Hello My son Fraser who has just turned 7 is off on a 2 night residential trip with his class in November, I know this is a little way away but this last week his asthma has been playing up particularly at night he has needed his inhaler several times during the night and I am just getting anxious about how he will cope at night on the trip, has anyone any experience or advise regarding overnight trips? My two older children have been on this trip and had a wonderful time and of course part of the whole experience is the sleepover, so although I could go and get him this wouldn't seem fair and he would resent this. The children sleep in rooms of approx 4 and the adults check them all until they are all settled, but Fraser never wants to ask for his inhaler and I am worried he will be coughing during the night and won't ask for help! At home I use a monitor at night and he never asks for his inhaler he just coughs and coughs until i go in and give him his inhaler, even thou i dont rush in he never asks!! Sorry to rant on, any ideas? Thanks Clare x
School residential trip!: Hello My son... - Asthma Community ...
School residential trip!
Hi Clarebear
I have recently had this discussion with my daughter's head as she too is supposed to be going on a residential this year. He told me that the school would work closely with me to ensure she was safe. However, this was before she had a major flare up. Only you know whether you are confident in the school's ability to provide the level of care your son needs. Also what is his history like at that time of year, does he tend to be worse? I have made the decision to explore the possibility of an Asthma UK holiday instead of sending my daughter on the school residential, which for her seems a safer option.
Good luck this is not an easy decision to make follow your instincts.
Hi Mummyj
Yes unfortunately it is the worse time of year for him, last year between September and March we had 5 or 6 hospital admissions. As you say it will be a case of go with your instinct when the time comes. Thanks for your reply.
Clare x
hi hon
Speak to his teacher/head and then make an informed decision.
gill
Tough one. Personally I wouldnt have let my son go on a residential trip when he was 7 because he was quite poorly at that stage. He's been on a number since then and on the whole coped well although he returned from one activity trip (aged 12) in a poor state. The teachers hadnt bothered to check him and he was encouraged to take part in all the sport when he wasnt up to it.
It's a very personal thing, but I would tend to err on the side of caution, especially if your son doesnt like asking for help. There will be plenty of other trips in the future. The Kick Asthma hols are brilliant by the way - my son has been on two now and absolutely loved them. The youngsters are VERY well looked after and the staff are great.
Thanks Angie that's good to know,
I will look at the info on AUK with regards to the holidays.
Clare X
Hi ya, my son has done residential trips with his school and because he has severe asthma I have asked for a meeting with the leader in advance so we can do their 'health and safety assessment risk', during the meeting we make a plan for what to do should his asthma kick off which is written up and goes with him on the trip. This helps to raise awareness of his asthma with the teachers and gives me reassurance that they will look after him.
The other alternative is that you go with him (if you have someone else to look after your other children) Which i have also done with great success. Good luck with this it is tricky as you don.t want him to be excluded but most importantly you also want him to be safe.
Hi Richmond
Thank you so much for your reply I shall start to look into both those options once the new term starts next week. He would be devastated not to go but as you say I need to be confident he is safe.
Thanks again, Clare
Hi,
When I was younger, I went away for a week with my school. They asked my dad to come with us, so there was someone there if my asthma did go off. I dont remeber feeling embarassed or anything like that because my dad was there. The other kids didnt bother with it at all, and they just treated hime like another leader that was with us and I got no bother from them.
Hope he can have a good time
Lindsay x
Aw Claire, this is such a toughie. I'm dreading having to make this decision too.
I think alot of the advice you've been given is spot on. Id consider going too. Or possibly giving the staff your monitor so they too can listen out in the night.
Massive hugs. Being a parent is a hooooge responsibility anyway but when your child has asthma, it complicates it tenfold.
Maddie starts preschool Wednesday and that's going to be tough enough as she's never been out of my sight. But it's ten times tougher for you with this one.
Hope you can come to a decision that you feel comfortable with.
Loads of love, Emily x
Aaaw thanks Emily. I hope all goes well on Wednesday and Maddie is able to enjoy pre-school, let me know. Make sure you plan to catch up with a friend or something so you get to benefit and are not fretting. Your right is it very hard at times to know what to do for the best.
Lots of love Clare Xx
Update!
Hi everyone
Thank you for all the replies, just thought I would let you know that my husband is going on the school trip now! Such a relief 
Clare
Well done Clare, best solution all round (hope your husband enjoys himself too!!).
Sounds like a good solution - and you get two nights without your husband and son - I prescribe ice-cream, chocolate, lovely bath smellies, etc. enjoy 
Thank you Angie he is not as enthusiastic as I am about it! But I am sure he will have a great time.
Thanks Ratty I promise to take all my prescription and enjoy every minute of it 
Clare x
overseas school trip
