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Original poster

I can’t do this

34 replies

Mellybell · 12/12/2021 22:53

Hi,
My child has tested positive for Covid. He’s not unwell (thankfully) just really clingy and needy! Wanting constant cuddles etc.
I had to start wfh from Friday, but I am a single parent and he has no brothers or sisters so there is literally just the two of us.
He’s only 5 and I work really long days where I am spending alot of time on the phone.

He will entertain himself for a while but then gets quite frustrated that he is technically on his own. I’ve tried numerous things to keep him entertained (switch, YouTube, my phone, set him little work booklets, made him a special corner next to me) but it’s just not cutting it.

He’s really emotional at the minute as he knows he’s not going to his school Xmas party, missing out on seeing his friends and just generally run down and quite sad alot of the time because he is a very social kid.

I can’t afford to not work, my boss isn’t really understanding and has told me to just crack on. I’m crying at the thought of having to do a full week of this and if I don’t hit my targets for work or do my job properly there will be consequences but I also don’t feel like I can just “ignore my child” so to speak.

I don’t know the point of this post just that I’m really struggling right now and wondered if anyone had any tips etc coz I’m dreading waking up and trying to find a balance when I know one or the other will suffer!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 12/12/2021 22:57

Can you take annual leave?

Original poster
Mellybell · 12/12/2021 22:57

No I have no holidays left but thank you for the suggestion.

OP posts:
HotPenguin · 12/12/2021 22:59

Can you take emergency parental leave, or work in the evening at all when he's asleep?

NoSquirrels · 12/12/2021 23:00

Can you afford any unpaid carer’s leave?

If not, is your boss sympathetic? Can you flex your hours and workload so that you’re more available in the daytime and catch up at night?

AnyFucker · 12/12/2021 23:01

You are looking a bit peaky. Is that a new cough I hear ? Got a bit of a temp, feel too unwell to work ?

I think you need a pcr and can’t work at the moment.

Bagelsandbrie · 12/12/2021 23:03

@AnyFucker

You are looking a bit peaky. Is that a new cough I hear ? Got a bit of a temp, feel too unwell to work ?

I think you need a pcr and can’t work at the moment.

This is what I would say / do.

Your child needs you more than your work does, I think you’re going to have to lie really if they won’t be understanding.

NoSquirrels · 12/12/2021 23:03

I’m sorry, I see you said your boss is not sympathetic.

I think you need to stand up for yourself here - “just crack on” is not OK from them as an employer. Do you have HR?

Emergency carer’s leave or - if this would inconvenience them too much - then they’ll need to reduce your targets and workload this week.

Biscuitandacuppa · 12/12/2021 23:04

Agree with @AnyFucker you are definitely unwell and need a postal test… that’ll buy you a week and hopefully your little one will be feeling much better.

It’s highly likely that cuddling a covid positive child will mean in a few days time you will test positive anyway 🤷‍♀️

Notdoingthis · 12/12/2021 23:19

Yep, hope you feel better soon OP. In the meantime, rest up.

CorsicaDreaming · 12/12/2021 23:22

Have you tried the CBeebies apps and the ones by Nosy Crow?

Agree with earlier posts re taking leave yourself, but if you can't these are worth trying too - they used to really entertain my DS at around that age (as well as the game Angry Birds - a bit randomly! ).

And Octonauts....

LookslovelyinSpringtime · 12/12/2021 23:23

What an awful situation to be in. I would pull a sickie too.

ShadesOfMagenta · 12/12/2021 23:29

OP - this sounds tough - do you have any relatives or friends willing to entertain your DS via Zoom for short periods of time? Eg reading him stories or something? Might be worth a try.

Do you have any sympathetic colleagues that could do some of your workload?

Other than that I agree that you may need to call in sick.

CorsicaDreaming · 12/12/2021 23:32

When we used to go on flights I would wrap up a load of little things in tissue paper and then let DS open one every 20 minutes or so on the flight to try and keep him entertained.

One of those Poppit fidget things
A small colouring book
A Kinder hippo
Some play doh
Some stickers
One of those foil scratch card picture books
A toy car / dinosaur

That kind of thing - And it did work quite well. But it would require buying a load of Internet stuff and wrapping it all up (or raiding his Christmas stocking prezzies?) - which you probably haven't got much time to do - but it could buy you sometime during the day (if you've got Amazon Prime you could get next day delivery)

Luredbyapomegranate · 13/12/2021 00:22

I think you’re coming down with it, honestly.

It would be a wonder if you weren’t. Rest up,

BoundariesAlready · 13/12/2021 00:25

You definitely look a bit pale and like you're feeling really unwell. Back to bed with you until your PCR comes back.

Original poster
Mellybell · 13/12/2021 07:10

Thank you for your replies! I can’t really afford to go sick though, I won’t get paid 😩

OP posts:
MinesAPintOfTea · 13/12/2021 07:15

Any family members who aren’t working this week? During lockdowns my parents would spend hours on zoom with DS and his cousins doing “draw with Rob” videos together etc. Can you start before he wakes up and have a longer lunch break?

Bordois · 13/12/2021 07:15

The going sick plan will backfire massively if OP genuinely gets sick in a couple of weeks...

Roselilly36 · 13/12/2021 07:26

Sounds a difficult situation Op Flowers. Can his father help? Can you take regular breaks throughout the day? Perhaps set a clock/timer for your next break, so your child has a visual reminder. If you can’t lose pay, then you will need to make the best of it this week, as tough as it may be. Good luck, you will get through it.

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 13/12/2021 07:29

Such a shitty situation, I’m sorry. It will be hard but can you try and get more work done when he’s asleep in the eve… not ideal I know!

More tv time for a few days, arts and crafts, have you got a garden you can try and tire him out in?

Isthisthereaklife · 13/12/2021 07:30

God nightmare - you will get through it though

Let him sleep as long as possible while you’re working then maybe set an alarm clock and show him you will do a lilts activity on the hour with him ? Order some Lego on Amazon for him to build in between playing with you ? Good luck, you’ll be through it soon ! Xx

WarriorN · 13/12/2021 07:33

I'm so sorry you have norovirus op. Get well soon ThanksBrew

WarriorN · 13/12/2021 07:34

I'm sorry, I didn't see your update.

Can you put a film on and both snuggle under duvet, but ear plugs and laptop for you?

Sleepyquest · 13/12/2021 07:34

Would you not get SSP op? Could you take some time off during the day and catch up in the evening?
Could your Internet 'go down' for a couple
Of hours one day?

WarriorN · 13/12/2021 07:36

I actually wonder if you need to seek advice from someone such as citizens advice or pregnant then screwed as this is extreme discrimination against you for having a child to look after.