Sick Child/Working Mom--Balance?

Question

I started a new job about 4 months ago. My 18 month old son has been sick off and on for a month now (and is home sick again today). How do you balance the time off and giving your all when you are there? I do not want my employer to feel that I am using my child as an excuse to stay home from work.

Answer 1

This is something you will ALWAYS run into until they are in high school! As a mom, I can never shift my sick child onto someone else to take care of! She needs ME! At the same time, I have NO sick time stored up because I stay home with her at least once a month!

The best recommendation I have is to talk to your employers about it openly (in the interview if you can!) and just let them know that you are a primary care giver and you need the flexibillity to be able to take care of your child. Sometimes part of your work can be done from home, or you can work to make up your hours at different times. The only way to find out is to open the doors of communication.

Answer 2

I feel your pain. I am getting ready to change jobs and have an 18 month old. It is tough. Even the job I have now with lodas of time off has been stretched by trying not to send him to day care sick. I think we all do the best we can to raise a happy child who feels loved and nurtured. Sometimes that means calling in sick and sometimes (like when your child is the last to get the bug going around the school) you have to send them. Even our pediatrician tells me to send my son sick since "he got it at day care so no harm in going back". I don't always do that but still, it is very difficult. I just try to make my son the priority when I am home-he is tops over everyone/thing else. My day revolves around him (in reason). We watch Nogn a bit, stay in our jammies and build with blocks, or color, or paly trucks-what he likes to do. That way he can see that when mommy is home he is the most important thing in my world. We go to the store together and talk about what we can eat for dinner and what we get to make that dish, we talk about the color of the cars on the street. I just make things as fun for him as possible. And I wonder what I used to do with all my free time before I had a baby?!?

Answer 3

That really depends on your employer. Some are understanding and some aren't'. If they aren't' you may need to find someone to take care of him sometimes when he's sick, either daddy, or another relative.
I worked in a doctors office that was very understanding about these things, but I worked somewhere else that was supposedly family oriented and they only gave you 6 sick days a year. They said it wasn't their fault you had kids and to give more time punishes the people that don't have kids (family oriented my @ss). I ended up quiting that one and staying home after that.

Answer 4

I have had serious issues with my kids being sick now that I've gone back to work.

If your child has something that can be prevented, use it. I was usually having to go pick my kids up to deal with asthma problems, and now they're on preventative meds, and the school has a nebulizer and their meds for that, so I don't have to leave work for those issues anymore unless it's REALLY bad.

Also, my husband is wonderful, and we take turns going to get the boys if they have to be picked up. He has more flexible working hours than I do, so he can take off some time and make it up later, or use vacation time, which I don't get yet.

Try to find someone who you can call to possibly take care of your child while you're sick.

If you're lucky, you have an understanding boss. Mine knows that my kids are little, and that they have some health issues and I have no choice but to go get them sometimes. My bosses also understand that I would MUCH rather be here working than taking care of a sick child, because that is NOT fun.

It's stressful, but it can get better if you have some backup plans.

Answer 5

More and more companies are moving to Personal time, which is to be used as the employee sees fit. In this situation, employees aren't asked why they aren't going to be there, as long as they have the time. Some have even gone so far as to give employees "Sick of Work" days when they can just call in for no reason. I think, however, if you make the point to your supervisor (and especially in our germ phobic culture) that employees who come in sick actually cost the company money (because more employees get sick and therefore stay out) maybe they will change the policy and start telling people "keep your germs at home".

Answer 6

Your child is number one. Maybe you should line up with a babysitter or friend or family member who doesn't work to help take care of your child.
Most employers are parents too, they know what it's like to have a sick child, it's not fun. I think they'll be quite understanding, but try and find another alternative for your child if your employer confronts you.

Answer 7

Are you a single mother or is there a father involved? My son used to get sick all the time with ear infections. My ex and I would take turns staying home with him, even though we weren't married anymore. Can the father stay with him once in a while? What about a relative?

Answer 8

Do you have any family nearby? The sad truth is missing alot of work because of a sick child can get you in hot water. Unless the situation calls for the family medical leave act(cancer). If it is just colds, sniffles and you are missing too many days at work you could lose your job.

Answer 9

Ask a sister, grandparent, relative, etc. to care for him some days. Get a doctor's not to show to your boss if you really think it's an issue. Tell your husband to stay home sometimes too. I hope your kid is okay!

Answer 10

employers have children and they understand. people get sick and kids get sick. nothing you can do about it. however, your daycare will still take them as long as they are not running a fever, vomiting or diarrhea. well, mine does. your laws might be different.