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Sick child | 3 comments (3 topical, 0 hidden)

[new] Experience but no answers (none / 0) (#2)
by halewis on Wed Apr 28, 2004 at 08:22:40 AM PDT

Sometimes I've cancelled classes -- my husband and I try to take turns, and I also try to build a few days leeway into every schedule (a couple optional topics or making every class day before exams a review/catch-up day) so that if I have to cancel a class I'm OK. A couple times last year I brought a not-too-sick 2-year old to my classes with me. Both times it was just a review day, and I'd made up review handouts, so I thought having a child in the class wouldn't be too disrupting. The first day was fine -- we got through everything and the students enjoyed it. The second day was AWFUL; we barely got through the material, and it was way too distracting having him around. I apologized to the students and never brought him again. They were very gracious and I didn't get any negative feedback from this, but I think that's because I acknowledged that it didn't work and it was a one-time thing. I might also have had leeway in their eyes because it was a majors class and they knew him (I bring my kids to social functions). I don't know where that leaves me. With older kids I'd risk bringing them to class again if necessary, or paying a student to watch them during class (I've known other people who have done this successfully). And if I knew ahead of time I could ask a colleague to cover my classes, but sickness doesn't always give much warning. I don't feel like I have good answers for this.

Sick child | 3 comments (3 topical, 0 hidden)

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