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Day 4 of new job, sick baby.

17 replies

hearthattack · 22/09/2016 07:03

I started a new job Monday. DS has been to nursery and, predictably, picked up a horrible cold already. Been up all night with him waking every 40 mins or so coughing, and I didn't really sleep between listening to the poor little boy hacking away.

He's streaming snot and has a bit of a temperature. Awake for the day now and he's flirting between manically overtired and sadly weepy.

Today he's supposed to go to his grandma for the morning but I suspect she will say she can't have him because underlying health concerns means colds should be avoided. His Dad could stay home from work with him but when he's I'll he always just wants me.

Should I take a day off, four days into my new job, and look after him? Let his Dad stay home and go to work for a rest (after so little sleep I feel shocking and will be shit at work mind you)?

What am I supposed to do here? This working mother routine is gruelling.

He's 1 months old btw.

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DoItTooJulia · 22/09/2016 07:05

I was going to say let your partner stay home, but a poorly 4 week old baby? I'd be staying home.

Hope he's better soon. Flowers

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OliviaBenson · 22/09/2016 07:07

Let your partner do it. You could jeopardise your job if not. It will be good for them both.

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hearthattack · 22/09/2016 07:08

11 months old! Sorry-typo!

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hearthattack · 22/09/2016 07:09

11 months old! Sorry-typo!

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hearthattack · 22/09/2016 07:10

Bloody phone

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OutragedofLondon · 22/09/2016 07:10

Let your partner do it.

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Disappointednomore · 22/09/2016 07:11

Dad needs to do it. Don't jeopardise your job.

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Chippednailvarnishing · 22/09/2016 07:12

Tell your partner to stay home.

And just how often is a one month old ill?

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MrsA2 · 22/09/2016 07:12

I totally, 100% understand how hard it is to leave your sick baby - particularly for the first time - but at 11 months you should go to work and leave him with his Dad. Hope he's on the mend soon and lots of coffee for you Flowers

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Chippednailvarnishing · 22/09/2016 07:13

X post

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AtSea1979 · 22/09/2016 07:15

As a single parent I can tell you it doesn't get any easier. I have lost several jobs due to needing time off with DC for various minor illnesses.
However you have a partner so balance it out, he can take the time off and maybe you would consider your child going to nursery more so they can get in a routine better and if your child is ill with a cold they can go to nursery.

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Only1scoop · 22/09/2016 07:29

Don't miss work
Let dp take some time off

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BoaConstrictor · 22/09/2016 07:30

Go to work. You need to prove to them that you are serious about this job (if you are that it). Your DC will be absolutely fine at home with his dad & it will be good for both of them and you to realise that daddy can do this.
Having been in this situation, it is horrible and no doubt you'll spend the day thinking and worrying about them. However, my employer was impressed & after another occasion when I re-arranged childcare & things to help out in a crisis, we ended up with a great relationship where I was able to flex my work from time to time to fit around childcare issues. I realised that, as a working parent, the job has to work for both of you and, particularly if you have managed to negotiate part time hours in a traditionally full time role, you have to show a bit of give so you can also take when needed.

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wowbutter · 22/09/2016 07:31

This definitely is a day for your partner.
Get some coffee down you and get in to work.

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itlypocerka · 22/09/2016 07:57

How serious are you about this new job? Is this a relaunch of your career? Or something a bit more low-key? Because taking a day off 4 days in sends a clear message about your priorities which your employers will receive loud and clear even if they are kind enough not to act on it (a gittish employer can just let you go in the first 2 years without giving a reason and it would be very difficult to prove it was discrimination - but who wants to work for an organisation like that? They will fail to thrive by having decent people not wanting to work there. More insidious is where you are never exactly discriminated against but it just happens that you aren't picked for the exciting opportunities because you just aren't the right person. And that situation is what will be affected by what you do today.

Kids get ill. In the first 4 months of starting nursery your baby will probably be ill about 5 or 6 times. I would get his dad to stay at home today, and to generally take the hit for 2/3rds of such occasions while you are on probation, then half and half after that.

But it's valid to choose to stay at home yourself if you don't mind taking the risk that your employers might start labelling you, consciously or otherwise, as not to be taken seriously or considered reliable.

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hearthattack · 22/09/2016 08:23

Thanks all.

Got my shoes on and I'm heading out of the door. Think I knew the answer really but needed reassurance that I wasn't being neglectful by buggering off to work. At least I'll get a break there!

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BoaConstrictor · 22/09/2016 22:21

How did you all get on OP

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