Looking after grandchildren whilst sick

overthehill

Never looked after them sick. Mind you aren't employers more accommodating these days giving leave for childcare?

Chiming in as a current parent to a toddler. No, most employers aren’t more accommodating. In fact, I’d say they have become less accommodating post active pandemic. Yet schools/childcare centers remain strict about illnesses. In my childhood, our parents loaded us up on medicine and sent us in. Current parents can no longer get away with that. If children get the slightest hint of a cold, their temperatures are taken midday. If they have a fever, they can’t go back to school for at least 48 hours. If they have a very runny nose or cough, they are sent home.

In no way am I say this makes it the grandparents’ responsibility. I just wanted to give a resounding “no” in response to your comment/question.

Since moving to be closer to grandchildren and helping with childcare once a week to enable DIL to work, I’ve caught every cough and cold bug going from the youngest who’s in nursery. It’s been awful as I always get hit hard and end up with a prolonged chest infection which affects my quality of life. I don’t know what else to do as she needs my help but it makes me so miserable being unwell so frequently. Sometimes I regret moving closer, as awful as it sounds, but this constant ill health is so debilitating.

Difficult but you’re going to end up with them when they’re a bit poorly.

Just out of interest you say your daughter cannot afford childcare? Has she looked into govt funding?? Just a thought.