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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:
Original poster
Houseofteenbots · 26/09/2024 08:52

Singleandproud · 26/09/2024 08:41

WFH by all means as that is fine for your work.

However, when do you stop staying at home because someone has a vomitting bug so they aren't at alone? 17? 18? Do you stay for your husband? Do they stay for you?
I would just provide DD with a bed on the sofa and all the supplies she needs next to her and give her a ring at lunchtime.

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

OP posts:
TheCompactPussycat · 26/09/2024 08:49

If your work are happy, work from home. Why is your 16 year old sick? If you're not sure and it turns out to be a bug, work will thank you for not spreading it round the office.

Kiuyni · 26/09/2024 08:47

I guess it depends what you do. If I work from home I can't just stop a call to go and tend to a poorly child.

But if you've got the kind if job where you have all day to do certain tasks then it would work.

ThatAgileGoldMoose · 26/09/2024 08:45

Don't take unpaid leave, that's madness!

I think it's overkill to wfh purely because your 16 year old is ill (unless they're hospital level ill), but if that's what suits you, and your boss is fine with it then crack on.

MiddleAgedDread · 26/09/2024 08:44

Just work from home, a days parental leave seems a bit OTT for a 16year old!

pretzel1212 · 26/09/2024 08:42

Work from home just incase it's a sickness bug you don't want to spread it

WhamBamThankU · 26/09/2024 08:41

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!

You and your colleagues sound horrid.

Singleandproud · 26/09/2024 08:41

WFH by all means as that is fine for your work.

However, when do you stop staying at home because someone has a vomitting bug so they aren't at alone? 17? 18? Do you stay for your husband? Do they stay for you?
I would just provide DD with a bed on the sofa and all the supplies she needs next to her and give her a ring at lunchtime.

Teanbiscuits33 · 26/09/2024 08:40

If a stomach bug is causing his vomiting, there’s always the chance you could start soon if he’s passed it to you, is this part of the reason you want to stay home just in case you come down with it? If not, I can’t see why you would want to stay home with a vomiting teenager. It’s not nice hearing someone retching for one thing, and there’s not much you can do to help him.

HowYouSpellingThat10 · 26/09/2024 08:36

I'd have just reframed it as 'there's a sickness bug in our house and don't want to risk making everyone ill'.

In the kind of environment where it makes little difference if you are at home or work in terms of getting the job done, no one wants the risk of being sick all weekend.

MonsteraMama · 26/09/2024 08:34

I've got a 16yo too and I'd wfh if she was sick. They're still your kids even if they're more or less independent.

I'd find it hard to give a shit that some sanctimonious joy sponge like @FrenchandSaunders would take the piss out of me about it, because I don't care about the thoughts or opinions of people boring enough to find someone else's schedule a topic of conversation worth any of their time or ire 🤷‍♀️

Beezknees · 26/09/2024 08:29

I wouldn't take parental leave (also have a 16 year old) but if they're fine with you wfh I'd do that.

BunnyLake · 26/09/2024 08:27

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!

You sound like a nice bunch.

If OP can legitimately work from home then this is a total non issue.

Conniebygaslight · 26/09/2024 08:24

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!

Aren't you a peach...

Mcginty57 · 26/09/2024 08:23

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!

Well that sounds like a totally shit, unprofessional place to work if they think taking the piss out anyone is acceptable. None of us care if someone's working from home, its nothing to do with us.

Conniebygaslight · 26/09/2024 08:22

shakeitoffsis · 26/09/2024 08:08

If you can work from home in general then fine but if it's a ball ache to arrange and everyone will know you did it because you have a sick 16 year old I wouldn't it's completely unnecessary

So what if everyone knows....you don't stop nurturing your kids just because they're 16.

Original poster
Houseofteenbots · 26/09/2024 08:22

Its not a balls ache to arrange no. I just take my laptop out of my work bag. We all have our office days and wfh days. Some people don't wfh at all. Others work from home on their in office days for various reasons that always have to be cleared with our boss such as feeling under the weather or expecting a delivery etc.

OP posts:
Mcginty57 · 26/09/2024 08:21

I'd just work from home, my work are great and absolutely no issue working from home for whatever reason.

Conniebygaslight · 26/09/2024 08:20

I'd definitely WFH OP, you'll feel better knowing you're there for your son. Hope he's better soon.

rainbowstardrops · 26/09/2024 08:17

You can work from home and your work are ok with that, so you have the best of both worlds. You can work and not lose a days pay and you can keep an eye on your son. Win win.
Your husband is entitled to an opinion but as it doesn't affect him, I'm not sure why he's bothered to be honest.

HappyHolidai · 26/09/2024 08:17

Work from home if you can. It'll be comforting for your son to have someone around.

Not likely to happen, but when I was 19 I had sickness etc. my dad was able to work from home and a good thing he did: I had increasing pain and he took me to the doctor. Eventually ended up in hospital with appendicitis!

sausagedog45 · 26/09/2024 08:14

When I'm ill especially with a sickness bug I prefer dh to be home. Not that I'd stop him from going to work if he had to or expect him to sit mopping my brow all day. But when you feel rotten it's nice to know someone is just around if you need them. I'm 38.

If it's not going to cause a problem for you then wfh and be there for your teen. Just because they're a bit older it doesn't mean it won't be comforting to have you around.

Catza · 26/09/2024 08:12

Work from home of that's an option. I don't know if I would want someone hovering over me at that age but that's me. I imagine, it's probably not a big deal for your son either way but if it makes you feel better and your boss is OK...
Wouldn't take parental leave. That would be silly

sausagedog45 · 26/09/2024 08:11

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!

You sound nice

JustKeepSwimmingJust · 26/09/2024 08:10

If the house has a vomiting bug then tell work that - especially if starting at 10 means you can contact your line manager early enough to make a decision. “Hi LM there is a vomiting bug going around our house. Would you mind if I wfh rather than come into the office?”