To have called in sick in order to sort things (house) out?

It's a funny one, because you're obviously wrung out and stressed with too little sleep. Sounds like you're on one extreme end of that, so probably a good idea to take a day off. But loads of people are over-busy to a far lesser extent who probably should instead keep on going.

What can you do to simplify life? Part time, or a cleaner might not be affordable, but maybe streamline kids activities, or simplify the house, or declutter, have a lower key Christmas, whatever.

I did the same thing for the first time yesterday! First sick day in years but I just couldn’t face leaving my toddler. Up all night every time he coughed (asthma, much worse in cold weather) and worrying in between. Spent the day making Christmas cards, drinking hot chocolate and tidying the house. No regrets! ✊

I think you're probably under stress and you're starting to groan under the strain of everything. In all honesty, I'd be wondering if I needed a few days off to get my life into a better place, but importantly, getting yourself into a better place too as you need to take care of yourself to ensure everything that relies on you are supported well by you being well.
Winter vomiting bug is pretty rife at the moment 😉

No no no no no. It is not "feeble" to put your mental health first. If more people had mental health days off work occasionally, it would avoid extended absences further down the line when things spiralled out of control.

How dare you come on here and call someone's struggles feeble. That's atrocious.

Lol!

This is where flexi-time is great - you can work an hour longer 9 days a fortnight & then book a day off, because you've worked your 75 hours already.

What does your husband do to contribute to children and house?

Can your employer replace you immediately if you quit your job today? Probably. So you owe them nothing. No one is going to die because you called in sick, it's fine.

Having a day to get some shit together and rest is exactly what you need, then you'll be working better when you go back.

I think really you are stressed and overwhelmed. Maybe you just need a day to reset. A previous employer had duvet days. So you’d take the day off randomly, no questions asked, and it’d be deducted from your annual leave.

If I was your manager and you told me you'd only had 1.5 hours sleep I'd be telling you to take the day off to sleep.

We all need a day off sometimes, you have a valid reason. I have insomnia and it can be brutal. Also having things like a messy house can exacerbate situations and being able to sort it out can help you mentally. You did nothing wrong. I hope things pick up for you.

Teacher presumably

Not at all OP! In fact most modern workplaces have an allocated number of 'personal days' you're allowed to take that aren't illness but are for things like this, or mental health dips etc

Give over.

Being tired isn't being ill. Feel free to take a day off but if you're lying to your employer then don't be surprised if one day they catch you out and sack you for dishonesty. Not exactly a good role model for your kids either is it?

Sounds like you are doing something to help you avoid burnout which would have a far greater impact on your work and personal life than taking a day out to sort stuff and feel more in control. Hope you have a reasonable day followed by a good night's sleep and that tomorrow finds you feeling better

I've cleaned and tidied when stressed but couldn't work and my manager agreed and knew I was doing odd jobs in the house (severe panic attacks after an accident).

But if the insomnia is caused by stress, which, in turn arises from an out of control situation such as untidiness and cleaning which can never get properly attended to, that surely can still be classed as sick leave.

OP is having a go at tackling the underlying issue to help avoid the symptom.

Everyone needs a mental health day every now and again. Just because you aren't physically sick doesnt mean you dont need time off to rebalance.

It's not always about a named illness and depends on job in my opinion. Some jobs you can muddle through with insomnia, some you definitely can't in my experience. Sounds like stress anyway.

@allthatfalafel where do you work allthatfalafel? I want to apply.

I did this once a year or so for my whole teaching career (16 years)! Sometimes I'd get so tired and overwhelmed, I really needed it.

I'm now trying to find a job that doesn't deplete me in the same way....

Also HR. Completely agree!

I wish I had a friend like you, your friend is very lucky!

Sending sympathy @goandhohoho . Suffering with the insomnia here too with 2 small kids and very nearly called in sick this morning. I do work from home though, so thought I'd try to push through, but it's a struggle. I hope things improve for you soon.