Bug Pit babies and going back to work.

[ElenorRigby]

I returned to work a month and half ago. Since then DD 9 months old has been sent home from nursery 3 times sick, which I had to take carers leave for. Also I've managed to catch 2 bugs off her and Ive had a couple of days of sick due to that.
Now Im getting worried that work will start getting fed up and arsey with me if these days off continue.

MNer's in your experience how often do babes of this age get ill? How much time should I expect off with these minor ailments? How have work been with you?

Im just a bit worried Ill get in trouble and/or all my holidays will be sat at home with a sick bairn.

I've been back for 10wks so a bit longer - DD's 10m and we've had a vomiting bug, an ear infection and two bouts of conjunctivitis, one severe enough to need antibs.
Luckily DD was vomity over a bank holiday weekend so I only took sick leave when I caught it myself, but I took two days parental leave for the ear infection.

My employers are realistic about this - they know that the early days at nursery are the worst, and the more slack they can cut me now the less likely it is that I'll find being back at work too stressful to take and will leave after my contractual 3m is up.

Agree with MrsB, work were great with me when ds1 was sick. I was part-time and when I was off it always looked worse than when I was full time.

As I worked half Wednesday, Thursday, Friday if ds1 caught a bug from nursery on thursday I would end up having to get him thurs pm and then took fri off.

To my colleagues I was only in for 1 day that week. Got lots of stick from them but my manager was fantastic.

They soon toughen up their immune systems. It is strange because now I am sahm and ds2 is never sick!!

Nursery is a breeding ground and the children all play in very close proximity so it is inevitable that babies get ill. I also used to get everything ds1 had including regular bouts of conjunctivitis. Again it's the close proximity thing!

The first year of nursery is the pits isn't it, after that the little darlings develop greater immunity IME. I've beent hrough it with both my dc and yes I did use a lot of my holiday time just being at home with a sick child. Can your dh/dp not use some of his holiday time in the same manner to ease the load a bit ? If its just conjunctivitis could your parents help at all for half a day ?

You could chat with your line manager/boss about the issue to show that you appreciate their being understanding and that you are worried about your employment record.

Thanks for the replies

I meant to go back to work doing 4 eight hour days (32 hours) but with things going tits up financially (higher food, gas/electric, fuel etc etc) I really need to do 4 nine hour days.
DP has limited time as he has a 5yo DD who he has shared residency with his ex. DP's entire holidays do not cover the 35ish school holidays DP has to take off to look after his 5yo DD, so basically its up to me to look after 9 month old DD when shes sick as DP doesnt have the holiday time. My parents are in their 70's and not able to look after DD for a whole day, at most they can look after her for an hour or two. DP's parents are 30 miles away and have always been unhelpful where childcare is involved going back to when DP's 5yo DD was a baby.

I guess I just have to hope that work is ok with me. I have to work, I have a baby to look after, a mortgage and bills to pay!

Can't your DP use a holiday club for part of the DD's school holidays or isn't there one at the school ? Ours is lots of fun and they have trips out, make things, have a wide range of playstation/PS2 stuff (which ds doesn't have at home yet). Ds is 5 and already looking forward to the summer holiday club which we will use for a couple of weeks of the long summer break.