Daycare and the Plague

When baby Chalal started going to day care a few months ago, it seemed perfect. A few partial days a week, socialization, different toys, etc. etc. I mean, this was the *best* daycare in town, and we had somehow lucked out and gotten him in, and he loved it!

As I burbled on about our great great joy, a colleague smirked at me and said, "Oh, so he'll be sick for a year."

No, surely not. I mean, yes, he will meet and greet some new germy playmates, build up his immunity, get some sniffles. But not sick for an entire year, straight. (In my mind, day care was going to be his cowpox - a little discomfort now to avoid lots of illness and whining when he hit kindergarten.)

But they didn't warn me about Break Week.

You see, care designed for children of grad students takes into account the academic calendar. After Finals, there's a "Break Week" when students may or may not have to hang around campus, and thus may or may not need childcare.

Since there are fewer children in need of care, they combine the two "Littles" groups into one room.

Yup. Combined.

New kids.

New germs.

At the height of cold and flu season.

Right before winter break.

Picture a tired mom with a nasty cold, in a house with two other people with a nasty cold, after a week of all having the nasty cold together in close quarters. Can't go out and see friends or family, because we wouldn't want to give them the cold. Can't go outside because it's cold, and you're all sick. Can't even go out to the store or get the oil changed or order takeout, because, that's right - everything's closed on Christmas.

Oh, did I mention that the food I got to cook for us over the last few days went bad? So we were living on cereal and cheesy toast. Mmmm.

Thanks, day care folks! You sadistic bastards.

Chalal and I are now (mostly) recovered, just the hacking cough to get rid of. Bad Cohen is going to the doctor today to test for strep. And whatever other gunk is going on.

Whee!

(G-d am I glad to be back at work)