Conference. DS2 (15) with me. He's ill

[denhaag]

I've come away to a conference (abroad). The only way I could come was if DS2 came with me. It's 1/2 term.
We arrived yesterday evening, all fine. I left early this morning for 1/2 day of workshops. Came back and DS2 is in bed unwell.
He had got up, had a shower (sitting down), ate a bowl of yogurt and then gone back to bed. He's pretty much slept the whole day.
Headache, dizzy, fever (I don't have a thermometer, but he feels warms to touch and is under a million covers). No sickness.
He got up briefly, then back to bed.

So.....now I don't know what to do. If we were at home and he reassured me he was just going to sleep or stay in bed and would call me if he needed me, or a friend/neighbour, then I'd feel OK going out.

I am presenting tomorrow. I have a colleague who could step in, but he's only been with us 5 months - the slides are OK and I have good talk notes, but it's horrid to dump something like that one someone.

It was 1/2hr walk each way so I could get back quickly in an Uber (or local delegate with a car).

I'm also worried that if he's still unwell on Wednesday he won't be able to travel - Eurostar late evening. I have insurance and the health card thingy but waaaaa....what rotten timing.

I'm a lone parent so no partner to talk it over with. I did msg my sister but she hasn't replied. I feel quite alone.

Good luck today OPhope he's ok and you are able to go.

My 15 year old would have been pretty chill with me heading off if he knew he could call or WhatsApp and that I was only a drive away.

Presentation done. All fine.
I checked on DS when I woke and just before I left and was confident he was no worse. His room open out to 2 foot of landing before plunging down VERY steep stairs, so I was concerned about him getting dizzy.
He's been in touch a couple of times and just now tells me he's feel better than yesterday and should be OK to travel tomorrow evening.
We do need to check out of the airbnb by 11am, though I need to leave at 8am. I'll see if they'll let us stay a bit longer.

I'll worry about that later. Lunch now- starving!

Might be worth contacting some local chain hotels to see if they do a Day Rate - big chains like Hilton and Marriott used to offer a room for a day price so you'd get the room 10am-6pm.

OP, you are a brilliant mum. DS will be fine, and well done for cracking on with your career while being a single parent. A role model for DS.

The airbnb hosts have very kindly agreed to let us stay until 6pm tomorrow (rather than 11am), this means I can go to the conference while DS stays in bed, leave it a bit early (just the wind up stuff anyway), pack, tidy etc and then leave for the Eurostar.

I'm so grateful to them. We would have worked something out, but this is a weight off my mind. Hopefully I will sleep better tonight.

Brilliant update, OP.

Massive well done - I hope you smashed the presentation.

You and you DS sound like you have a lovely relationship. How brilliant going to international conferences with your fantastic mum. What a brilliant childhood for him.

(Sorry he was poorly this time - he still has a wonderful role model though x)

You do your presentation, dose him up and leave him food, drink& Netflix and he'll be good as gold.

Pay attention at the back please!
The presentation was today.
He's on the mend.

i do admire women. They have to cope with so much. Can you imagine a single dad away at a conference having to take their child.

Thanks for the update and well done, glad he's on the man's and most likely needed a break and a rest, maybe not in your airb&b!!

Hope the speaker slot went well.

He’s 15. You leave him in bed with drinks, snacks, paracetamol and a phone and go to the conference.

Glad to hear they're letting you stay a bit longer. Safe journey home - fingers crossed for no random strikes by Belgian or French railways 😅