Stressed.....Daycare

I'd go somewhere else for care. Or maybe they can keep the kids inside while the mosquitos are so bad.

I'm sorry you're stressed. I do want suggest, respectfully, though, that your expectations may be unrealistic. If you choose to send your children to a daycare where the outside area is grassy, then your kids will come home with mosquito bites. A summer lawn will not, cannot, ever be bug-free. And, honestly, I'd probably be more concerned about the health effects of some of the harsh bug repellents / lawn stuff that are on the market than about the bites themselves.

Instead, as someone suggested, it sounds like your kids have a medical-grade sensitivity to mosquito bites. I have this to some extent (though it's not as bad as it was when I was a child), and when I get bitten, it's not pretty. What I recommend, instead, is that you take your kids to the pediatrician NOW, while they still have these big ugly bites. You may be able to get a prescription-strength but repellent, something stronger and safer than what's available OTC.

Best wishes,

Mira

The mosquitos are so bad here I think the only thing your provider could do is not take the kids outside at all. I was getting bit while walking the dog this morning!!! Our yard does not have standing water and our bushes are trimmed and there is no sitting outside right now. With all the rain we have had the mosquitos are bad now. When I had a family daycare it was the parents respondsibility to apply bug spray before dropping off there child in the morning and if they wanted it applied later in the day I would need a signed permission slip.

I don't know this would not be a deal breaker for me. They can put the top notch bug repellent on and do everything you are asking they do with their yard and your children could still get bit. I don't necessarily think a bug bite or two or three is so disturbing. If anything, it might be better if you just ask if she can keep your kids indoors, that really is the best defense.

My first thought when reading your post - we haven't been outside much this summer unless we're at the pool because 1) it's too dang hot in VA and 2) the bugs are crazy!! We have a pretty typical yard, not a crazy amount of trees, mulch, etc. But the mosquitos are terrible!!!!!! I don't know if there is anything I could do about it even if I wanted to. My kids went out the other day to jump on the trampoline and came running back in ten minutes later screaming about bugs biting them. In my opinion, it's just summer time thing. Maybe your kids are extra sensitive to bug bites? I have one daughter who barely gets bit at all, and another who gets bit all over the place (and those bites swell up, the way you described on your kids) Anyway, I just thought I'd give you an outsiders view. Even if they spray their yard and the kids, summer is just full of bugs. If you really like the daycare provider in all other ways I'd reconsider pulling them out. I'm sure you know how hard it is to find good care. Would it be possible to drench your kids in bugspray before you drop them off? That's what I always do when I know my kids are going to be outside. Good luck!

I understand you're stressed but from an outsider's point of view, you're getting so angry is kind of unfounded. If you don't like this daycare bc of how they're handling the bugs, then take your kids out. The daycare doesn't really "owe" you anything. It's a free country. You don't like how they run things, find another daycare. I understand finances are tough so if you're frustrated and disappointed, that's normal. But try to take a step back and separate your emotions. If this daycare has other students and they're fine, then it's kind of your problem. If all the kids there are getting bitten so badly that all the kids are pulled out, then it becomes the daycare owners' problem and they no longer have a business. I hope it all gets resolved but I'd take a very cooperative approach with the owners if you want to keep your kids there...

Take pictures of the children's bites. Take it with a camera that has a date on it (so she can't accuse you of "faking" the pics or whatever).

If she is a licensed daycare (licensed with the state), call and ask if you can share feedback on this--that you have repeatedly asked them to take care of the problems and they has not.

Hire a nanny--you have 3 kids, so hiring a nanny may not be that expensive, since a) you'd save on gas and b) you'd save on time since the nanny would come to your home.

It wouldn't take much to fix the issues. The standing water and rough patches/long grass are the biggest concern--they are an actual health concern because they can carry West Nile Virus, for example; rough patches/brush/tall grass invite snakes (wood piles, especially for ratterles if you have rattlesnakes in your part of the country), mice, rats, possums, raccoons, etc., which also cause other health concerns. Not to mention, the kids playing in that environment.

If this is an ongoing, and worsening issue that they are not resolving, I think pulling the kids is the best thing to do.

Have you discussed it with other parents whose children attend the daycare? Are their children getting bitten too? Perhaps you all could apply some pressure as a group.
That's my only suggestion. To be completely honest I think your expectations about their yard are a little unrealisitc. If you are unsatisfied, you should find another daycare. It's not like you are being forced to send your children there. I hear you about the cost but...what can you do. And as affordable as their current daycare is, do you really want to continue sending them there when it sounds like your relationship with the providers is going downhill?

This is very serious in my opinion and your concern is really valid. I don't know about Illinois, but I am in Omaha, NE, and they are telling people here to avoid spending great amount of times outdoors at dusk and dawn because of mosquitos, West Nile virus and such, especially because of all the flooding on the MO River this summer. I would keep at them to fix this problem. I hate conflict too, but sometimes it just cannot be avoided. This is their business after all and it is their responsibility to keep your children in safe surroundings at all times. I would also take your children to the doctor or at least call just to make sure nothing else is going on with those bites. Who knows what kind of bites they could be, ticks, spiders, etc. All of those can cause serious illness. I don't mean to scare you, but just want to validate that you are not overreacting on this. I would be looking for alternate care for my kids, if I was in this situation. Good luck!
A.

It sounds like the daycare doesn't have your child's best interest at heart. If they aren't willing to fix standing water in the yard??? That is crazy---its an accident waiting to happen-let alone a calling card for mosquitos!!!! Change care if they wont budge. You aren't being taken seriously. It wouldn't be worth it to me to leave my kids anywhere that wasn't top notch and who wanted to work with me. GL

M

Mosquitos are everywhere. I don't think that moving them back to another center will prevent them from getting bites when outside.

Since your kids swell so easily like mine, perhaps talk to a dr. or allergist about giving them some Benedryl prior to playtime or using the Benedryl after-bite pen to apply to the skin after.

As for being outside at daycare, I would request that your kids only be allowed on the screen porch, if one is available, or not be allowed out back.

M.

I don't know if these work, what about those bug repelling bracelets? Are they kid safe? put one around each of their ankles. That way, you've ensured a measure of protection that you can be confident they have.

I have a question for you. If you were home all day, every day, with your kids do you think you could do a better job of preventing the mosquito bites?

You can't control mother nature. Everyone has their own ideas of what's causing the mosquito issue, what exactly is a bad mosquito problem, and how to remedy the problem.

The daycare provider doesn't seem unreasonable, and she can only do so much. You, yourself said that your area had a mosquito issue. You have the choice to work it out with her or move your kids. While I feel for your kids & their swollen bites, it's really not the provider's fault that they happened.

I agree that they should be willing to take "house-keeping" measures at the very least...I'm not big on the sprays.

If they won't address the issue, I don't think you have a choice but to make other arrangements.

they may not be only mosquito bites...

I would take my kids out...they health and safety mean more to me...

yeah - it will suck on finances - is there something you can cut? cable? cell? not sure - but if the provider will not do a better job in ensuring my kids safety and health because they won't clear or spray - simple things really - then that's their problem and THEIR loss of income...simple...if they want your money - they need to do something about your complaints.

Is there a reason that you can't spray your kids before you take them to care? If you know the problems in the yard exist ( and I'm not minimizing those... dirty sand in the sandbox is gross, and standing water is just irresponsible), I'd take it upon myself to do what I could for my kids. I mean, if this is the only issue, it doesn't seem that tough to fix.

I am extremely prone to mosquito bites. It doesn't matter where I am or how many there are. If there is ONE in a room it will come and bite me. My son is the same way. My daughter and husband never get bitten as much. Some people just have the scent or emit more Co2 or whatever. I just take for granted that I have to be responsible for protecting myself. It's the risk you take by being outside.

Are other parents having the same problem?

Good luck~

I would put my kids elsewhere - you and your husband are clearly not happy with the situation. I would find money somehow. Yard sales, extra jobs, ebay, cutting the budget. I would make it work. Get hubby on board too.

If I told you how much we pay in day care each month for three kids, you'd vomit. But, it is so worth it to have that peace of mind. You cannot put a price on that.

If these people have your children there all day with them, they have a responsiblity to remove standing water and wood and all the other ridiculous items in their yard. That is NOT an unreasonable request. It is common sense.

Take the kids out and don't feel bad for one second. You and your husband are a team and you CAN and WILL figure out what to do with the kids. You won't look back after you do it, I promise you. The fact that these people haven't already fixed the problem AND that they don't think there is a problem is ridiculous. You can do so much better.

Call the licensing worker for your county and report the offense. It is a safety issue and they need to have it come from the bosses mouth. If they are risking their license to care for kids by not cleaning up the yard they might take time to do it. But, you need to be patient.

Give the kids some Bendryl, just a half dose of the liquid and their swelling will be gone. If it is that bad then your yard must be hard to enjoy too with them next door. Maybe some sort of spray that makes a large area more safe? You could sray towards their yard every morning before you leave if it would last long enough. I have seen them on TV where they spray the area before they have a BBQ in thier back yard or something. You might try those bug things that hook to the belt. They are pretty good on adults so kids would be even more protected.

There are wonderful things called thermacell mosquito repellers. They aren't too expensive and they work. If this is the only problem would you be willing to send these with your kids. They would cover a pretty big area.

I run a daycare in a rural river bottom area and mosquitos are a problem we deal with too. I would have to agree with you and this issue. If you are providing the spray then they should be applying it. This does sound like an legitimate issue to me and I think you have every right to pursue it.

We use a commercial spray to keep the popular down and there have been several days when we only go outside for short periods during the heat of the day to keep the mosquito problem at a minimum.

I think you should continue to pursue this, but be ready to accept the fact that you cannot force them to do anything and you may have to take your business elsewhere for the safety of your children.

I would consider reporting them as well, but only after you have talked to the owners and given them the chance to rectify the problem.

Good Luck