How do I do this? How do you?

[waltskids]

Are you a teacher? The reason I am asking is that in our school district, teachers can bank their sick and personal days. I assume this isn't an option for your district? I do know many of our teachers have very few days banked as a result of sick kids over the years. DH has way more days banked than me as a result of my two maternity leaves (we can use up to 45 paid days for maternity, rest is unpaid which is where I am now) but when DS or DD gets sick starting next year when I go back we will have to alternate taking days off if we can't find someone to watch them. Interestingly, we are not allowed to use sick days for children, only ourselves. So when we call the service to call out, they say 'reason?' and we must say 'illness'. I would suggest talking to your principal and may he/she can be of some support. DH and I both have no living parents, so I understand the need to have someone when your kids are sick. Perhaps a neighbor or stay at home mom friend who's kids are in school may help? Can your husband ask his employer for additional sick time or personal time?

 

[NHdisneylover]

Others have suggested to ask around about a stay at home mom who can help. During the two years I was a SAHM in Michigan and my own kids were in school I often watched other's sick kids. I always went to the person's house (easier on the sick child and less chance of exposure for my own kids--BTW I never caught anything from the kids I watched). Ocasionally I was helping out a friend for free, but once word got out that I could help I was in demand a lot and started charging $40 for the day (that's $5 an hour--I figured my time was easily worth that as I could not be getting my own chores or errands done). If you put word out even some SAHM who has not thought to do this prior to now may be willing.

 

[Sonya]

If you are concerned, maybe talk to your Principal? In general, I think people try not to be jerks.

I would go to him/her and explain that your kids have been sick (hasn't everyone!?) and you're concerned that you may run out of sick time by the end of the year. Ask what will happen if you go over 5 unpaid days. Reassure him/her that you're trying to find a better solution but that you're kind of limited.

At least then you might know the bottom line.

By the way, as a SAHM, I wouldn't have minded a friend or neighbor asking me to help out in this kind of situation. Everyone needs a little help every now and again.

THat sounds like a good idea.

That is just plain wrong. I know you may end up in a bind, but laying your problem on the other students and your child's teacher is just plain wrong. No other way to put that.

If your child has a fever, I can't believe you would willingly consider doing that. I'm sorry you're in that situation, but you need to find a different alternative. Aren't there any "sick-child daycares" in your area? Maybe ask a neighbor to help?

I KNOW that is wrong. I don't want to do it! But she had a 99 degree fever and I was going crazy at the thought of losing another day because of something so mild.

Others have suggested to ask around about a stay at home mom who can help. During the two years I was a SAHM in Michigan and my own kids were in school I often watched other's sick kids. I always went to the person's house (easier on the sick child and less cahnce of exposure for my own kids--BTW I never caught nayting from the kids I watched). Ocasionally I was helping out a friend for free, but once word got out that I could help I was in demand a lot and started cahrging $40 for the day (that's $5 an hour--I figured my time was easily worth that as I could not be getting my own chores or errands done). If you put word out even some SAHM who has not thought to do this prior to now may be willing.

I wish you were doing this and lived near me now! That is awesome!




BTW everyone, her fever broke yesterday so I was only off 2 days. During this whole time she ran around, played, didn't nap (normal for her) and acted fine. It's a bit madening to see your kid acting normal but with a slight fever and you know you can't take them to daycare. Now I am down to 5 days for the rest of the school year, I can take 5 unpaid, and I have to find out what happens after that.

 

[HM]

Unless my kids have a fever or are throwing up, they go to school. If I kept them home every time they had a cold or sniffles, we'd get very little learning out of a school year. Particularly this time of year when it might just be a seasonal allergy.

Good luck to your family. And best wishes for good health the rest of the year.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Our local hospital has a "Sniffles Club" in their pediatric unit. It's expensive ($90 for a day) and your child has to be pre-registered, but for a day when you absolutely have to be at work and your child is sick, it's a good option.

My son is old enough to stay at home by himself now if he is sick. I have to say it's a relief! He had strep throat earlier this week. I had to take off to bring him to the doctor, and now I'm home with the same illness. This school year has been horrendous so far. He missed the first two days of school because of a bad cold and ear infection. He got sent home because of a stomach virus a couple of weeks ago and now strep. He didn't get sick this often when he was in daycare. Like I said, it's a relief that I can leave him by himself if I have to go into the office.

 

[wvjules]

Is 99 even considered a fever? Is it a digital thermometer, ear thermometer? Maybe it isn't calibrated.

Acting fine and a questionable fever - I would have sent her to school.