WWYD- Go to work or not?

whitewing

I wrote my reply before I read your comments. If other parent could/would be around at home then I don't think it matters which of you is available (and I assume you'd only be at the end of the phone anyway at your job, but I'd want one of us to be able to drop everything for minor reasons rather than have to sit and weigh up whether to go in, leave early etc etc. Emergency decisions are fine, what I tend to find causes most stress as a working parent is when you feel that you ought to be somewhere but you have committed yourself to something else - it's the ability to change plans a number of times at the last minute that is valuable to me).

Spendless

whitewing wrote: »

Also, what happens on a practical level if the op is cancelled at the last minute, which has happened recently to someone I know.

Child would go home with other parents who has AL or can work from home or go to Grandparents, or have Grandparent sit with them at home whilst parent works.

marisco_2

I'd rather forfeit the extra income and live on beans on toast for a week, than go into work when my child was having an operation. I know that I would not be able to focus or concentrate on anything other than how my child was, so would be totally ineffective away from them.

Money_maker

My child. My 16 year old DS2 wanted me to be around when he had a GA and I will always be there for when he needs me.

Bring on the beans on toast, Marisco!

basil92

I'd be with my child...no matter what.

cutestkids

I could not contemplate going to work if my child was having an operation.

Spendless

whitewing wrote: »

but I'd want one of us to be able to drop everything for minor reasons rather than have to sit and weigh up whether to go in, leave early etc etc. Emergency decisions are fine, what I tend to find causes most stress as a working parent is when you feel that you ought to be somewhere but you have committed yourself to something else - it's the ability to change plans a number of times at the last minute that is valuable to me).

This is what made me make my decision earlier. I want the option of me being able to drop everything if need be and I can't guarantee that if I'm working and don't wish to spend my worktime wishing I was elsewhere. I might think the money would have been handy but I won't spend the day wishing I'd gone into work.

Money_maker wrote: »

My child. My 16 year old DS2 wanted me to be around when he had a GA and I will always be there for when he needs me.

Having made the decision, I then queried with DD about who she would like with her when she came round from her op and she answered 'both of you'

Dunroamin

Spendless wrote: »

Yes they could. They could also work from home as the have more flexibility in their role.
.

Problem solved.:)

lostinrates

My mil was faced with this when my bil was younger. She was lambasted by family and friends for going to a work thing when he needed an operation. He was with his father and other full time carer/ family member ( his nanny happened to be a family member too). If it were a father and his mother were with him I think people would have been more understanding.


I think it depends on the child and possibly the op, but I am not a parent. I cannot imagine any decision not to be with a child is that easy, but I don't think that makes it heartless.

bluenoseam

I'll answer with a little bit of a thought. Would you rather be sitting in a hospital with a billion and one thoughts running through your head OR would you rather be some place where you have something to distract you?

It's not the same situation but that's the reason why I went to work between being told I was ill & starting the treatment for it, cos if I'd had time to think about it I'd have been toast!

But it's your child, personally as I'm someone who can "deal" with bad stuff I'd be with them - but I'm not a parent & it would be situational weighing up the bigger benefit to the child.