Is It Rude to Send a Child Home from Playing If You Find Out They Have Pink Eye?

It isn't rude but I hope you handled it well. I have had a child come over to play and he had pink eye. But didn't know what it was and mom had no experience with it. I would have called the mom, or gone over and spoken to her, ask if she knows and let her know the child can come over after treatment.

There are a couple of "oh hell no's" at my house: Lice, pink eye, impetigo, hand/foot/mouth, and scabies. Those are all deal-breakers for me! I'd confirm with mom, though, just to be sure. My son walks around and tells people stuff is wrong with him that isn't all the time (he is delayed) - I'm always like "no, he isn't sick, no he isn't dying, yes he can play, no he doesn't have hantavirus . . ."

No, as long as you verified with one of her parents that she has pink eye and not just a "pink eye" from allergies. Since she'd already been on the premises for a few hours (vs. standing at the front door), I probably would have called her house to ask the details: "Susie just told me she has pink eye and needs a cold cloth. What's up?" If she said, "Oh, she's not contagious" then you could probe for more info (like, "Why not?) or what meds she'd been on or whether she really needs a cold cloth. If she just wanted attention and her pink eye was 2 weeks ago, that's something else again.

Otherwise, there's no reason she should be in your house or her school, and there's no reason to feel bad about your decision.

No you are not a jerk!! Pink eye is so darn contagious! Shame on her Mom for letting her play with your kids while infected!! She should know better! They don't even let you in school with pink eye!! Go disinfect everything she touched!

No you are not a jerk.
Her mom was rude for allowing her to go out and play while she has a highly contagious disease.
I know doctors offices who would rather deal with you over the phone than to have someone with pink eye to come into their waiting room.
It's that contagious.
Disinfect everything, have everyone wash their hands a lot, and cross your fingers that you are all lucky and don't come down with it.

Nope. Her mom is a jerk for sending her kid over with such a contagious sickness.
I would have called her mother. "Hey Sue. You sent over Sally knowing she has pink eye! I hope my kids don't get it. In the future, if Sally is sick, please don't send her over"

Not as long as you where not having an attitude when you told her. That is something that is very contagious. Most kids to grasp that concept. You don't need your boys getting it. That is if they have not already gotten it after playing with her for 2 hours.

I love how everyone here bashes the mom when you haven't even spoken to her yet and confirmed that this kid actually has pink eye.
Of course it's not rude to send home a contagious child but honestly why wouldn't you just speak to the mother first?

Not a jerk! I would have called the mom or taken her home right away. I would be miffed, as I cannot believe this mom did not know what she was doing sending a contagious kid to your house!

It's all how you handle it. I don't think anything is rude so long as you handle it with kindness and are delicate.

Who wants pink eye? No one. We've had it. It's not pleasant. She shouldn't have been allowed over.

If you can't go to school - in my books - you don't go to friends' houses. That's our rule. Sniffles, one thing. Contagious stage - nope. Worse we had was a neighbor who came over who had the chills and sweats and was coughing up gook. Parents weren't even home so couldn't send him home. Just arrived that way.

Some people are that clueless. This kid's mother was a nurse. Go figure.

Was it diagnosed by a doctor? Or did she get told she has pink eye by her mom or someone? I often get red gunky eyes but it's due to dry eyes and allergies. It's not contagious.

If the girl was indeed diagnosed by a doc as having pink eye the parents were rude to allow her to come over in the first place.

No, they are irresponsible for sending her over.