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AIBU?

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Original poster

Am I being daft or is this OK? Go into the office or not?

62 replies

Houseofteenbots · 26/09/2024 07:59

My 16 year old was sick yesterday afterschool/work. He still doesn't feel well. I worked from home yesterday. It was scheduled that way. Today I'm down to work in the office. Due to do 10-6. My ds still doesn't feel well today and won't be going to school. I'm thinking of working from home today. Simply because if he's sick again he won't be sick in an empty house. Work are absolutely fine with it. They said I could take a day's unpaid parental leave if I wanted to despite knowing his age. Ds hasn't said much yet this morning but he's happy with this. Dh thinks its daft at his age and he'll be fine and I should go into the office. Yes of course he'll be fine but I just think everyone wants their mums if they're poorly no matter how old they are don't they? Whys that daft?

OP posts:
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Original poster
Houseofteenbots · 28/09/2024 09:16

Calamitousness · 27/09/2024 23:04

Get well soon. Hopefully it doesn’t develop into sickness. How lovely that your son is taking good care of you now.

Thank you! Yes he is a lovely caring young man. I'm very biased of course!

OP posts:
Calamitousness · 27/09/2024 23:04

Get well soon. Hopefully it doesn’t develop into sickness. How lovely that your son is taking good care of you now.

Original poster
Houseofteenbots · 27/09/2024 20:37

Ineedaholidayyyy · 27/09/2024 20:31

Absolutely not unreasonable, if I was one of your colleagues I would have rather worked from home than come in the office and potentially spread a sickness bug! Looks like you've caught it now so your colleagues will thank you for staying away from the office.

I don't know why anyone would take the piss for a mother wanting to look after her child whist they were ill, whether they are 6 or 16. Thats just mean to me, you sound like a lovely mum, sorry to hear you are unwell, but atleast your son is taking care of you now.

Thank you very much. I haven't been sick at all so I don't think I've caught it off him it's very weird though

OP posts:
Ineedaholidayyyy · 27/09/2024 20:31

Absolutely not unreasonable, if I was one of your colleagues I would have rather worked from home than come in the office and potentially spread a sickness bug! Looks like you've caught it now so your colleagues will thank you for staying away from the office.

I don't know why anyone would take the piss for a mother wanting to look after her child whist they were ill, whether they are 6 or 16. Thats just mean to me, you sound like a lovely mum, sorry to hear you are unwell, but atleast your son is taking care of you now.

Original poster
Houseofteenbots · 27/09/2024 20:24

I'm not sure why the lol I actually feel awful right now 🥵

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Original poster
Houseofteenbots · 27/09/2024 18:53

Thanks all for the comment. Just an update. I worked from home yesterday and today. This afternoon I have been feeling unwell myself. I've not been sick but shivery a temp aches and pains and a sore throat. My dh is working a late shift . My son who feels better has been fussing over me. Making tea, giving me drinks and paracetamol and telling me to put my feet up and rest. He's even got out his ancient blanket that he found in the back of the airing cupboards that he used to have when he was poorly when he was little and has told me in total seriousness to snuggle into that. It stinks! Lol! 🤣 ❤️

OP posts:
BurntBroccoli · 27/09/2024 17:14

Just work from home.
When my 18 year old son was poorly he couldn't get out of bed (had Covid and was delirious).

Button28384738 · 26/09/2024 10:09

If work are fine with it I would WFH, yes he's 16 but it's still nice to be looked after she sick, you can take him drinks etc

tattygrl · 26/09/2024 10:05

Why on earth wouldn't someone take the option of staying at home with their sick loved one if they have the ability to? It's not like taking a day off. I don't get what's so funny or bizarre about taking the opportunity to be around the house in case your child (or indeed any other loved one) needed a bit of assistance or comforting. People act like we need to be so hard and unemotional, just because the poorly person isn't a young child. What's wrong with looking out for your family members at any age and doing what you can for them when they're poorly? Just because it's not a dire need?

Icanttakethisanymore · 26/09/2024 10:03

I think it's nice for him not to be on his own if it's easy to organise for him not to be. If it was important to go into the office then youd need to make a judgement on how ill he is, since you can WFH, you don't need to make that judgement. I would stay home.

andthat · 26/09/2024 09:52

Some of the comments on here are so strange.

We don’t stop caring for someone just because they are nearly an adult.

if my husband was ill, I’d WHF because I can, because I love him and because it would be nicer for him if someone was home to get him a drink etc.

What has his age got to do with that?!

This place is so weird sometimes …

FoxtrotOscarKindaDay · 26/09/2024 09:43

Houseofteenbots · 26/09/2024 09:26

That's exactly how I view it. I've spoken to my boss again and it's all confirmed I'm working from home. She said I'm always OK with things like that you should know that by now. My dh can't work from home and he views these things differently

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Will DH expect you to wfh or look after him when be gets the bug your son has?

As much as I'd have DC wrapped in a duvet in the bath so he wasn't sick anywhere but the bathroom, wouldn't risk going to the office either. If it's noro virus that's hell trying to drive home if it sets in, much safer WFH and you can keep an eye on DC too.

LilBatFaceGal · 26/09/2024 09:42

Honestly OP, you really don't need some random woman in Stockport's opinion on what you should or should not do with your own son!

Have some faith in your own parenting abilities and do what YOU feel is best.

spanieleyes22 · 26/09/2024 09:32

I think it's sweet you are staying home. Obvs if you couldn't he would be fine but your work seem flexible about it so why not. He will remember his mum minding him when he was sick !

Original poster
Houseofteenbots · 26/09/2024 09:30

Catza · 26/09/2024 09:28

Hmm, how would it seem to you if your husband's mum came over for a few days to look after her sick son? I hear what you are saying but I think there surely comes the point at which you need to decide that a phone call at lunch and a hot dinner is plenty of kindness in these circumstances.

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Sadly my mil is no longer with us. Wfh whilst he's still at home and school is fine though. It's all decided now anyway

OP posts:
Catza · 26/09/2024 09:28

Houseofteenbots · 26/09/2024 08:52

Lol! I see your point. And I wouldn't do it for my husband but I'm not his mum! Whilst there at home? Whilst it feels right? Kindness and care is never wrong if you can do it is it

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Hmm, how would it seem to you if your husband's mum came over for a few days to look after her sick son? I hear what you are saying but I think there surely comes the point at which you need to decide that a phone call at lunch and a hot dinner is plenty of kindness in these circumstances.

Original poster
Houseofteenbots · 26/09/2024 09:26

MuggleMe · 26/09/2024 09:11

Sounds like WFH is not a problem for the flimsiest of reasons so do it. It's nice to have company when you're feeling rough.

That's exactly how I view it. I've spoken to my boss again and it's all confirmed I'm working from home. She said I'm always OK with things like that you should know that by now. My dh can't work from home and he views these things differently

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Iheartmysmart · 26/09/2024 09:21

I would have WFH if DS was being sick but mainly because if it had turned out to be a bug, it’s not great to spread it around the office. I would have been absolutely no use to DS however as I really can’t deal with vomit.

Ratfinkstinkypink · 26/09/2024 09:21

I would chose to work from home if I could too but I wouldn't take a day's parental leave for a sick 16 year old unless they were very unwell.

IpsyUpsyDaisyDoos · 26/09/2024 09:16

FrenchandSaunders · 26/09/2024 08:02

We did used to take the piss in our office when mums did this with kids that age! No need unless he’s very ill!

Ah yes. Why on Earth would a parent decides they wanted to be home with their sick teenager? Why wouldn't the people in the office want sick bug germs bringing in and spreading round.

What silly, responsible people those ones were.

@Houseofteenbots if you've no need to be in the office, it's easier and nicer for everyone to work from home. I wouldn't want to risk passing on sick bug germs to others (and I definitely wouldn't want them!).

DogwoodTree · 26/09/2024 09:14

Are you sure your work weren’t being disapproving/pass agg by offering the unpaid parental leave day? (I.e. they think you’re taking the piss by saying you’re WFH when actually you’re looking after a sick child?). I only ask because I used to have an office manager who would be like that.

MuggleMe · 26/09/2024 09:11

Sounds like WFH is not a problem for the flimsiest of reasons so do it. It's nice to have company when you're feeling rough.

Bingbong2000 · 26/09/2024 09:06

I think there's less and less commitment to going into the office nowadays

johnson39 · 26/09/2024 08:58

FrenchandSaunders · 26/09/2024 08:02

We did used to take the piss in our office when mums did this with kids that age! No need unless he’s very ill!

"We take the piss in our office , grown up you sound like a nasty bitch" typical
Office gossiper 😂 so sad ....

exprecis · 26/09/2024 08:56

I probably would WFH but more to avoid spreading the bug.

At 16, I personally would have actively preferred being left alone though