Time off work when toddler unwell

[hiimnew]

I have an 18 month who goes to nursery FT and DH and I both work FT. He has been unwell since Friday (temp, cough/cold symptoms and very clingy), and is not well enough to go to nursery. Until now we have had in laws who would help out in these circumstances but they have moved away so we have no one to help. One of us needs to take time off. We have agreed we should split the days off and take turns. I'm worried about the impression I'm giving at work, as I know I am entitled to do this an no one can say anything, but the culture at my work is really not the type where people take time off to look after children. Everyone works so hard and they all seem to have a SAHP to take care of their kids so it's really not the norm to call in sick for an unwell child. I'm concerned about how it would be viewed by my colleagues - I really love my job, I just wish the culture was a bit more family friendly. How do others feel when their colleagues take time off and they are left picking up the slack in the office?

[PurplePillowCase]

can you register with a nanny agency/babysitter service to cover the odd day?

[2014newme]

I was also just about to suggest an emergency nanny, not cheap but I had to do it when I was Injured. Depends whether your son would stay with a stranger.
Having no family nearby really makes it worthwhile building up a network of babysitters.

[hiimnew]

thanks - I think I do need to have a back-up plan of emergency babysitter / nanny. Probably the most difficult time to leave him with a stranger when he is poorly, clingly and only wants cuddles with myself or DH. But maybe that's what employers' expect as has been previous;y said, its not really their problem can staff can't just take time off every time their child is sick can they?

[CryingShame]

Make sure your employer knows that your DH is taking time as well. They're more likely to be understanding if it's obvious that both parents are pitching in and both employers are seeing the impact, not just "mum always takes the time off".

[Want2bSupermum]

You need some back up care and to be set up to work from home. I sit at the kitchen table working with sick child curled up on the sofa watching television.

[Want2bSupermum]

I also have at least two people I can call for every midweek half day

[wheresmycake]

Depending on the type of job or how the IT system is set up not everyone can work from home. I try to be as accommodating of work priorities as possible like swapping my non-working say in a week when DC was sick, checking emails while she naps, working late to make up time if possible but ultimately I have a life with greater responsibilities outside the office. If it is not my employer's problem when my DC is ill it is not my childs problem when I am asked to do unreasonable work outside my contracted hours

[TittyGolightly]

If it is not my employer's problem when my DC is ill it is not my childs problem when I am asked to do unreasonable work outside my contracted hours

I absolutely agree.

[Dozer]

Many employers are reasonable, although your sector isn’t known for it.

I found the following helpful:

Splitting time off with DH.

Talking to our employers and colleagues in advance about the likely need for unplanned annual leave.

We saved annual leave (six weeks in 18 months after I went back first time after may leave).

Switching to a childminder! This reduced DCs’ sickness IMO. The nurseries we used were all poor IMO at health/“infection control”!

We didn’t manage to get paid childcare back up, due to high cost £100 day in south east plus booking fee quoted by a couple of nanny agencies).