Message #60924

[countrigal]

Gee, I must disagree with you to a point.  My husband and I spent 10+ years together before we had babies.  As far as being prepared, I'd say we were as prepared as anyone could be.  We were both set up in good careers, set comfortably financially, and able to afford the necessary daycare, so I could return to work.  But when the babies get sick, one of us must take off work to stay at home with them.  I do not have the option, nor does hubby, to work flex-hours, or different tours, as these are set by the companies.  For you to say that parents are irresponsible for having kids and not being able to make alternative arrangements for their care when they get sick and report to work as normal, well, let's say it's small-minded.  My alternative arrangement is to either take off work, or for my husband to.  If I had an alternative, I might not take it even, because my priority is to my family, and if my child is sick and is needing a mother or father to make them feel better -- and help them get healthy faster by getting that positive and loving feeling from us -- then that's where I'll be.  If my job can't do without me for a day or 2, then I'd say I'm in the wrong career or the wrong office.  I don't anyone of us who is so important that if we're gone for a day or 2 that the whole office comes to a halt -- it might stumble, but it continues.

Me, I don't send my kids to school sick if I can help it.  If I think it's just a passing thing, then I might, but I also let my boss know as soon as I come in that I may be called out due to a sick child.  Luckily my company has a good leave policy and we're able to use our annual leave as well as sick leave to take care of family members when needed.  And bossie is real understanding when I have to call in first thing in the morning and tell him that I have a sick baby and have to stay home.  He knows that when I do return to work, I'll put my all into it, and if I were to come in and leave my baby with someone else, I'd be worrying and only 50-70% "here".

Also, note that not everyone has the resources available to have alternative arrangements set up for when their kids get sick.  For the first time since I left home, I have family around that may be availble to sit with a sick child if/when needed.  Until my father moved down here, I had no other options, as daycares won't take them when they're sick.  And my father is not comfortable with babies, so even he's not really available until the boys are a bit older -- unless it's only for a very short timeframe.  So remember, not everyone has the same options and what is right for some may not work for others.

CountriGal
Peer Moderator