Sick days

[Erin2017]

Hi everyone,

I hope I am posting in the right place!

I am a teacher and have had a couple of days off this year with sickness. My LO had chicken pox just before Chirstmas and I had to take two days off (thankfully we then had Christmas break to get over the pox) however she is now unwell again. I have been off since Monday caring for her, initially the doctor said she had a red ear and throat however since yesterday she has had awful vomiting and diarrhea.

My heart is breaking for her because she keeps asking for because she clearly has a sore tummy and also seems hungry but nothing is staying in.

I am also getting more and more stressed about work. I am on day 3 of sick leave for my LO - I took her to the doctor today and he said V&D can last 5- 7 days. Nursery will not take her until 48 hours after the last bout of v&d so this could be up to 9 days (worse case senario).

I am a single mum so no other half to help out with childcare. My family are up in Scotland ( I am down South) so no support locally either. I am so worried about missing work and possible repercussions. I also have teachers guilt being off! And I feel terrible thinking about work when my LO is so poorly.

And I am exhausted!

Sorry to rant, what do others do when their little ones are poorly? Esp single mums? Or other teachers? Should I ask for unpaid leave? Does it really take 5-7 days to pass?!

You shouldn't ring in sick if it's not you that's sick. It should be unpaid leave due to childcare. Most employers though expect you to have some sort of back up plan so you don't need more than a day off for something like this.

Absoloutley agree with the above. This isnt sick leave. You are able to take unpaid emergency parental leave if needs be.

Thanks for the helpful responses. I obviously did not call in and tell my employer I am sick .. sick leave as in for my sick child. I have been honest with my Headteacher and updated him daily about my daugher.

Any single mums have advice as to what you do? I can't be the only single mum living with no support away from family? How do manage financially if you are unpaid leave and still having to pay nursery fee's ( and still keep a roof over your LO's head and food on the table :s )

Are you claiming support with your childcare costs? As a lone parent you can be eligible for up to 70% of your childcare costs back in tax credits.

I am a single parent. I often rely on my other single mum friends to help out. We juggle a lot between us. Also I don't work full time as I'm not able to commit to that, which might be the case for you.

Dependants leave exists for this reason and is unpaid so that the employer can pay cover if needed.

However it's only to make alternative arrangements, not to cover the duration of the illness. Three days off would be excessive for most employers and many would take action.

Parents juggles themselves (no reason the dad can't help just because you have split), use friends, families, emergency childcare etc.

Thanks NapQueen - I might check again.

I was just above before but my pay has dropped a little. London nursery prices are just so much!

Teachers usually get some paid personal days each year for this kind of thing as you can't take last minute holiday. As long as you're honest, I'm sure your head will discuss it on your return to work

Does the father not have any days he is responsible for her care? I was separated. I ended up, after two years, letting h move back because of parents evenings, open evenings etc. as they are out of childcare hours

Also
Going pt wont help as kids wont always get sick on the days you dont work!

My mum looks after my ds when i am at work but if he was sick she wouldnt because she wouldnt want to catch it and pass it on to anyone else. Childminders, nurseries & schools are the same.

Would people really look after someone elses sick child?

I have used emergencies nannies in this situation. I am a self employed single parent so I could loose significant work if I am off too long.
The emergency nannies I have had were amazing one even offered to have my tea cooked for me when I got home.
I then went to having au pairs.

I find it unhelpful that some PP's repeatedly say the father should help. The OP has said she has no local support and that presumably means the father too, I doubt it is something she would not have thought of otherwise. OP I would look into emergency nannies. It's only the odd day and they do get less ill as they get older (generally!) so wouldn't be expensive too often. London should have loads of good ones.