What do you do when your kids are ill?

[zlcc]

My 4 year old has woken up this morning with a raging temperature and a chesty cough so bad he's been throwing up. I couldn't send him into school. I work full time though, I can WFH but company policy states this is not allowed to look after dependents which is completely understandable. Dad is not around so can't ask him and I don't have my parents to ask either.

What do others do in these situations? Just interested to know. It's so hard when they're little and ill a lot.

Usually dependants leave from work or unpaid if needs be. Failing that, annual leave.

I'd let my boss know that as a one off you'd be wfh with your child there and you will work your hours by making any up - and let child watch CBeebies from the sofa while you work.
I think everyone understands the odd day of being at home working while there is a sick child, as opposed to just not having childcare as a norm

I was a teacher so I had to phone in and explain that I couldn’t come in. It didn’t happen very often. You can’t expect GP to look after sick children. In HE we were allowed five days compassionate leave to look after parents/ partners who were ill. I think I ended up needing more like 40 when my DH was ill but line manager never said a word. In your position I would explain that you can’t leave the child but will try to do some work even if it has to be in the evening (been there, too).

Use annual leave days. I always offer to work aroubd my childs naps if manager is happy for me to do it, but if not i'll be off the whole day on annual leave instead. Then its their decision

When DD was small I was a teacher so would have to take the day off, I could have three days paid.

If I was you I'd give your boss the option and ask if they would prefer you to WFH whilst caring or to take dependants leave. It would also depend on if your son needs actual looking after and to be cuddled up or whether he's sleeping.

I just say that my son is ill and my work say 'Ok.' I WFH anyway so if son is just watching tv him being there doesn't really have an impact on my job.

I'd offer to WFH or take annual leave or unpaid leave. Not many options really.

I wfh and she lays quietly on the sofa. My mum usually comes over to help for part of the day. I think we have a similar rule re dependents but it’s not an absolutely concrete one. If it’s a one off for a few days because a child is ill, it’s ok, just not as a permanent arrangement.

I’d email and say I can’t come in because my son is unwell. Would you like me to…?

1. take it as annual leave
2. WFH
3. take it as compassionate leave
4. take it as a sick day

Then it’s up to them.

Have you spoken to your manager? If something like this happened to someone on my team, I'd work with them to see what can be done, as this is a sick child not a situation where you don't have childcare.

I have a soon-to-be 4 year old too, I do make it work a lot of the time. Good luck!

If you have the kind of child who will watch tv/draw/play and not too many meetings today. I’d WFH and not say anything. (As it’s a one off).
But if not this kind of child I’d send the msg that @Moveoverdarlin suggested.

One off WFH with child with me, annual leave, carer's leave or unpaid leave. Have used all of these in the past.