Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Work and DC with chronic illness

2 replies

iambouddica · 30/06/2019 08:04

I’m not sure where to post this so hope here is ok?

Last year I returned to work after being a SAHM for 4 years. I work a couple of days a week but they now want me to take up more hours. I would like to do this. I have been lucky to get into a niche professional role which I want to pursue long term.

My DC2 (almost 4) has been poorly on and off for a while, even on my part time hours it has been a struggle to manage it. Unfortunately, what was being put down to a run of viruses etc, is now thought to be a chronic auto-immune issue. He is ill for 4-5 days every 4 weeks or so. Even when well he gets tired easily and will struggle with full time nursery.

Both my and DH’s work have been understanding but continuing to take this much time off is not sustainable. If it continues we have to prioritise DHs work as it pays 4 times what mine does. (Mine really only covers the cost of childcare...)

Has anyone had this situation? Do I speak to my work and explain and try to come to some flexible working arrangement? ( not easy - I’m customer facing so they can’t just save work up till I can get back). Should I just try to struggle on and see if it things improve (one we get a firm diagnosis I hope there might be medication which will improve things).Or should I accept that I will have to turn down the extra hours and potentially loose the ones I currently have.

Financially we are fine with me being a SAHM I am just sad to think I might have to leave my amazing job.

OP posts:
iambouddica · 30/06/2019 14:01

bump

OP posts:
PeppermintPatty10 · 30/06/2019 14:10

Oh gosh the poor little thing! And you and your husband - it must be really stressful for you both. Good that you might be getting a diagnosis soon - you might just have just thought that your son was incredibly unlucky.
I’m going to stick my neck out and say that I think you need to prepare for putting work on the backburner for now. If you were to leave of your own accord, with the right notice period etc, your employer would give you a brilliant reference or even give you your job back when your son’s health improved. By telling your employer that you’re going to concentrate on your son, you’re showing that you respect the workplace and your responsibilities.
Plus it would be much much less stressful when your son did get ill. I think that you can ‘have it all’ but just not all at once.

Does that sound like an option at all?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page