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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would it be terrible to take the day off?

34 replies

adviceseeker22 · 19/07/2023 16:46

I'm off to France and Spain for two weeks. I still have a lot to do (packing, washing, getting the house ready for the house sitter). My work load had basically doubled because I need to have a good chunk of workload done before I go away.

My wraparound childcare had bailed on me, so now I'm potentially looking at having my 3yo being with me for a couple of hours of my actual working hours.

I have a current cancer scare (with hospital appointment on Friday). I feel like I 100% don't have enough time to do it all.

BTW I would still work I just no will to face back to back meetings for 4+ hours.

I could also play stupid with nursery (as they haven't replied to my messages) and leave my 3yp for 40 extra mins (that would save the day) OR I ask my husband to help me for those 40mins which is silly and definitely a no-no.

OP posts:
Crunchymum · 19/07/2023 16:48

I don't know what you are on about to be honest?

You want to take the day off work to get ready for a two week holiday but leave your DC an extra 40 minutes at nursery and you can't ask your DH to help??

Original poster
adviceseeker22 · 19/07/2023 16:51

I'm just feeling extremely overwhelmed at this precise moment and thinking of my options.

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 19/07/2023 16:53

Leave the toddler the extra time. Tell work that you've been let down on childcare and take the time you need to be ready to get the most from the holiday. Lower the standard for the house sitter, I guarantee that they've seen worse.

ManateeFair · 19/07/2023 16:56

You seem to be contradicting yourself a bit here. First of all you say you want to get loads done in the house before you go on holiday so you want to take a day off work. But then you say that if you took the day off work, you would actually still be working, just not attending meetings. So that won't free up your day at all for washing and packing, because you will be working.

And what's leaving your child at nursery for an extra 40 minutes got to do with any of this? If 40 minutes extra childcare is all it would 'save the day' then why are you talking about needing the whole day off? And why would it be 'silly and a no-no' for your husband to look after his own child for 40 minutes?

ManateeFair · 19/07/2023 16:57

Also I don't understand why, as you both work, your husband isn't taking on any of the washing/packing/getting the house ready for the housesitter?

TeaKitten · 19/07/2023 16:59

It’s hard to advise because your post doesn’t make much sense. What day are you even planning to take off work? Sorry about the cancer scare, but what’s that got to do with it, is it Friday you are trying to take off?

cushioncovers · 19/07/2023 17:08

What?

midsomermurderess · 19/07/2023 17:08

Who packs for a holiday two weeks in advance?

midsomermurderess · 19/07/2023 17:08

Sorry, I'm misreading your post.

Original poster
adviceseeker22 · 19/07/2023 17:10

I simply don't have time for a proper handover and 4 hours of meetings.

Unless I work for about 12 hours tomorrow. I'd happily take both days off, but I do need to get all of these documents ready before I go away.

My husband isn't office based so if he were to come and help, he'd have to take half the day off.

OP posts:
Original poster
adviceseeker22 · 19/07/2023 17:11

The cancer scare is relevant because I don't think I'm being as productive as I'd normally be.

OP posts:
Niftyswiftie · 19/07/2023 17:14

I'm confused too. Do you mean you want to call in sick or book annual leave for a day so you can pack for a holiday in 2 weeks from now? Also not sure what nursery has to do with this?

Tumbleweed101 · 19/07/2023 17:14

Don't leave your child at nursery an extra 40mins without checking they have staffing in place - they will call you - or other contacts on your list - if you don't just turn up for nearly an hour without them knowing why and perhaps charge late fees. Just book an extra session.

Niftyswiftie · 19/07/2023 17:15

Oh you're going on holiday for 2 weeks not in 2 weeks.

Are you thinking of calling in sick or booking the day off?

declutteringmymind · 19/07/2023 17:15

You are entitled to unpaid dependent leave so you would not be unreasonable to use that.

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 19/07/2023 17:16

If you try and call in sick just before you go on annual leave, I expect your workplace will think you're taking the piss.

Hufflepods · 19/07/2023 17:16

Why would you take the day off and still work? Why would it be unreasonable to take a day off or or ask your husband to help for 40 mins?

Original poster
adviceseeker22 · 19/07/2023 17:17

I'm going away for two weeks in 60 hours.

I dont have enough time to pack (and everything else that is pending) plus work 12 hours with my normal workload plus handover prep, plus the extra stress of having my 3yo hanging around because I have no wrap around childcare, plus the 4+ hours of waiting around at the hospital

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 19/07/2023 17:17

OP you are making perfect sense, there seems to be a massive comprehension issue with posters on here lately. What's making you doubt that you can't duck out of the meetings?

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 19/07/2023 17:19

Your OP is perfectly clear, I'm not sure why so many people seem incapable of understanding it.

You're off on holiday at the weekend for two weeks.
Your childcare has let you down and you're going to have to work and look after your 3yo at the same time.
You have work and a hospital appointment to attend, as well as all the usual holiday prep to sort out and are trying to figure out how to fit it all in.

Personally I would work as normal and do the packing in the evenings once the kids are in bed. It might mean a couple of late nights but it's only until Saturday then you can forget about it all for two weeks. I hope you get good results at the hospital Flowers

Original poster
adviceseeker22 · 19/07/2023 17:20

Ponoka7 · 19/07/2023 17:17

OP you are making perfect sense, there seems to be a massive comprehension issue with posters on here lately. What's making you doubt that you can't duck out of the meetings?

I'm technically needed in all of those meetings, they're part of my role.

I'm happy to book .y 3yo for extra hours, but the nursery isn't the most responsive in emergencies

OP posts:
Original poster
adviceseeker22 · 19/07/2023 17:21

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 19/07/2023 17:19

Your OP is perfectly clear, I'm not sure why so many people seem incapable of understanding it.

You're off on holiday at the weekend for two weeks.
Your childcare has let you down and you're going to have to work and look after your 3yo at the same time.
You have work and a hospital appointment to attend, as well as all the usual holiday prep to sort out and are trying to figure out how to fit it all in.

Personally I would work as normal and do the packing in the evenings once the kids are in bed. It might mean a couple of late nights but it's only until Saturday then you can forget about it all for two weeks. I hope you get good results at the hospital Flowers

YES exactly this!!

OP posts:
CarlosAlcaraz · 19/07/2023 17:21

I'm probably missing something but if you take the day off will you miss doing a handover and not get all your work done before you go ?

Darknightsahead · 19/07/2023 17:21

See without sounding like a total bitch. Why aren’t you starting to pack now whilst you are on mumsnet?

Breakoutbertha · 19/07/2023 17:22

OP in the nicest way I wouldn't be asking that on here. You sounded very upset on your other thread this morning. It all got a bit snappy. Take a breath but don't react like you did earlier. It's not helping you.