'We paid for it': I want to pick up food from childcare when my kid is off sick

"This is like asking for nappies they would have used if they went," one mum wrote, while another said, "They're not a takeaway restaurant!"

In the Sydney Mums Facebook group, a woman recently sparked debate when she asked fellow parents for their opinions on asking for food from her kids’ childcare centre when they’re off sick.

While some parents supported the idea, appreciating the convenience and the fact she’s already paid for it, others responded with judgment and slammed the mum for her 'socially unacceptable' idea. 

Want to join the family? Sign up to our Kidspot newsletter for more stories like this. 

RELATED: Mum does the unthinkable at Disney World

"We just live nearby"

In the post, the woman said that requesting food from daycare when her children are sick would save her time - something all parents are looking for when their little ones aren’t well.

She wrote: “Hi mums, I'm wondering if it's okay to ask the childcare centre if I can pick up food when my children are sick and can't attend childcare, as we are still paying the fee and we just live nearby.

“It would save us time to prepare food.”

The comment section quickly became a battleground of different views.

One camp urged the mum to go for it, while others vowed they would “never” do this.

Image: IStock

RELATED: Daycare over diagnoses everything and it's costing us

"It’s like asking for nappies they would have used if they went."

“Personally, I would never do this,” one woman said. “This is lazy,” wrote another member.

“Ooo… I feel this is a social no,” added someone else. “I get what you're saying but if they have a cook it’s usually made in big batches and then served to the kids or even kids serve it themselves. I’d feel weird about it.”

Then this woman wrote: “Absolutely not,” while another chimed in saying, “I’ve never heard of this happening.”

And someone else said, “It’s like asking for nappies they would have used if they went.”

Another made this point: “Not really because in childcare food is kept at specific temperatures and correct food handling is paramount if the food leaves the premises it is automatically considered contaminated. 

“Not to mention that they’re not a takeaway restaurant, it would also be quicker to make something than get a sick child in the car and drive to get it. If they’re sick they’re better off with simple bland foods at home rather than full meals.”

Another mentioned, “I know it’s not fun to pay for something you can’t use, ie when kids are sick, public holidays etc but it is how it goes so you can hold the spot.”

"The worst they can do is say no"

Thankfully other mums came to the OP's defence, applauding her for her idea while also offering their own words of advice. 

“To all the people that said not to ask and throw her under the bus... the OP probably won't call the school and a CHILD might go hungry. Good on you. Maybe think a little before responding next time. Nothing like a village that shoots you down,” one person remarked.

And someone else hit back at the critics saying, “This is a lesson in humanity, maybe the real message behind this is, the family are struggling. Turn your humanity on for Pete's sake. Why can't people these days show compassion? It was a simple question. Why not offer support and ask ‘ARE YOU OK?’”

Then this woman told the mum, “The worst they can say is no, so there’s no harm in asking,” while others wrote, “This is actually a brilliant idea,” and “I’ll be asking my daycare about this too, smart thinking!”

Someone else said supportively, “Of course absolutely ask! It’s not just about money it’s the hassle of having to prepare an extra meal when you’ve already got a sick child. I don’t see why you can’t, they have more than enough for everyone anyway.”

And then another member added: “Think it’s a very reasonable question. As you say, you’re paying for the full services even though you’re not using them. Makes sense to me.”

“In the current times of increased living costs, I think this is fair. Your childcare fees include meals so I don't think it unreasonable to ask,” read another comment.

"As a childcare worker, I'd love to support parents in this way"

“Doesn’t hurt to ask. If you’re struggling to prepare food with sick kids at home to look after too, you can talk to the centre. I wouldn’t phrase it as ‘We’re still paying the fee’. You could offer to bring your own containers and wear a mask. Sometimes even if they want to help out, they can be constrained by rules.”

Then this woman shared this anecdote: “My friend did this when her son was sick. They provided all the snacks and food for the day that they would have given him if he attended.

“It should really be a thing, you've paid for the care and just because your child can't go to school, sometimes mum or dad will still need to work while keeping the child at home, picking up the food will help with looking after the child at home. 

“You know what's embarrassing and disappointing though, some of the comments here… I'm very disappointed at the mums and harsh comments. It's a genuine question.”

And another agreed saying their childcare did this for them as well, “My daycare centre actually offered to bring lunch to my child when I phoned in sick for him. They know I’m a solo mum and I think they just wanted to make sure I had food in the house and didn’t have to traipse him to the shops unwell. I loved them even more for the kind gesture.”

“Hello, childcare worker (and mum too) I would absolutely love to be able to support any of my parents in this way. I’m actually feeling awful that I didn’t think of offering this a few times when it would’ve really helped someone,” commented someone else. 

Originally published as 'We paid for it': I want to pick up food from childcare when my kid is off sick