The guilt of being home sick with a child...

[raggedyanne]

I started work again about 8 months ago and have since only had two days off one for each child but am home again today with little one who has swine flu.I am the only one available to look after him and of course I am his Mummy and want to,but the guilt!I feel like I am letting work down even though I only have a part-time job.But it is five days 9-3.It may well be that I am away a few more days this week and I am dreading ringing in to work.I am so torn and hate feeling like this but there isnt anything I can do.I envy my neighbour who is a SAHM and completely content.It is not a problem when her children are unwell because she is there.Does anyone else feel like this?

I was off yesterday with dd who has a chest infection and it is a very odd feeling. When I rang into work I almost had to stop myself using the ill voice.

Ds2 was ill a couple of weeks ago and I had to take a day off to get him to the Dr's. Felt really bad calling in, but it has to be done.

Doesn't help though when my line manager has 2 children who are never ill, never has any childcare issues and has loads of family to help her

Now off to call in sick for myself. Don't think thats going to go down too well.

Hope your ds recovers soon

I know me too!Is your DD back at school now?

Thanks guys,it is always nice to know others are in the same boat.When my daughter was younger we had family around to help out but now my husband and I are on our own,its so hard.I have a friend who works three days but they can be any three days so if children are unwell she just changes her week around.This works well.

I'm so sorry your DD is sick. How well does she know your SAHM neighbour? Would she help out?
I am a SAHM, and I have no problem with other parents at DH's work dropping a sick kid off to spend the day with me and DS, especially if they have no childcare alternatives.
Also, is there any work you could get on with at home? That might sweeten the blow to your team if you are worried about letting them down.
It sucks if your manager has kids that never get sick and is snotty about yours, but as a parent she must understand that some kids have weaker immune systems, and I'm sure she would never leave hers at home/with someone else if they did catch the dreaded swine flu.
Maybe you could take DD round to play with her 'never sick' kids and see if they really are indestructable...

It is my little boy who is unwell sorry probably confusing post,we are good friends but would not want to inflict SW on her children.He is way to unwell anyway and I have to be here with him,the guilt of leaving him would be far worse than what I feel for work.I could probably do some work from home but my main work is quite hands on and have to be there.That is lovely that you can be there for other Mums Gracie,I just feel like perhaps I should just be at home for the next couple of years while DS is so small.I just want to be there for him 100% and feel like I am not whilst worrying about how many days I am to be off etc..

I agree raggedy, and that's why I am at home for my little one. There are some families who really can't afford to be on one income though, so I'm more than happy to look after their sick babies when the nursery refuses them.
Just got back from GP and turns out my DS has the dreaded swine flu too. Unfortunately I'm pg so they are making me have a vaccine (ouch!) but luckily DS isn't too sick with it. They have said as long as I can control his temp with medised then he doesn't need to have tamiflu just yet.

Does your dh share the time off?

Yes he does Ivy but they are quite strict his end and he has alot more pressure than I do so only if I get desperate.Looks like he might have to again later in the week.I hope you are ok,my DS seems a little better this afternoon although slept pretty much all day.