Please visit me in jail

I was reading the school policy on attendance a few days ago. I couldn't help feeling a bit overwhelmed by the concept of any child missing 5 days or more in a semester being evaluated for truancy.

I have 4 kids in the public school system. I'm a dead ringer for truancy.

I have always been baffled by the "Don't send your child to school sick." principle verses the "Your child can't miss 5 days of school." law.

Other parents get all twisted up over this as well.

When one of my girls get sick....she acts as a "Typhoid Mary" for the rest of us. All of us get it sequentially.

Let's take for example the puking thing. Each child spends 2 days puking and becoming mildly dehydrated. They then take 2 days to recover. That's 4 days.

HELLO HANDCUFFS!!!!!

This leaves no room for asthma, Strep, influenza, croup, obnoxious coughing...etc..etc..

I....and most of you don't go to the doctor for all of these things(thank goodness that some of you do or I wouldn't have a job).

But... The school wants a medical excuse for absenses in excess of a few days.

It leaves me baffled. I'm a doctor who can't conceive of a child sitting through class feeling horrible. How can they learn?

That said... I understand that some kids just refuse to attend school. I get that there should be a policy for kids that don't go because they are too tired or they think school rules don't apply to them.

My 10 year old, Liza, is really smart. She's been listening to me triage calls from parents for years. She comes out sometimes in the AM holding her neck and screaming " My SPLEEN!!!!!
My spleen has meningitis.. I may DIE..."

I promptly send her to school.

That said, she is also the one with asthma and chronic urinary infections and has been hospitalized at least 5 times. I always err on the side of keeping her home to avoid the possibility that she isn't "crying wolf".

Kids who have been at home vs daycare prior to entering school are sick ALL the time!!! They get at LEAST 2 colds per month... Each lasting about 10 days.

Public schools in WV also have full day preschool 4 days per week. Darby goes this year. Talk about a germ factory!!! You can't send a sick 4 year old to school!! She is held to the same standard as the rest though as far as attendance!!!

Attendance is the single most important thing as far as school success.....I get it...but kids that are sick need TIME to recover.

So... Enough venting... What to do?

If your child has a chronic condition then meet with the guidance counsellor. Explain that your child may need to be absent in certain situations. Let the school know that you are invested in the education of your child and that you think attendance is important!!

Ask your pediatrician to write a letter documenting your child's illness if chronic.

For a malingering child who doesn't want to attend.....it can be rough. First, figure out why your child doesn't want to go. Is it bullying? Does she feel too tired? Could it be a problem with the teacher? Is it a problem with learning or attention? FIND OUT and address it.

I'm still a little overwhelmed. I have one kid down most of the time. I forget to call in most of the time...and even though I work in a doctor's office... I forget the damn excuse.

Again, please visit me in jail if the truancy police come knocking!!!