Feeling so upset...what do you do when your kids are sick and you have to work???

My DS has been sick so much over the last 2 months. As soon as he gets fever or he is too unwell for daycare I have no idea what to do. My mum is unreliable as she has medical issues. My in-laws lead a very busy lifestyle without much time for dropping things of he is sick. My husband is going to start a new job and that means he can't take a sick day for a long time. I'm a casual teacher, once I say I can do it, I can't really pull out unless it is an emergency.

Maybe I should look into a babysitter, but I'm uncomfortable with him being with a stranger in my house :( I was thinking of getting them to come to my mum's place to lend a hand and at least then there will be other people around. Would they agree to that? It is also expensive, $20-25 per hour and do they come on a casual basis? I guess if I had a list of a few that might help. Once I got to know them then I might feel better about him being alone with them, but right now I can't fathom that! I'm feeling so down about it as my DH was recently retrenched so I took on all this extra work and now he is sick. DH is spending his time going to interviews, meeting with contacts so he can't really stay home either. My mum suggested I work less but that doesn't really solve my problem! My SIL reminded me that this is a problem I wouldn't have if I wasn't working, i.e. i'm not putting my son first... DS is with my mum now but I hate asking when I know she doesn't really want to do it :( Please give me some tips!

I have no advice because I haven't been in that situation, but please don't feel bad, you SIL shouldn't say something like that to you...you ARE putting your son first, by working to make money to keep a roof over his head and food on the table. :hug: I hope you can find a solution...do you have any friends that could take care of him?

:hug: hun... i know how difficult these situations can be. We have no family around so have no help and I have to take a day off work.
There are some agencies around that offer babysitting sor these type of situations, otherwise do you have any close and reliable friends??

I dont know if this will help (or if it's appropriate) but I thought I'd offer just in case...
Where do you live? (I'm in Brisbane.)
I do babysitting occasionally, I have 4 years experience in childcare and until recently had a blue card (it expired and I didn't renew it because of the cost and I didn't think I'd need it.) I charge $15 per hour plus $5 per extra child but I am negotiable.
Please PM me if your interested or have any questions :)

ETA: I wouldn't have a problem with your mum being there, in fact if someone did have a problem with it I'd be wondering what they have to hide.

Thanks ladies. I'm in Sydney Heva5 but thanks so much for your offer. I don't have any friends who aren't working themselves or have kids that they don't want to mix with a sick child. Most people are busy with their own life and don't need my complications. I don't know why I let these conversations go on, I should just change the subject. I don't need to hear how she is going to be at home every day for their kids when they come home from school or how they can recover perfectly at home...it makes me question myself. I think working is important, I help financially and I think it makes me a happier person.

Where abouts in Sydney are you? Maybe I can help you out.
I work in the welfare industry :) have had all the child protection checks etc done.

Well, as a casual teacher you'll be there in the school holidays and when he gets home from school, so what's the issue with that particular one?

If you child is properly sickly and screams for Mama all day, I'll be honest and say you're probably better off not working atm. But if it's just normal kiddie colds that make him snotty but otherwise there's not a problem, then I'd not have a problem working. As you say, you can feed a child if you work. That's my sole reason for going out to work: while I don't mind an empty belly the boys do!

But as for who to care for your child... can't help there, sorry. I'd love to say I'd do it for £7 an hour (about $14-15) as that's more than I'm on working in an office, and I could enjoy 2 children then, not pay childcare fees - so I could do it for $10 an hour... but I live in England so that isn't going to happen.

If you get a babysitter or casual nanny from an agency, you're more likely to get someone you can trust. They rely ont he agency for all their work, so if someone gives them a bad report, they won't get any more work, and therefore no money. So it's not worth it for them.
I used to work for a great agency in Sydney that do occasional placements, and this was exactly the kind of thing I used to do. Sometimes it was even when the mumma was sick, so she'd be home, and I'd just cook and hang out with the kids and do the washing etc. I'll give you the details via PM if you like. Maybe you could get a half day - get someone to help out in the morning, so then your mum just has him for his sleep and when he wakes up? Might be easier on her, and cheaper for you.