Mum slams parents who bring sick kids to school

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One mother has taken to Instagram with a plea for parents to reconsider sending their stuffy-nosed and feverish children to school - especially if they are aware they're sick!

Maria Jordan MacKeigan shared a photo of her daughter Jordan Grace to show other parents would could happen if she catches, what most would call 'the common cold.'

'I took Jordan Grace home. When my child gets the simple cold she may end up like this! I can’t for the life of me understand why people would put others at risk ‘because they have so many things to do’', she wrote.

MacKeigan’s daughter has Down syndrome, and one side effect of this disorder is a compromised immune system, meaning even a simple winter cold can result in serious illness.

I love my little family!!

MacKeigan captioned a photo: 'For your information, school is not the babysitting club. Not only are others at risk but your own child needs you to cuddle them, to love them, to care for them back to health. When Jordan Grace is sick, I think of her first, and how miserable she would be at school.

'But I also think of others, I don’t want my child to go get others sick, especially those who may end up in the hospital because their little bodies can’t fight the sickness off on their own.'

CLARIFYING AGAIN! If you read my post carefully and without judgement, I specify this frustration was towards a parent who doesn't work, but "has things to do" and used the school system as the babysitting club! I understand I will get a lot of criticism, but please read before you reply to me like I don't know what work responsibilities are! * SORRY. I need to clarify. Jordan Grace is healthy, other children are at school completely sick because their parents "have things to do" not a job, just "things to do"!!! * * Tears and anger both flowed for me at school today. I took Jordan Grace home. When my child gets the simple cold she may end up like this! I can't for the life of me understand why people would put others at risk "because they have so many things to do" (FYI school is not the babysitting club) not only are others at risk but your own child needs you to cuddle them, to love them, to care for them back to health. When Jordan Grace is sick, I think of her first, and how miserable she would be at school. How she needs her mama by her side caring for her. But I also think of others, I don't want my child to go get others sick especially those who may end up in the hospital because their little bodies can't fight the sickness off on their own. * * * If we cared more about the world around us and not just ourselves this world would be a much better place!

The Canadian mum-of-two received plenty of praise from her followers, with many parents agreeing that the classroom is not a place for sick children.

'I totally agree. I am currently sleeping in my living room with Emelina because my 5-year-old is coughing a lot at night. I am so afraid Emelina will start coughing too,' one commenter wrote.

Another added, 'We definitely know this frustration. We want to do everything in our power to keep them from getting sick. We have had to turn down many visits from friends and family for this reason.'

However, not everyone agreed.

'If I kept Emmy home for every runny nose we would literally not leave the house for nine months out of the year… I’ve just decided that we can’t protect our kids from everything so I’m not going keep my kids in a bubble,' one disagreeing commenter wrote.

With another adding, 'I see your point but you also have to look at it from the other side. Being a single mom that had to work a full time job, I didn’t have the convenience of keeping Joshua home at the start of every cold.'

The online debate saw many parents discussing whether it’s realistic to keep children home at the first sight of illness.

This article originally appeared on New Idea.