How do you handle child care when your kids are sick and you need to work?

[Sunshyn74]

I only work 2 hours per day at their school, so I do get the same days off as they do. My kids are sick quite often. Youngest has chronic acid reflux and has missed a lot in the last two months.

My parents are usually happy to help, but my dad was just diagnosed with stage 4 prostrate cancer.

I am looking to need some time off. How do you handle child care for sick kids while you work?

[socalmum]

My local hospital has a Sick Child Care Program where parents who need to work and can't stay home with a sick child can drop off their children.  The program is supervised by the nursing staff and is really affordable.  I know I'm really fortunate that this available in my area, but, perhaps there is a program at a local hospital in your area.

[Sunshyn74]

That sounds like a great program. I will check here, but I am pretty sure we don't have anything like it. It sounds wonderful.

[Caesaria]

I provide sick childcare in my area. There are babysitter/nanny websites like care.com and sittercity.com were providers list their availability and indicate if they are willing to sit for sick children. This may be a resource for you since your hours aren't enough to look into daycare facilities that provide a separate room along with their regular daycare.

[Sunshyn74]

Thanks, I will look into that. I didn't realize sitters would take sick littles.

[Peony]

Not all sitters will but many will. It's one of the first questions I ask since my kids seem to be constantly ill!

[justmama]

I do before-school care for several children and I've been known to keep sick kids even though my own children are in school for the day.  Depends HOW sick they are of course.  I've kept kids with lice, kids with colds, kids with strep, etc.  I don't keep vomiting children and anything that could seriously make my own children ill like RSV(I have two asthmatics) or whooping cough.  But the more minor stuff I have no problem with.  I'm sure if you look around(try care.com) you can find sitters willing to take drop-ins for sick kids for only slightly more.  I charge extra of course but then again, I typically only do before and after school care and have no kids during the school day.