Sick Day Policy For Motherhood
I don’t remember my mother EVER having a cold, although I’m sure she did. I have some friends who insist that their husband stay home from work until they are well and then I have others who plow through like they aren’t sick at all. I’ve never really been clear on this issue. Unlike other jobs there is no “sick-day policy” for motherhood. I’m going to propose one so as to clear this issue up for families every where.
article 1.0
A sick day is defined as a 24 hour period beginning when a mother designates that she is indeed sick.
article 1.1
If a fever or vomiting exists a husband is required to stay home from work without question or negotiation. However, if children are school-aged and the sick day falls on a school day then the husband is only required to be home after school hours.
aritcle 1.2
If a doctor visit is required (regardless of presence of either fever or vomiting) then husband is required to be at home for doctor’s visit allowing time for travel to and from doctor’s office within a reasonable speed. Again, if children are school-aged then mother should try to schedule doctor’s visit during school hours.
article 1.3
If medication is required that may cause sleepiness or lack of consciousness then husband is required to stay at home. (see article 1.0 regarding school-aged children)
article 1.4
If a hospital visit is required (either planned or unplanned) husband must stay home from work.
article 1.5
If for some reason a husband cannot fulfill his obligation of staying home he must be responsible for finding an acceptable replacement (this replacement must either be a relation or someone that sick mother approves).
article 1.6
Husband is not allowed to negotiate these rules or use guilt-induced pleas like; “Do you REALLY need me to stay home?” or “Oh man, I’ve got this REALLY important meeting today and can’t the kids just watch TV all day?” This also includes challenging how sick mother REALLY is and whether or not she is just being a “baby”.
article 1.6.1 children do NOT watch TV all day. There are diapers to change,
meals to make, bottoms to wipe, arguments to referee and games to be played.
article 1.7
Regardless of seriousness of illness a husband is not allowed, under any circumstances to do any of the following during the duration of the sick day: a.) work late b.) require meals to be made, c.) require laundry to be done, d.) decide to start large, messy project with children.
article 1.8
During the duration of the sick day husband is required to maintain basic household order. This includes cleaning dishes regularly, dressing children, and picking up toys and dirty clothes off of floor. Husband is not required to DO laundry, or CLEAN house (God forbid) but is only required to maintain basic maintenance so sick mother is not left with a pit of despair once health has returned.
article 1.9
During the sick day a mother is not responsible for any nighttime needs of the children. This may include middle of the night bathroom visits, nightmare disbursement, drinking water needs, or bottle feedings.
article 2.0
A mother is allowed 3 sick days for each year of service. Two additional days are granted for each child past one. For example, a mother of 2 who has children the ages of 4 and 2 will have earned 14 sick days. That would be 3 sick days for her 4 years of service and 2 extra days for her second child.
article 2.1
A husband is also required to run to the store to pick up anything required to aid in the healing process of sick mother. This may include everything from picking up prescriptions to purchasing ice cream for a sore throat.
I feel much better just knowing that this policy has been put in place. I recommend that we all print this off and get our husbands to sign it. This will prevent negotiations, martyrdom and general guilt on either side of this problem.
Who Is Your BBB?
Blogging is a very odd activity. To be truly successful you must think that what you are experiencing/thinking/liking many other people must also be experiencing/thinking/liking. As a dreaded “mommy-blogger” it is a way for you to connect to this wonderful and unique experience called motherhood. Regardless, it is a one-sided conversation that we all seem compelled to continue. The most magical thing about blogging is making new friends that you never meet and that is why I want to introduce you to Jane.
If you follow this blog with any regularity you will see her in the comment box. Jane (from What About Mom), is my BBB or Best Blogging Buddy. This is a unique place to hold in somebody’s life. This means that the only person’s blog I read more often than my own is Jane’s. This mean’s that I’ve shared so much of my life with Jane this year that I feel as if I should be sending her kids Christmas presents. I find myself quoting her or referring to things she said as if I had just seen her that morning at a PTA meeting (although there is no way Jane and I would ever go to a PTA meeting, because well, we wouldn’t). Jane is a BYU grad and fellow English major. She’s also a mother to three beautiful little girls. I love reading about her life and I no longer know if it is because I think she’s cool or if it’s because she writes so well.
This is why blogging is so odd. Do I REALLY know her? Isn’t this like saying I KNOW Julia Roberts because I’ve seen all of her films? Or does blogging really allow us to build a relationship with a person that we’ve never met? When you think about all the personal challenges and milestones that you share on a blog isn’t that building a relationship? Or am I creepy? (don’t answer that). Doesn’t everybody have a BBB?
Regardless, this Thanksgiving I’m thankful for Jane. I’m thankful for her blogging friendship. I’m thankful for all of the help and advice she has provided me regarding blogging. I’m thankful for the comments, the thoughts, and the good ideas she’s thrown my way. Mostly, I’m thankful that I’ve met her and I’m thankful that she has chosen to share her life in such a strange way.
A Thankful Teacher
It is the end of the school semester for me and usually this is the time of year when I’m aggravated and disappointed in my students. This is the time of year when I can’t wait for break. And that is why I wanted to take Thanksgiving day to express my gratitude for being a teacher.
I can’t begin to describe what a blessing this job has been to me. It has allowed me to fill my life with a passion. A passion for books, a passion for writing, and a passion for sharing this passion. I’m so grateful that it only requires me to be out of my home 15 hours a week. But mostly, I’m so thankful that the Lord has given me the opportunity to touch so many lives. My students are each blessings that come into my life and fill my heart. I love them all for their unique spirits and bottomless potential. They remind me everyday to live life to the fullest and to appreciate the things I have. They inspire me as much as I hope I inspire them.
I’m grateful that every day I have the opportunity to introduce somebody to Shakespeare, Dickinson, Plath, Homer, Dante, et al. I’m lucky to be able to see some face come in and with anger, love, passion in their eyes tell me that they are so upset that Aeneas left Dido without saying goodbye. To see the recognition wash over their faces as they realize that Shakespeare was not writing about some obscure guy in Othello, but he was writing about EVERYBODY’s need to be loved, and accepted. THAT is powerful!!
I’m blessed to know these students. To know about their dreams, their hopes, their plans for the future. I’m lucky that they share these aspirations with me and for a fleeting semester I get to ride along with them as they plan their life. They are each uniquely beautiful and like painted eggs their future is delicate and glorious. They stand on the precipice of their destiny. Some will grab hold with passion and desire and seek out success. Others will languish, and falter. As a teacher it is my responsibility to help those that languish. To hold out my hand and pull them close to my heart and tell them what lies ahead. Those that know their future don’t need my help. It is those that are lost that need me the most.
I am a teacher and I could not be more thankful.
