WWYD- Go to work or not?

Scorpio33

I think it depends on how well off you are.

I know the OP said she didn't "need" the money, but if working meant that that money can cover some items that you would want covering, then I would be tempted to work - as it would reduce the stress around the other days I could spend with DD, meaning my overall time with her would be better at the sacrifice of just one day. Althought there are risks attached to an op with GA, it is only day surgery, and these types of ops happen every day, so the risk is relatively low.

However, if you don't need the money and are well off enough not to miss it, then what is the point in going in to work? Surely being there for your family is way more important than any amount of money/work? Also, if you do go to work for that day, what is to stop the work place expecting you to do the same in the future? Set a prcedent now and then work will know that your family come above anything.


Personally, I would not work. I don't see the point in working when I could be giving moral support to my child when they need me.

Mojisola

It wouldn't have mattered which of us had stayed with a child having an operation but one of us would have been there, seeing him/her into the prep room and waiting until we could go into the recovery room.

I suppose it depends what kind of parents you are. We've both been very hands-on parents - if one parent was less capable at the handling sick bowl and poorly child situations, it would make sense for the other to be the one at the hospital.

pukkamum

When my dd had her tonsils out she became hysterical when in recovery and I had to go down to her.
So I would always say be there, not so scare you but there can be complications with any ga and I would want to be on site just in case x

tooldle

I think I would go to work. As long as one of us was there to see child through the theatre prep stage, and present again at the recovery stage, I don't see the issue.
I do have a child and we have both always worked. Our approach has always been to juggle things between ourselves, in order to cause the minimum work disruption possible. Whilst the planned op might seem a significant event now, the future could bring a more significant need. None of us know what the future has in store. A pragmatic approach to more minor events could pay off later.
I ran into a ex nursery parent some months ago. She works full time as an infection control nurse. Over the years she has struggled with similar dilemas to that posted, for her three kids. Over the summer her youngest fell from a climbing frame and broke both arms and collar bones. Child has spent the summer encased in plaster, totally unable to use either arm. She was so glad that she had taken a pragmatic approach over the years. Her employer recognised this and was able to be really flexible in a time of real need.

tyllwyd

I think as a mum I'd take the day off - my OH is a great, very hands on dad, but I'm the one who works part-time so 99% of all these kind of things are organised by me. I think the kids and their dad would all feel that something was a bit 'odd' if I wasn't around.

And also you need to think about yourself - if your kid is having a general anaesthetic, they are likely to be feeling grotty for a day or two afterwards, maybe pain from the operation site, so you are likely to be running around, have a few bad nights sleep - if you can get a few days without having to work it might help a lot.

heartbreak_star

I'd go to work. My mum would have done too if it was me in hospital. We're both of the mindset that we'd rather be distracted than sat around worrying, plus if she knew my dad would be around that would be even better.

HBS x

sassyblue

Spendless wrote: »

Child is ten.

Since worrying about child has come up. The job is a busy one, so not much time to dwell and there isn't too much that could go wrong that couldn't be rectified.

I'd be with my child always.

With every GA there is a risk albeit small, l don't leave things like that to chance.

x

Bangton

I'd go to work knowing that the other parent was around to pick them up

Crystallady

Got to admit I'd have to stay with my child.
DH was recently in for a "routine" operation that turned out to be a marathon 8 hour one - I arrived at the hospital at 4pm expecting him to be back on the ward by 5pm but didn't see him until 11pm that evening.

Janepig

I don't think it would matter if it was me or DH, we're both equally capable of being their in a situation such as this. I'm usually the one that does the staying home if the kids are ill or whatever because my job is a bit more flexible, but if it happened that I HAD to work that day and DH could be there, then I'd go to work. I'd probably be on pins until I knew they were back from surgery ok, but I'd also be happy in the knowledge that they had DH there for them.

Jx