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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I being daft or is this OK? Go into the office or not?

62 replies

Houseofteenbots · 26/09/2024 07:59

My 16 year old was sick yesterday afterschool/work. He still doesn't feel well. I worked from home yesterday. It was scheduled that way. Today I'm down to work in the office. Due to do 10-6. My ds still doesn't feel well today and won't be going to school. I'm thinking of working from home today. Simply because if he's sick again he won't be sick in an empty house. Work are absolutely fine with it. They said I could take a day's unpaid parental leave if I wanted to despite knowing his age. Ds hasn't said much yet this morning but he's happy with this. Dh thinks its daft at his age and he'll be fine and I should go into the office. Yes of course he'll be fine but I just think everyone wants their mums if they're poorly no matter how old they are don't they? Whys that daft?

OP posts:
BleachedJumper · 26/09/2024 08:01

If your work are fine with you working at home, then there isn’t really an issue.

StormingNorman · 26/09/2024 08:01

He’ll be fine.

DustyLee123 · 26/09/2024 08:01

I don’t see the problem with working from home then?

FrenchandSaunders · 26/09/2024 08:02

We did used to take the piss in our office when mums did this with kids that age! No need unless he’s very ill!

Beamur · 26/09/2024 08:02

I'd work from home. Best of both options.

Original poster
Houseofteenbots · 26/09/2024 08:03

FrenchandSaunders · 26/09/2024 08:02

We did used to take the piss in our office when mums did this with kids that age! No need unless he’s very ill!

That's basically what my dh is saying

OP posts:
sunsetsandboardwalks · 26/09/2024 08:04

I can't see any issue with working from home with a sick teenager, it's not like you're taking the day off Confused

sunsetsandboardwalks · 26/09/2024 08:04

FrenchandSaunders · 26/09/2024 08:02

We did used to take the piss in our office when mums did this with kids that age! No need unless he’s very ill!

Why would you take the piss about something like that?

Calamitousness · 26/09/2024 08:05

He’s 16, if you need to go to work. Go. If you don’t then work from home. Don’t make a big deal about it that’s not needed. He’s absolutely old enough to vomit into a bucket at the side of his bed or go to the toilet and then stay in bed and sleep it off. Mind you if he’s not been sick overnight then it’s very unlikely he will be sick today. If he’s genuinely still sick he won’t care if you’re there or not. He will want peace to rest.

DaemonMoon · 26/09/2024 08:08

Ignore DH. You're making life nicer for someone by being there for them. Work said its fine. Why wouldn't you? Who cares if he is 16. People are just socialised to sacrifice for work. More fool them.

shakeitoffsis · 26/09/2024 08:08

If you can work from home in general then fine but if it's a ball ache to arrange and everyone will know you did it because you have a sick 16 year old I wouldn't it's completely unnecessary

TinaYouFatLard · 26/09/2024 08:09

I have 16 year olds - if it’s really no problem to WFH then I absolutely would stay home with him. When you’ve been sick it’s just nice to have someone popping in with sugary lemonade or dry toast every now and again.

JustKeepSwimmingJust · 26/09/2024 08:10

If the house has a vomiting bug then tell work that - especially if starting at 10 means you can contact your line manager early enough to make a decision. “Hi LM there is a vomiting bug going around our house. Would you mind if I wfh rather than come into the office?”

sausagedog45 · 26/09/2024 08:11

FrenchandSaunders · 26/09/2024 08:02

We did used to take the piss in our office when mums did this with kids that age! No need unless he’s very ill!

You sound nice

Catza · 26/09/2024 08:12

Work from home of that's an option. I don't know if I would want someone hovering over me at that age but that's me. I imagine, it's probably not a big deal for your son either way but if it makes you feel better and your boss is OK...
Wouldn't take parental leave. That would be silly

sausagedog45 · 26/09/2024 08:14

When I'm ill especially with a sickness bug I prefer dh to be home. Not that I'd stop him from going to work if he had to or expect him to sit mopping my brow all day. But when you feel rotten it's nice to know someone is just around if you need them. I'm 38.

If it's not going to cause a problem for you then wfh and be there for your teen. Just because they're a bit older it doesn't mean it won't be comforting to have you around.

HappyHolidai · 26/09/2024 08:17

Work from home if you can. It'll be comforting for your son to have someone around.

Not likely to happen, but when I was 19 I had sickness etc. my dad was able to work from home and a good thing he did: I had increasing pain and he took me to the doctor. Eventually ended up in hospital with appendicitis!

rainbowstardrops · 26/09/2024 08:17

You can work from home and your work are ok with that, so you have the best of both worlds. You can work and not lose a days pay and you can keep an eye on your son. Win win.
Your husband is entitled to an opinion but as it doesn't affect him, I'm not sure why he's bothered to be honest.

Conniebygaslight · 26/09/2024 08:20

I'd definitely WFH OP, you'll feel better knowing you're there for your son. Hope he's better soon.

Mcginty57 · 26/09/2024 08:21

I'd just work from home, my work are great and absolutely no issue working from home for whatever reason.

Original poster
Houseofteenbots · 26/09/2024 08:22

Its not a balls ache to arrange no. I just take my laptop out of my work bag. We all have our office days and wfh days. Some people don't wfh at all. Others work from home on their in office days for various reasons that always have to be cleared with our boss such as feeling under the weather or expecting a delivery etc.

OP posts:
Conniebygaslight · 26/09/2024 08:22

shakeitoffsis · 26/09/2024 08:08

If you can work from home in general then fine but if it's a ball ache to arrange and everyone will know you did it because you have a sick 16 year old I wouldn't it's completely unnecessary

So what if everyone knows....you don't stop nurturing your kids just because they're 16.

Mcginty57 · 26/09/2024 08:23

FrenchandSaunders · 26/09/2024 08:02

We did used to take the piss in our office when mums did this with kids that age! No need unless he’s very ill!

Well that sounds like a totally shit, unprofessional place to work if they think taking the piss out anyone is acceptable. None of us care if someone's working from home, its nothing to do with us.

Conniebygaslight · 26/09/2024 08:24

FrenchandSaunders · 26/09/2024 08:02

We did used to take the piss in our office when mums did this with kids that age! No need unless he’s very ill!

Aren't you a peach...

BunnyLake · 26/09/2024 08:27

FrenchandSaunders · 26/09/2024 08:02

We did used to take the piss in our office when mums did this with kids that age! No need unless he’s very ill!

You sound like a nice bunch.

If OP can legitimately work from home then this is a total non issue.