Work and taking time off to look after sick kids.?

This week I was called to collect my 3 year old from nursery as she was running a temperature. I kept her off the following day and then my son who is 11, fell ill as well. I have been off work 3 days now. I have kept in contact with my office and instructed the staff as best I could but my boss is going crazy with me and saying things like 'this can't happen again' - as if I had a choice! My boss has always been fairly unreasonable when it comes to time off and I appreciate the inconvenience to my office but I have offered to do work at home and am available on the phone should anyone need me. However, my first priority is looking after 2 sick children - I don't feel well myself now but I don't have the luxury of taking time off for myself! My husband does normally do his share but was unable to help this week. Last year I was off a total of 8 days for the children which was less than the time I took off when my father died! Does anyone else get this at work?

To Mrs M - I don't get paid for those days off and wouldn't expect it. As for your generalisations about working mums - I think most people will find your comments silly and immature. I have colleagues who have no children and are off regularly and do little work when they are there! And as for lifestyle choices - the economic policies in this country demand two wages just to keep our head above water. Its not a preferred choice to work and have children. Constructive answers only please....

Your boss sounds like a right prat, can you look for another job

This is a difficult one especially if you do not have the support of an extended family or friends.

My Son and daughter in law had the same problem and resolved it by my daughter in law finding evening work so that at least if one of the children is taken sick she will be home during the day. Perhaps not the ideal situation but at least you would have not worries during times of sickness and school holidays.

I can empathise with you as well...when my children were little I never worked even though we were as poor as church mice ...we survived. It's not going to be an easy matter to resolve to everyone satisfaction.

by law you have a right to take time off for dependants, this means children if they are sick or need to go to hospital, i cant remember the exact details so citizens advice may be worth a ring. they cant stop, sack or harrass you for this

As an employer I have a member of staff like you, kids always sick. I wish I had never employed her. A business is not an open money pit, someone has to do the work and it's normally people without children. I found working mothers, lazy, selfish, non team players and do not care about their jobs nor their work colleagues. They go early, come in late and their work is never up to standard. Women like you give other women in the work place a bad name.

Having children is a life style choice, in other words you have made your bed now lie in it. I hope your boss does not pay you.