Who is expected to take days off to look after sick children?

polejunkie

The mums or the dads?

How do couples who both work sort out this argument?

Alter_ego

polejunkie wrote: »

The mums or the dads?

How do couples who both work sort out this argument?

Why argue? Just sort it according to circumstances.

marmul

I dont earn as much as my partner, so therefore I take day off as it costs less. Also, much as my dd is a daddy's girl, when shes not well, she wants her mum.

zagfles

In our case I always do because I can work at home, my wife can't.

Sometimes it depends on the attitude of the bosses, we used to have a very sexist boss who whenever a female employee needed time off for a sick child it'd be "yes of course" but if a male employee ever needed the same it'd be "why can't your wife do it"...

SandC

I don't have children but my brother and sister in law have always sorted it according to needs at the time. Sometimes it's been easier for my bro to take a day off, sometimes my sis in law. There are all sorts of variables involved but I'd say by and large it tends to fall on the mum.

Dillence

We just split it 50/50 depending on whos busiest that day. We have done days were its a handover at lunchtime, we both have had to compromise and miss things at work.

HRV

Difficult one- Im expecting twins- we have decided that I will be first call on the day the child is ill (ie. if it needs collecting from nursery) as Im closer and then OH will take time off if necessary after.

I am a teacher and whilst my headteacher will allow us to go in an emergency she would expect that we make other arrangements for subsequent days. My OH works all over the country so often will not be close by but has the flexibility to change his work plan if necessary- but we would prob see if grandparent could have them if they werent too poorly

I think it depends on your jobs (if both working full time) and family circumstances

DON79

It used to be me and hubby stayed at work/went to work - he works for an emergency service so his job is more important. now it is me all the time as I am a sahm.

Plans_all_plans

I take the time off (I'm wife and mum BTW) This is because although we both work for flexible employers, I am only part time and my boss is ultra flexible with me, so it's easier for me to do.

If our daughter came down with a bad illness, we both get a week's dependent's leave - I think this is paid too, so we could use that if necessary. I'd use mine up first though.

I think I'm (marginally!) better at looking after our DD and she is always keen on having me look after her as she is more used to me, if that makes sense.

Same with the school holidays, I use my leave up first and my husband uses his up afterwards. It seems to work for us.

Mrs_Arcanum

Boss & his wife do turn & turn about as they can work from home.

So far mine have not been sick on a day that affects either of us working. DH does 4 on 4 off & I do 4 half days a week.

skylight

Even when my now ex and I worked at the same place with me earning a lot more money than him, he refused to look after the sick ones. His excuse was he had the "manager" title and I didn't. (Different departments).

One of the millions of reasons he is now an ex.


Realistically it should be on circumstances, what each parent has on for those few sick days and so on.