My 4 year old wasn't feeling well last night and woke up with a fever. She seems fine this morning but I can't take her to daycare today because of her fever (they will just send her home if it flares back up and won't allow her back tomorrow because she has to be 24 hour fever free). So I stayed home from work with her today. And if you read my post yesterday, re: work issues, I was happy to do so! Anyway, my husband was not thrilled that I am taking the day off (no pay) but he couldn't do it, so I took one for the team, right?
So here's the poll:
If you took a day off work because of a sick child (that isn't that symptematic) would you:
1. Spend the day cleaning and doing things around the house that get pushed on the back burner due to time contraints every work/school day
or
2. Relax, watch a little Oso with the little fella, maybe take a nap, paint my toes. You know, none chore things.
It's been stressful around here lately with work, I just had to go back to court with my ex of over 6 years, and other various things. So things have been put on the back burner around here, but I also feel like I deserve some relaxation before I pick up our school aged kids.
Both. Absolutely both.
But if the kid is REALLY sick and just wants to cuddle all day, I'm happy to not leave them hanging.
I usually do a little of both-throw some laundry in, watch some Tv, vacuum the living room, take a nap...
Little bit of this, and a little bit of that.
I would do a little of both. Just enough chores to not feel guilty. Enjoy your day!
I am a SAHM...so there is really no difference if my kid is home sick or not..my day flows the same with a mixture of 1 and 2 because what is left on #1 will get addressed the next day when sick kiddo goes back to school.
I say if I were in your shoes then I would most definitely choose number 2. I think your soul could use some Oso, snuggles, pretty toes and a nap. You face the "to do" list everyday at home and work...I think you need to use it as a "sick day". Go to the couch and plant your butt there for awhile...enjoy!
I would do a little of both. I have a hard time relaxing when I know that there are things that need to be done. If I accomplish some of what needs to be done, then I am able to relax. I would probably work half the day and relax half the day.
I think you do what you need to do most. Sometimes you need to clean and do other chores and sometimes you need a break, some time to relax and chill out (and you shouldn't feel guilty about it either!)
Why not do both?
When my kids stay home from school (of course, I mean school school, not daycare or preschool. They are middle and high schoolers.), they do not get to sit and watch tv and play video games all day. I assume that if they are too sick for school, then they need to be in the bed resting. With a book or the back of their eyelids. Maybe by afternoon, I will let them have TV grazing rights. It hasn't been an issue at all for us the past few years so... I might just let them do whatever at this point. They'd sleep until noon anyway.
As for YOU. Do both. Set a timer and do some catching up. Then, when you spend x amount of time, or you complete x,y,z chores, stop, and put your feet up with your little one. Then, you can put your feet up totally guilt free. :)
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I do both - spend time with the sick child comforting him or her, but let them have down time or nap time and get my own work done. But then again, it's my job to be home.
I'd probably do half and half. I'd relax with my sick child, but whenever she was napping or playing quietly I'd be doing house chores. I wouldn't use the day to paint my toes and all that - otherwise it would be a waste of a day. No pay and no progress at home!
I know I'm late on an answer to this, but I think that you should spend some time with the little guy (most important), do one nice thing for yourself (nap or paint toes), and do one area of chores. Spending time with him alone would be an incredible deposit in his little bank of emotions - something that he may never forget. That is the best thing you can do. Then have him help a little with the chores. Then have him watch his favorite cartoon while you paint your toes. :)
If kiddo isn't feeling well he may want to sit on the couch and watch TV all day. He may be just fine and want to play and run amok all day because he's bored.
Play it by ear.
Relax. Consider it a mental health day. :)
Getting caught up on the cleaning does relax me. I would do a little of both.
Both - but depending on how sick my little one is, I may cuddle more than work. I am lucky to keep up on the laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc. so I there's no way I could just sit all day!
I refuse to answer this question because everyone is different! It sounds to me like you want permission to take a day off though. If that is what you are looking for I say "Have fun Sister!"
Whenever I stay home with a sick child I do a little cleaning but mostly just cuddle with my child and baby them. By cleaning I mean throw clothes in the washer/dryer and maybe fold. Run the dishwasher and empty it. Nothing that will take me long and something I can stop halfway through if my kid needs me. I usually just see what my kid wants me to do.
If I were your best friend I would tell you to do number 2! You need a day to chill.
If it were me, I would do a combo platter of 1 and 2.
When our son is sick he usually sleeps all day.
He might get up long enough to use the bathroom but then he goes back to sleep - in my room - something about sleeping in my spot just makes him feel comforted.
If he's feeling better toward the late afternoon or evening then the tv gets turned on.
Since he's sleeping I might as well get some light chores/puttering done.
I've made up some home made chicken soup which I don't always have time to make and the soup is good for what ever ails you.
