It doesn’t matter how many vitamins you load them up with, how frequently you wash their hands or how dedicated you are to avoiding others struck down with illness, your child is going to get sick at some point. Whether that be a cold, the flu or some sort of ‘itis’ (tonsillitis, gastroenteritis etc) it’s never fun when your little one isn’t well, but it is a normal part of life and builds their immune system.
As a working mum, I will admit that the minute my baby is poorly I automatically start calculating the number of days he will need off nursery. I am mentally reorganising my to do list at work. I’m trying to figure out, based on his symptoms and demeanor, whether grandparents would be able to come and look after him or whether ‘only mummy will do.’
I’m not ashamed to admit that’s my thought process. It goes without saying that OF COURSE my number one priority is my little boy, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other factors that need to be considered. I’m very lucky to work for an amazing company who are extremely supportive and understanding, but I know that this isn’t always the case for others.
The thought of calling in sick when you’re not well can fill you with anxiety, but to call in ‘sick’ when you’re perfectly healthy but your child isn’t, can tip you over the edge. The guilt, the self-applied pressure, the exhaustion, the problem solving, the stress, the worry… all of these emotions are amplified when your baby is poorly.
It’s mentally and physically draining, but it will pass. Children are incredibly resilient, they can bounce back as quickly as they go down. Don’t ever feel apologetic or guilty for doing the mental maths as to how you’re going to get through the sickness bug. You’re allowed to think about how you’re going to juggle work whilst they’re off nursery. You’re entitled to use your own judgement, as their mum, to determine whether you could leave them with Nanny or Grandma. You know your baby better than anybody, don’t question your own instincts, you’ve got this.
The Working Mum Project 