My childcare has been up the spout for the last few weeks.
I'm a PhD student, and it's understood that I'm 'flexible'. It is agreed that I nromally turn up on certain days, in particular on Fridays for our team meeting and 1-1 chat with my supervisor.
1-1 chats haven't been happening - too many MSc students to look after over summer. The 'team meeting' this week has been replaced by a talk (not really relevant to my research). I'd classify it as 'facetime' - showing up and being visible to my boss and co-students.
I missed the last meeting because of this childcare thing. The chidlcare thing is ongoing - and likely to take until the end of summer to stabilise. I could - if push came to shove - use an 'emergency childcare' place (although DS2 hates it!).
Is using half a day of scarce childcare to 'show my face' important? Or should I prioritise clawing out time to work-work to finish my paper before the end of July, like I need to?
DH think PhDs are about being independent, and I shouldn't be over worried what other epople think, so long as I can progress my work. I'm worried about people feeling I'm taking advantage of the flexibility if they don't see me often enough.