To ask what you are supposed to do when your kids are ill? *trigger warning for emetophobes*

[JazzerMcCreary]

Child has just started vomiting profusely. Bug going around so it’s almost definitely that. I’ve just messaged my boss to give them the heads up. They’ve basically said the team is too small and they can’t/won’t grant carers leave. Nursery obviously won’t have child until 48 hours after last episode. DH is self employed and relies heavily on reputation/word of mouth/being seen as reliable, plus won’t make any money if he’s not working. No one is going to volunteer to look after a sick child obviously.

So I either have to lie and say I’m sick, knowing full well I’m probably going to come down with it anyway, having been puked all over (already feel nauseous but unsure if that’s just due to having to smell it). Or go into work (probably contagious, working with potentially vulnerable people, although at least wearing PPE) leaving DH at home with the child for three days (and I assume his sister as can’t imagine nursery will be thrilled to have her if her brother is unwell), completely fucking his business for the week.

I 100% appreciate that it’s massively inconvenient for everyone but what am I actually supposed to do? What do people normally do in these situations? My sickness record is actually very good and I’m not considered a slacker so it’s not like this is a frequent occurrence!

[quote arethereanyleftatall]@pianolessons1
She literally asked 'what do people do?' That's what we did. [/quote]
Yes but the question was really what do two working parents do.

@Excelthetube

You should have just presumed you were going to get sick! Because now they probably won’t believe you.

Tough shit. Perhaps she should go in and vomit into her boss's lap? People get ill, it's not her fault if they don't have enough staff to cover.

You just take turns taking the time off and if your work are funny about it you just lie and say you're the one that's ill.

I bet your small work team would be delighted if you came in with a possible tummy bug to pass to them all.
Tell them you've been sick and stay home.

poor you.
even when not emetophobic dealing with a vomity child is very unleasant.
I hope she's better soon.

when dc were little we often both did shorter days. like I would start at silly o'clock at work and leave at noon. and dh would work from noon 'til evening.
best of both worlds.

I was lucky enough to be able to work part time and swap days around if DC were ill so I would take a day or 2 off but work extra the next week so there wasn't much overall hit to my employment.

Definitely send the other child to nursery though.

But op didn't tell her employer she felt ill. She said one of her children was ill

If the kid vomited over her it’s almost inevitable she’ll get it. Every time my DC have done this I’ve caught it, no way would I risk going to work and spreading it to vulnerable patients and my team! (Or vomiting at the bus stop, which happened once when I caught Noro at work).

My work kind of assumes if your kid has a sick bug you’re going to be off sick within 48 hours, any boss who tries to make you come in is playing with fire.

All irrelevant now. I’m sick as a dog

Sorry just saw OP’s update. Get well soon 💐

Smallest child at nursery (thanks to my dad), the three of us have pretty much spent the whole day in bed. No one being physically sick anymore but so achy and feverish. At least we’re all getting it out of the way at the same time.