Working and sick child - how do you cope?

[MargotThreadbetter]

Hi all. I'm sitting at home with my 2 year old DS who is a little unwell (conjunctivitis) and the nursery won't take him.
How do you manage as a lone parent when your child is sick?
I used to have a career. My new employer has already extended my probation as I'm not performing well, although I work very hard. With my DS catching every bug going I'm worried that I may be 'let go'.
The only person I can ask to have him is my dad but he's 70 and can't really cope with a toddler all day.
My mum is terminally ill and obviously can't take him either. I'm at a loss - how do 2 parents manage, let alone lone parents?

[Isittimeforxmasnamechangeyet]

I haven't got any advice but I know what your going through in the last month I've had at least ten days off because of my dcs being sick.
I'm lucky that my manager is quite understanding she offered me a few hours over the weekend and exdp wouldn't look after them as he was going to a party it's unfair but our dcs will thank us eventually until then just try and muddle through.

[Mia1415]

It's really tough. My little boy has asthma & ends up in A&E every time he has a cold. I'm really lucky as my boss is really understanding but that's mainly as I've worked there so long & they know what I was like before having him (workaholic!). I'd quite like a new job nearer home but the thought of having a not so understanding boss really puts me off.

[umbrellabird]

It is so hard isn't it Margo. I am feeling so low. Have just posted a poem up above this thread. I think there needs to be a lot more flexibility for mothers to work from home, or jobs created so they can!
Just know that there are many of us going through the same thing.

[cestlavielife]

its hard but you need to try and find emergency child care/have people on standby...so call emergency nanny agency
emergency child-minder - check out who is local and their availability
get to know a babysitter well so that they might manage on occasions etc

take as leave unpaid

call working families ere your rights and legal aspects

www.workingfamilies.org.uk/

[MaryC123]

I'm very lucky, my employer is very accommodating. I flex my hours and can work from home if needed.

[beeny]

There is an organisation called emergency childcare.

[sleepdodger]

Me
Dh
Friend

Caviat is that Dh works away a lot and I can't leave sick Ill with friend due to her kids - I'd hate to infect them!!
Can you work at home at all? Do what you can during day and log on again at night?
Is dc parent around at all- weekend dad also has to do sick shifts too
Sorry if that's not possible at all

It's tough, really tough, they do grow more immune but it's not quick
You might find a cm more flexible than a nursery?

[ExtraVolume]

I am dreading this. I live in an isolated part of the country, no emergency nannies here, childminders are all oversubscribed so can pick and choose their hours and no way his dad will take time off. Only other people I know have small children so don't want an infected child visiting.

I was talking to some mums about how to manage and they said just say you are sick.

[LadySybilLikesCake]

Ds was a puker. I've lost jobs because I've needed to take time off with him, there was no one else to look after him. There is 'time off for dependents' legislation but not all employers follow it. I work from home now, so it doesn't impact my work, but it's been a real struggle.

[SantaOnFanta]

It's so hard, child has been off sick so much lately. I just can't juggle my balls.

[AlwaysFullOfQuestions22]

When i was a lone parent.
I called in sick. Every time. No alternative to wfh back then. Sometimes they alowed me to change a day.
I was on warnings and everything..

One old manager used to have a go and say, seriously how many illnesses can a 4yr old have.
He then had twins.. Say no more.

I ended up quitting once met dh and maternity ended.