Going back to work - worried about what will happen if DD gets sick

[jasperc163]

DD is 2 and I want to go back to work part-time. This would mean something like 3 full days where she would be at nursery 7.30-6.30.

What is worrying me is that i expect she will get the inevitable run of bugs in the first few months that she goes (she went to a nursery for a term aged 1 and was off sick with things she caught there for half of the time! I wasnt working then so it didnt matter so much). She currently goes to a childminder a few hours a week but there is no further space available.

So my question is - what do you mothers do who dont have OH's with flexible jobs or a backup system like parents nearby? I am concerned that if i start a new job (which would possibly by a temporary contract anyway)and call in saying i cant come in within the first few weeks i am going to get told not to bother coming back!

thanks
alice

Can your OH really not get any time off? I think if both parents are going to work then you both have to be flexible tbh. He can also make up time at work as well as you! If you have no family or friends that can support you then I think it has to work like that. If its a one off here and there could you swap days? I sometimes do this as I work part time too. You would need to check out with nursery though if they can be flexible.

thanks everyone.

Agree - need to check with nursery to see if they can take her different days the odd week if i have missed a day so i can make it up (but i know they will say it is on a case by case basis depending on capacity).

Unfortunately OH really cant take time off but he isnt forcing me to go back to work (though we could do with the cash) so it really is going to be my problem. I am more worried about the stress of it if it happens within a few weeks of a new job where obviously i have no relationship with them (once you've been somewhere quite a while it is different i think).

I do have to expand my 'support network' i know but unfortunately that takes time .

appreciate the help
alice

i'm really sorry to raise this but a sick child of two working parents IS both parents' problem IMO

he may not be able to take time off (although again he should be legally entitled to do so) but he should at least do his share of the thinking about it... hope he is!

nb a teacher friend of mine recommends 'first defence' stuff on sale at Boots - not for dd but for you - to avoid colds

I think you need a nanny rather than a nursery tbh.

When mine were in nursery, I got called at least once a week for the first couple of months (aarggh) with everything from conjunctivitis to mild tummy upsets to looking a bit off colour. One of mine was off nursery for 10 days!

A nanny can care for a child in your own home and you may find, especially if you are contracting and paid for the hours you work, that it ends up being better value for money

emergency childcare