What If Your Child Was In The Hospital?

[Country Kids]

In Chatterbox's thread alot of providers were shocked the mom was at work while her child was in the hospital.

We as providers have very little time off, never call in for sickness, etc. So what happens if this were our own child. What would you do if your own child was in the hospital? Would you close or try and find a sub? Would you close for the entire time if your child had to be in for longer then a couple days?

I guess for myself I would close, explain to my families what was going on and pray for the best. I would possible also try and close for a few days upon coming home because that is sometimes the hardest-having a child home sick and trying to take care of children.

[bunnyslippers]

I have had this happen, once, when my son was 8 months old. I was also hospitalized for almost a week last year.

When my son was in the hospital, I had an assistant. She took over the child care the whole time, and my mother assisted her.

When I was in the hospital - same thing. I closed for one day, then my assistant and various subs helped out until I was able to get home and back on track.

In both situation, I was not following licensing regulation. I contacted my licensor, and told her of my emergency plans until things were back to normal. In both instances, my emergency plan was approved.

Both times, it was absolutely terrible, stressful, and awful. I was left with so much resentment for many of my dcfs, because of some of the behaviors they exhibited during my family's crisis. I also learned which familys were worth my time and effort. It changed the way I run my business.

[daycarediva]

In Chatterbox's thread alot of providers were shocked the mom was at work while her child was in the hospital.

We as providers have very little time off, never call in for sickness, etc. So what happens if this were our own child. What would you do if your own child was in the hospital? Would you close or try and find a sub? Would you close for the entire time if your child had to be in for longer then a couple days?

I guess for myself I would close, explain to my families what was going on and pray for the best. I would possible also try and close for a few days upon coming home because that is sometimes the hardest-having a child home sick and trying to take care of children.

This. I closed when DS's had surgery (hernia, foot, hip and tubes) and never lost a single client. All of my parents have been VERY understanding of me putting my family first.

When my oldest son was a preemie, I took FMLA, for 6 MONTHS, and never left the hospital, stayed at Ronald McDonald house (in the hospital) with my then 2 yo dd.

Jobs, clients, money is all replaceable. My children are NOT.

[NeedaVaca]

I would try to find a sub but if it came down to it and I couldn't find one I would close. Family comes 1st. I would hope my families would be understanding and if not I don't think I would miss working with them...

[Willow]

My daughter ended up in a Children's Hospital due to a shunt malfunction a year ago. We opted to remove it as oppose to replace it and had to stick around to make sure there weren't going to be issues with fluid levels. Went in on a Saturday, home on Wednesday or so? But I closed for the full week to give her time to recover. Would do it again in a heartbeat and all my parents were very understanding. Dealt with finding alternate care just fine and didn't bother me once about it.

The only time I would contemplate finding a sub would be if the illness was chronic and would warrant an extended closing. If I couldn't find one and it came down to me being there for daycare or being with my child I'd simply stop doing daycare.

[Patches]

My ds was hospitalized for about a week when he was 8 weeks old. I didn't hesitate to call in to work. Now that I have my home daycare, I think I would try to find a sub but, if not, I would close.

[mama0609]

My kids went to a home daycare when I worked outside the home. If one of her kids ended up in the hospital I would expect her to close and go to the hospital with the child. I would also close my daycare if one of my kids was in the hospital. It's a big deal to be in the hospital and if someone doesn't understand that or gives you a hard time then they obviously wouldn't be people I'd want to work with.

[Blackcat31]

My DS had two hospital stays since I've been open. Both were short stays but both times either my DH or myself were with him. NEVER once was he alone without a parent.

Both times he had surgery and both during surgery and the immediate recovery from the anesthesia my DH AND myself were there with him.

During the subsequent time he was there, my DH was with him. I had a substitute provider at the time and would go stay with DS when my sub could work.

If my child were in ICU or something similar, I'd be there the WHOLE time.

My DD also had a day surgery planned and I was there with her during surgery and recovery and then went to work once I knew she was doing ok. DH was there for the remainder of her stay.

I am fortunate because my DH is self-employed too so ANY TIME either of our kids needed something, one of us could ALWAYS be there.

[wahmof3]

My family first. I would close.

If they didn't understand or made a big deal about it.... I wouldn't want them here anyways.

[hope]

Two years ago my husband was diagnosed with Leukemia. Completely out of the blue we had to rush him to the emergency room and discovered the horrible news. I was in such shock I could barely talk. I had a good friend call my day care families to tell them I would be closing indefinitely. They received the news from a complete stranger! They were all so understanding. Each actuall sent additional checks through the mail. They had to immediately find other care. I was so thankful for my friend breaking the news to them and for them being so caring. My family really needed that at the time. We lost my income when we probably needed it the most but I needed to be there to care for my husband day in and day out. Money comes and goes. I am always thankful for the opportunities I have to make money, but ever since I realize that making money is no longer such a priority.

[snbauser]

I think it depends on the situation. If it was a short stay then I would close. If it were for an extended time I don't know. I think it would depend on what it was for. I know that where we are right now my family would not survive without my income. If I were to close for an extended period of time, we would need to find another place to live and sell most of our possessions to get by. I hate that we are in this situation financially, but we are working on digging out and it takes time. My family comes first...period. But part of that includes providing a home and food on the table for them. But in reality I think that unless it is something you actually face it is easier to say what you would do until you are faced with the reality.

[MyAngels]

My DS had four surgeries and a myriad of doctor appointments in less than 2 years. I closed for every single one of them, sometimes with less than one days notice. None of my families even batted an eye. As PPs said, if they give you grief over something like that, they're not people you want to work with anyway.

[Blackcat31]

Two years ago my husband was diagnosed with Leukemia. Completely out of the blue we had to rush him to the emergency room and discovered the horrible news. I was in such shock I could barely talk. I had a good friend call my day care families to tell them I would be closing indefinitely. They received the news from a complete stranger! They were all so understanding. Each actuall sent additional checks through the mail. They had to immediately find other care. I was so thankful for my friend breaking the news to them and for them being so caring. My family really needed that at the time. We lost my income when we probably needed it the most but I needed to be there to care for my husband day in and day out. Money comes and goes. I am always thankful for the opportunities I have to make money, but ever since I realize that making money is no longer such a priority.

How is your DH doing now?

I had a friend from college who's DD was diagnosed with leukemia at 3 yrs old. It was hard to watch her go through what she did. Later in her teens she was diagnosed with some sort of liver disease.

She is now 24 yrs old and has been cancer free for 11 yrs now and doing really well.

Sometimes it takes something like that to happen to make you realize it isn't about the money.

Hope your family is coping well.

[youretooloud]

I've had this happen a few times too. (same kid each time) I was a single mom at the time. I'd call in sick early the next morning, but the rest of the days, i'd make her dad call in sick, and he'd stay there during the day and I'd be there at night. We never left her alone...not even once. But, I had to work.

[crazydaycarelady]

If my child went into the hospital I would close immediately and then try and arrange for a sub. If the sub did not work out then I'd just close.

I do have to say it would be A LOT less stressful to just close. I myself had surgery and had my assistant here while I was recovering in bed. I could hear everyone coming and going and sometimes I could here a baby crying and knew exactly what they needed but I was stuck in bed.