childminders: How often have you been off sick?

[peppapog]

Hi
I have a question

I have been minding for just over 1 year.

In that time I have had 1 day off sick for me (altho a couple of times havent been able to work due to chicken pox, tummy bugs) and 1 days holiday.

I really could do with being off sick tomorrow, if I was in any other job I wouldnt hesitate to take teh day off but I just feel SO guilty and very aware that other people rely on me to be working.

Just thought Id see how it was for other minders...

Are u ill then or do u want to pull a sicky?

In 12 years of minding, I have not had ANY days off sick. I have taken the odd day for funerals, and I always take my full quota of holidays.

Don't get me wrong, I have often worked whe I have been unwell, but I appreciate that the parents rely on my, and I have had so much work thru word of mouth because I am so reliable!

I know one Minder who throws a 'sickie' so that she can have a day off shopping. That is wrong. But if you are genuinely ill, you ought to be able to take time to recover.

You may feel much better tomorrow, unless you're not actually ill and just want a day off.

I can't also afford to not work. No work = no pay!

Sally

No not taking a sickie.

Basically having a horrendously heavy period that Im slightly concerned may have even been an early miscarriage. Either way its quite painful and Im bleeding very heavily.

Could just really do without running around after 4 kids all day and in any other job I would definitely feel justified in taking the day off but in childminding you just have to be well dont you!

No not taking a sickie.

Basically having a horrendously heavy period that Im slightly concerned may have even been an early miscarriage. Either way its quite painful and Im bleeding very heavily.

Could just really do without running around after 4 kids all day and in any other job I would definitely feel justified in taking the day off but in childminding you just have to be well dont you!

Well in that case, I'd ring the parents and get myself to see a doctor. Have you done a pregnancy test?

I hope everything turns out ok.

Sally

Its what to say to the parents.

Not sure I want to go into the level of detail about possible miscarriages etc

1 day's holiday - in a year?

I'd just say that you are unwell and leave it at that.

If you want to tell them later then fine -but realistically you are not in any emotional state to be looking after other peoples children

I would say you will be off for at least 2 days

I only childmind part time so that isnt as bad as it sounds! I work 3 days a week and Ive only had to ask for 1 day in the year I have worked as the rest of the time I just have a rest in between days IYSWIM

I've been off sick twice in the 15 months I've been childminding. First was a bad d&v bug I caught from a mindee who shouldn't have come to me, the other was bad tonsillitis where I worked until I felt so not with it that I worried about the children in my care. I think I got the tonsillitis due to working without holiday and lots of other stresses my family had to deal with. I'd never had it before I felt awful. I'd taken 1 days leave in over a year of childminding and decided I couldn't continue without holiday's if it's going to make me ill.

My advice is to take the time off and just say you are too ill to have the children. You have to look after yourself!

Also, make sure you have holidays, it takes it's toll if you don't!!!
Sorry you feel so horrible

How are you feeling today ?

Sally xx

I work part time and I still get holidays. So you are entitled.

DS has been with the CM for just over a year - 3 days/week. In that time she has had two odd days off sick (actually more I think but it overlapped onto days I don't work), some time off when her Mum had a heart attack, and another week off when she died. As a parent the thing I would most appreciate is a little bit of notice if at all possible. So much easier to know the day before and start ringing round friends or book a day's holiday than having to do it at 7.30 in the morning.

So I would let the parents know now that you will be off. And take the time.

Oh sorry I am a day late with the advice. Hope you are feeling better.

ive had about 3 days off in 2 years sick.

peppapog - how are u feeling? Hope u took today off - U should be looking after number 1 when something like this is happening - Hope you are ok - U need to sit down and relax - Let us know how u are doing?

2 days in 4 years. all clients were great and i got cover where i could. only one coment, that was when i phoned them in the morning with head half way down toilet! they said, not hope you feel better, but, how will you credit us? needless to say we parted company some time ago.

2 days in 4 years. all clients were great and i got cover where i could. only one coment, that was when i phoned them in the morning with head half way down toilet! they said, not hope you feel better, but, how will you credit us? needless to say we parted company some time ago.

In 3 yrs Ive had 3 days off cos my daughter was in hospital and anoter 7 days cos I had a miscarriage which resulted in being made to take total bedrest for the first week One set of parents did think I should be back at work after 4 days though. I asked them when they started knowing more than the hospital consultants and they replied "oh your obviously a bit emotional so we'll give you another couple of days off" . We parted company a few months later.

When DH phoned to tell them all I would be off he only told one set of parents what had happened cos they knew I was pregnant. The other 3 parents were only told I was sick and a couple of days later I told them what had happened.

Take time off and getyourself checked out. It is hard though when you know people are depending on you.

I have worked a few times when Ive felt rotten and would have taken time off if Id being doing another job.

Personally I have not had any ays of sick for myself in 2 and a half years of minding but I've ha about 5 or so days of for my childrens illnesses, hospital appointments and operations.

never been off sick but only work p/t.