Justifiable as a single parent?

[juplg]

When dd is ill I have had to often lie and say i’m ill. If I don’t, I use up my holiday then have none to take for childcare when it’s the holidays from school. I overheard a friend talking to another friend about how disgusting this was… they weren’t talking about me as they don’t know I do it, they were talking about another mutual friend.

I feel like my options are get a less well paid job and my child suffers or be virtuous and play by the rules at all times. I think part of this is bitterness that my job is full of men who have no childcare responsibilities…Which I accept is my own issue.

Just ignore them. I totally understand why you do that. Zero judgment from me...I'd do it too

Of course you have to do what you have to do. Yes it's wrong to be dishonest but what's more wrong is the system that puts you in this position. I think there should be a certain amount of leave for child related sickness, unpaid of course, and same for medical appointments, especially for those with chronic conditions.

I've done it, in a pinch, it is what it is. You need to keep your job. I've had a lovely meeting with an hr bod on building myself a support network to ensure I don't miss work when children are ill. The theory being we can all keep spare childcare on tap for when kids come down with d&v in the night. I've learnt it's easier to say I have d&v.