Why do I worry so much being off poorly with the kids?

[alexis97]

Morning mums,

Myself and my beautiful babies have been off since Monday with D&V... although I'm not being sick anymore I still feel pretty rough and have a pretty bad tummy. My kids are still vomiting and it has been a rough week. My littlest is 4mo and my biggest is 2.5. They are my priority 100% but I'm still really worried. Husband has got it pretty bad too so childcare is out of the question, I don't want to push myself back when I'm still not great anyway and I always end up going back when I'm not right burning out but yet again no childcare so I couldn't return regardless. I'm not worried about the money I just want my kids to get better and we will manage. The kids attend the same nursery I work at, it works out we will have been off the full 4 days if I take tomorrow, I'm really worried I could get in trouble for being off but it genuinely can't be helped. I can't stop thinking about it or relax... 😔

You need to be off to stop it spreading to other staff.

I know that 100%, it's the reason we're all off because people send their sick kids in. I understand being a staff member and a parent. But I panic so much that I'm going to get wrong for being off and I can't shift the anxiety.

You can't help it, it's crap.
I get this anxiety too with work. My little one goes to nursery and she picked up every single bug going, and passed it to me. It was never just the cold but Covid, flu or d&v. It was nothing you could soldier on with. I'm on a stage 2 attendance warning for the privilege but it's impossible as you can't send the kids to nursery when sick and grandparents don't want the nasty bugs too, who often have weaker immune systems. By the time the kids are better you are sick. It's awful and there isn't enough support for parents in these situations.

Rest up, look after your family and have the attitude of it is what it is. If you were well enough to be at work then you would be. Parents with young dc will never be employee of the year but who cares. It's only work and you and your family matter more.

Because we are indoctrinated from a young age to believe that we must have 100% attendance at school/college/university/work or we will be in huge trouble. Therefore our brains make us feel guilty for being absent even if we are genuinely ill.

I feel this, every time my children and I are sick too regarding work - every time I stress and worry I'm either going to be sacked or a telling off when I go back in.
I have to tell myself time and time again (although it still doesn't stop me from worrying every time it happens!!!).. it is what it is, yes it's a job, but it's JUST a job. If work places can't understand and sympathise with these kind of situations some of us parents are put in, that's on them, and we cannot help being poorly or our children being poorly.. After all, our health and children's health matters more than anything. You're not the only one OP, so try not to let it drag you down so much, we're only human x

If you’re too ill then you need to be off.