SIL question

[luvsviola]

SIL (young with no kids) was sick for the last two weeks with a bad cold/sinus infection, and on antibiotics. She got my kids (and us) sick after she babysat them. Two of the three are now on antibiotics for sinus infection/ear infections, which luckily the 5 year old has so far avoided. She didn't say a word about being sick, and showed up here hacking up a lung, but swore she was on antibiotics and I didn't have another sitter, so I had to roll with it.

Someone on Facebook asked if DS got it while he was at the hospital last week. I replied, "No, they caught it from Aunt T"

She wrote me this morning all miffed.

"I don't appreciate you blaming me for getting your kids sick.

1. I had a sinus infection, was on antibiotics, and washed my hands
often at your house
2. Ear infections are not contagious
3. I did not have the flu
4. If you don't want me to babysit just say so, it's not my fault your
kids got sick."


Do I write her back? Do I ignore her? She is the only person sick they've been around, and they have her exact same illness. She was the one who got them sick.

I feel like if I write her back, I'll only feed into the drama. I honestly could care less if she babysits again, but it is probably best not to burn bridges. She lives here in town, so we see them at family functions about once a month.

Would you write her back? What would you say?

[ivymama]

Don't write, call. Too much gets lost in translation via txt/fb whatever with these situations. Tell her you're sorry if your comment hurt her feelings. Germs get passed around, and its easy for kids do get sick even when we take precautions like handwashing. Say you appreciate that she was there to watch the kids. Then leave it alone and don't ask her to babysit again. No need to feed the drama, but it would be wise to 'bury the hatchet' and take the high road so that at least you know you did the right thing and don't have to feel uneasy when you see her. It's on her to accept the apology and act like a grown up herself.

Hope it works out and you can make peace! Family drama can be so tough!