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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

single parents. COVID+ve.WFH.school and nursery.

41 replies

wombleflump · 02/01/2022 14:39

I am a single parent. I am alone waiting for a court case to relocate back to family and friends. I am non contact with my ex with a injunction. I have no one to help me.

I have just tested positive for COVID. I am slightly confused by all the changing rules. I have no one to take DC to her school and DS to nursery. It’s a car ride away and presuming I can’t take them (it’s quite a busy area. So would seem wrong to take them myself). DD missed last week of term due to DAndV bug so is bad she can’t go. she is also currently refusing PCR though I will order
Her the home one.

I am wfh so far I’m feeling ok so can continue to
WFH. I am supposed to do a meeting though and I don’t think I can because colleagues complained
The last time in lockdown about kids noise in background. I know this will leave colleagues in lurch to cover this huge post holiday meeting. Should I just call
In sick or offer to do it but say will be interruptions. None of my colleagues know I’ve been single
For year without support. We have been WFH since 2020 so haven’t told anyone.

OP posts:
Original poster
wombleflump · 02/01/2022 15:16

I don’t have anyone really. I am waiting to relocate for over a year know so my support network is small here. I think the parents I know from
School are too busy as they also work and use before and after school clubs. Also they don’t live near me and let’s face it who has spare tons abs energy in the mornings

OP posts:
Original poster
wombleflump · 02/01/2022 15:17

Yes I’ve done it last year with the mute on and off. But I have to actively present and the kids will not be able to be quite for that long!

OP posts:
DrinkFeckArseBrick · 02/01/2022 15:17

Firstly if you feel ok to then id wear a mask indoors to minimise the chances of them getting it.
Then assuming you feel ok to drive, I'd call school and nursery and any available school wraparound and tell them you can drive but can't bring the kids in because you are positive for covid, so could they arrange to come out and meet the kids from the car or do something else to assist so the kids can attend.
If they can't help or the kids get it, then I'd call your work and ask what they would like to do, you could suggest working through and being interrupted by the kids, catching up on work in evenings, pre-recording or sending your bits of the presentations in advance and then just take questions on them in the meeting so you're 'on' for less time, working part time hours, taking emergency unpaid leave or holiday or a mix of the above, and see what they want you to do. As long as you are trying your best and being flexible then if they are supportive they should hopefully be ok with it

Original poster
wombleflump · 02/01/2022 15:20

Thanks I’m not looking to over work for the meeting as I do have some
Covid symptoms. I either have to be at the meeting and present or not do it as it is a interactive meeting with discussions etc

OP posts:
Original poster
wombleflump · 02/01/2022 15:21

I can just take sick leave because it is a big public institution and to be honest my boss won’t
Care. I just don’t like letting down my colleagues at the meeting who can be more judgemental about not being there and getting the
Job done

OP posts:
Madcats · 02/01/2022 15:24

I'm hoping that this comes across constructively:

If you aren't facilitating this meeting (and 3 hours is plain daft for a meeting) why do you need to be on screen AND not on mute for most of it?

Have you asked for the meeting to be recorded? It is easy enough to enable, but would require other attendees to give consent (or at least that is what my board asks us to confirm).

If your input is required could you get somebody to message you at that point in the agenda?

Obviously if you are unwell and the kids are playing up, ignore these suggestions.

Original poster
wombleflump · 02/01/2022 15:32

Thanks everyone and madcats but it’s not that sort of business meeting .

OP posts:
Iamuhtredsonofuhtred · 02/01/2022 15:35

If I had a car I would take them and get someone from school to meet them from the car as PP suggested

thepeopleversuswork · 02/01/2022 15:37

Just call in sick. It's nuts that you have COVID and have kids to look after and are considering working through it. I speak as a single parent who WFH throughout school lockdowns -- I understand the nightmarish juggling that needs to be done and how disruptive and soul-destroying it is but seriously if ever there was a decent excuse for not working its having COVID.

Original poster
wombleflump · 02/01/2022 15:38

Has anyone done that? Have someone take them from the car? Would a school be happy with this. I have a car ( although my Ds has to be dragged physically into nursery at the best of times as he doesn’t like it) .

OP posts:
NeedAHoliday2021 · 02/01/2022 15:40

Call in sick with Covid?

Original poster
wombleflump · 02/01/2022 15:41

thepeopleversuswork

Great name does that mean you are not a fan of work? 😂 yes maybe also I have a lot of stress over this court case and trying to move. Maybe I should just take the day off.

OP posts:
JustUseTheDoorSanta · 02/01/2022 15:47

Explain it to your boss and let them decide; they could reschedule the meeting or come up with options for how you behave.

Beseen22 · 02/01/2022 16:04

If they have previously been making comments about your limited childcare solutions I would honestly think it would look better for you to call in sick with covid to be honest. People in offices without kids occasionally like to complain about how unfair it is for them that people with kids get away with everything without having a clue about what you are going through. You might also find that you are penalised because technically you are fit to work but unable to because of childcare...make sure you would actually qualify for sick leave in that situation.

If you call in with covid its an unplanned absence but they can kind of work out when you'll be feeling better and available to work, the meeting can be postponed until you or a colleague are able to take it. There are so so many people off with covid right now your employer should have some contingency in place and you may find if public sector that its counted as covid leave rather than sickness so doesn't count toward your sick leave for references if you are planning to leave soon. I'm not an employer but I would imagine that 10 days out is easier to manage than 10 days half in half out able to do some things but not others. You are not well and you have proof of that, give yourself a break.

spanieleyes · 02/01/2022 17:28

We have parents with covid who have dropped their children off in the school car park outside the entrance door. It's not normally allowed but, as long as they arrive after the school rush has finished and we know they are coming, the child can come in safely.

Original poster
wombleflump · 02/01/2022 17:32

Thanks I will ask the school on Tuesday about my dd. I’m pretty sure that will not work for DS and nursery , as I have to literally force him carry him to the door as he doesn’t really like going unfortunately! He has also been off three weeks so he is unlikely to walk into nursery unassisted

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