everyone wants to do and go from there
I am reading this late but you did exactly what I would have done. I would have also just asked the undecided ones to let you know asap (whatever the decision is) so you can cook/not cook accordingly. Hope your girls feel better soon and no one else gets sick.
Maybe let the family decide if they want to take the risk? It will probably be fine.
