We often talk about sacrifices we have to make as working mothers on here. We have limited time. We are constantly trying to please multiple audiences with family and work. We don’t get to take them to fun activities. We have to move heaven and Earth if they get a fever a 10 am and have to pick them up. It is part of the gig. But some of us often get some luxuries added perks that our at-home counterparts don’t get.
Personal sick days. When we are sick, we can take a break and rest. Hell, I pay good money for it actually. This past week, the NC pollen finally broke me. I woke up Sunday night and my eyes wouldn’t stop watering and I couldn’t stop sneezing. I then went on to not really sleep the rest of the night. I felt like total ass at 6 am and waved my white flag. Being 25 weeks pregnant, I can’t even throw back some decongestant and try to make it through the day. I get Netipots and Vicks (read: worthless). So Kevin took Landon to daycare and I sat on the couch. I drank hot tea. I took an extra long hot shower. I could blow my nose without feeling like I was disturbing all my coworkers. I really rested. I don’t know the last time this has happened. Even when I take a “vacation” day or weekend, I end up running errands for the house and cleaning or something like that but not that day. Me and Netflix got reacquainted and I even half napped. By afternoon, I was feeling better. It was a allergy recovery and mental health day wrapped into one.
But as I was reflecting on my day, I recalled how so many moms don’t get that. If they are at home with hyper kids and they get sick? It is business as usual. And if they are like me, a whiny kid will send you over the edge sometimes. Like when you can’t breathe out your nose and all they want to do is go outside. You know…where the evil pollen is! KILL ME NOW! My fuse is really short when I am miserable and it really isn’t good for either party. At least this way, Landon is getting an educational experience instead of how I would just throw on Thomas for WAY too long. God bless daycare and God bless my employer for an excellent sick day policy. Monday was just what I needed to feel like I wasn’t drowning in my own snot.
Now I know this isn’t true for everyone. Alicia noted this was the downside of a nanny in her home. If she goes home, they are all there but at least there is someone there to help in this case. Also I realize sick days aren’t free for everyone. Planning a sub curriculum as a teacher is just as tiring as teaching sometimes but you do have the option if it comes down to it. By paying that scary daycare/nanny bill, we are buying a little buffer for those times we need it.
So I guess I am saying take your sick day. Is it better to muddle through a week of feeling like crap or take that one day and get some needed down time and rest for an already action packed mama schedule? Seems pretty obvious to me.
Do you take sick days for your self? Is it still a battle in your job? Let us know about it.
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There are definitely days I’d kill for a sick day. Your day sounds nice and like a great way to rejuvenate and feel better quickly.
I was sick (as in stomach flu sick…) a few weeks ago and Mike couldn’t be home from work. I could barely manage to make the kids toast without having to sit down or run to the bathroom. He did bring them home lunch, but otherwise I was on duty (for both work and kiddos) all day, despite feeling like death. Definitely a negative!
God speed my friend
Twitter: mannlymama
I do take sick days, though rarely b/c I don’t have sick leave, and it’s painful to use vacation time for being sick. I’d rather be sick at work and take a vacation when I feel good. Though there’s not much taking vacations these days. I like to take alsick day when I feel ok, and try to get errands run. Friday, I went house shopping, e.g. It’s really the only time I get a break from work/mom so I relish it.
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Yeah my random vacation days wear me out with doing ALL THE THINGS.
Twitter: mannlymama
Absolutely agreed! I had the stomach bug last month and took TWO sick days. I slept all day on Monday and Tuesday actually made it to the couch to nap and watch DVR. It was all I could do to get E to the sitter those days (husband works in opposite direction), but it was worth it for her not to catch the bug and have my sanity. But I knew not taking those days would just drag everything out, so I was glad that I did it. Sometimes it’s the little things.
I can’t even imagine with a stomach bug. Ugh
Twitter: mannlymama
Most of my “sick” days are used to take days for the kiddo. I’m kinda jealous that you were able to stay home solo just for you. My last sick days for me, I kept Abby home with me…There was lots of movies and Sesame Street and occupying herself, so I was able to rest.
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Yeah I’m lucky. We get unrestricted sick leave. Actually we have taken sick days when taking the dog to the vet. Our bosses say it counts as family. But oddly, I take maybe 2-3 days a year max.
Twitter: mannlymama
I had this same thought recently when I was sick! I realized that one of the pluses of working outside the home is that when I’m sick, I can send Baguette to day care and get some rest during the day: http://tragicsandwich.com/2012/01/20/day-care-is-important/
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I really live it up while I can!
Twitter: mannlymama
If I’m sick, I am typically still expected to work from home – and there’s plenty of freelance work for me to do if I’m not. I envy your sick freedom!
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Well yes I had plenty I could have been doing…but that wasn’t going to help me get better either. The dishes, laundry, blog posts could all wait. Priorities change sometimes.
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Twitter: mannlymama