It's been a long time since I was too sick to go to school, but I remember my "recovery" days when I got to lay on the couch and watch TV. My mom didn't work so it was fairly easy to stay home... and I am sure she never had the guilt I felt on work days when my son was ill.
I was lucky enough to be able to work part time when my son was growing up, but some of those days meant being in the office from 9 to 2:30 or 3. Some days when Josh was sick, his dad was able to watch him and some I was able to stay home.
It's not an easy thing to navigate though, especially for parents who work full time. It's easier with work-from-home options on computers - but that doesn't work for everyone. When my son was small, there was a day care option for sick children, but I never used it. I guess I worried that by going there, my kid would be around other sick kids and get even more germs.
The best solution I found was finding people to take care of my son if I had to go work - people I knew well and trusted. I didn't have family nearby, but the people I knew became family, and that helped me feel a lot less guilty when I had to get to the office and knew it would be a while before I could return to my sick child.
Without the wonderful, cheerful, generous people who came to stay with my son -- sometimes on very short notice -- I honestly don't know where I'd be right now. You deserve much, much more than I paid you - and many more thanks as well.
Most of all I want to thank the incredible Katherine, for being with Josh on many occasions when I had to be out and about, whether my son was well or ill; for teaching him to love football; and for the magical way you have with children everywhere. You are the reason I have far less guilt than I could have had.
You made my son comfortable, safe and secure - and you made him laugh. You helped me get his fevers under control and called if something looked suspicious.
You were his guardian angel when I couldn't be. I will always be grateful. Thank you.
For more on strategies for working parents with sick children, I found these articles, just for you:
The Working Parent's Guide to Dealing With Sick Kids
Two Working Parents, One Sick Kid
3 Mistakes Working Moms Make When Their Kids are Sick
Parent & child photo: cheriejoyful
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