My son/daughter is sick....what do I do?

When your son/daughter isn't feeling well and they are away from home, it's probably as hard for them as it is for you! Not being able to take their temperature, make chicken soup or accurately gauge if this is a cold, flu virus or something more can be very hard for parents who have children away from home for the first time. But don't worry - there are lots of resources and people available to help your son/daughter.

Here are a few suggestions for when you get the text...."Mom, I'm not feeling well."

1 - First and foremost, assume that your son/daughter WILL get sick at least once during their academic year at college. Students who have roommates and are without mom or dad reminding them to wash their hands are notorious for spreading germs...and quickly! Thames faculty and staff know that as soon as the first student shows signs of sniffling and sneezing we bring out our PSPK (Personal Sickness Prevention Kit)....Airborne and Purell!

2 - Please don't overreact. Students develop a runny nose and may call home to inform you that they have the flu. Always ask about their symptoms and then make an informed decision using your mom or dad instincts.

3 - Encourage your son/daughter to go to the Heath & Wellness Office. This office is located in the Yarnall Athletic Center (gym building off of Dibiasi Drive). If your son/daughter is too sick to walk there, they can call Campus Safety who will drive to Thames Academy and pick up your student to bring them to Health & Wellness. The nurse practitioner is on duty weekdays from 9am-5pm and, if necessary, a physician will see students on campus on an as needed basis. If your son/daughter is sick in the evening hours, help them judge if their condition is mild enough to wait until the morning. In extreme cases, students may choose to be admitted to the Emergency Room at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital (one mile from campus on Montauk Ave).

4 - Please notify your student's academic advisor that he/she is not feeling well. The advisor can relay this information to instructors and residence life staff. Although, if your son/daughter has a roommate he/she will usually tell Thames staff and all of the other students that your son/daughter is not feeling well long before we receive an email from you. News of a student illness, similar to germs, spread very quickly in our building.

5 - Encourage your son/daughter, when feeling better, to contact his/her instructors and obtain any assignments or class notes that he/she may have missed. It is important for your son/daughter to realize that sick days in college are not free passes to avoid responsibility. As surprising as it may sound, some students believe the world stops when they do not feel well. Please reassure them that they will be fine in just a few hours (or days) and you are proud of them for taking care of themselves away from home!

Give yourself a pat on the back too for surviving your son/daughter's illness away from home!