Childcare Arrangements/Sick Kids

[Mbg1109, BSN]

Hi all! 

I'm just reaching out for some advice on balancing family and work life. What does everyone do when their kids are sick and we have to work?? This has always been a point of stress for my husband and I. We have no family nearby to help or have any kind of backup plan in these situations. We have no choice but to take turns calling out when the kids are sick. 

Right now, I work from home- which I know sounds like the perfect plan, but I'm truly miserable in this position and I want to go back to patient care nursing where my heart is. I just don't know what I will do with my kids on sick days. This season has been so rough, we all had the flu for 3 weeks. If I had to call out that much, I would have been fired by now! 

 

 

 

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

I don't know the ages of your kids, and I know that this has it's own challenges, but are you able to work off shifts so that someone is always home? There are still some places that will hire weekends only, or if you take a night shift job you would be home during the day (but I realize that sleeping takes a hit).

Or there are sometimes facebook groups for moms in the area, you may be able to find a network of people where someone might be able to help you out. Granted, asking someone with kids to watch your sick kids might not work either, but you may find emergency contacts. Again, facebook or another social site could lead to college kids/youth in the area that might be willing to fill on an emergency basis. 

I can understand how a work from home situation may seem ideal but isn't a great reality. I hope you find something that works out for all of you!

Good luck! 

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Some facilities offer on site care for the sick children of employees. 

 

[Mbg1109, BSN]

Been there,done that said:

Some facilities offer on site care for the sick children of employees. 

 

OMG I wish, not here where I live. That would be amazing. It would make sense bc staff wouldn't need to call out. 

[LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM]

Based on the scenario you're describing, I'd try to set up a network of support you can call on from the get-go.  Look into local babysitting services, join mom's groups on facebook and ask if other moms are interested in being a backup or know a sitter who is, post notices at any nearby colleges/universities, etc.  Lots of people are looking for extra cash out there.  It just may take some legwork on the front end to get a handful of backup people set up.  Good luck!