You talking to me??!

To whom it may concern,

I have for quite some time now smiled politely and played along with the silly jokes and snotty remarks of the phenomenon staying at home from work due to sick child. As if that in any way could resemble anything like a "day off". Let me set the record straight once and for all.

1) My child is sick. That's a negative in every way. Period.

2) I don't have to work that day. That c o u l d be a positive if it wasn't for the fact that I actually LIKE my job. (And also the possibility of a few toilet breaks each day without someone shouting constantly asking if you are coming soon, or maybe the company of another person in the actual bathroom. Overrated? I say no.)

3) I don't have to set an alarm in the morning. True! But then again there is no need since I'll be up after dusk and before dawn like a dozen times, wiping noses, fetching cough syrup, correcting pillows, getting a blanket/water/teddy/lipbalm and constantly reminding a panicing little 3yr-old that he has to breath through the mouth. And when he's actually asleep - yup, he stops talking - but the cough doesn't stop sounding.

4) I also need to try and maintain some sort of extra hygienic boundary between me and the little one in attempt not to catch the bug myself. Most of the time not going too well and you end up with the bonus with a few sick days yourself, or if your lucky - only a bad cold to drag along for a while.

5) And last but not least a TOTAL stress of everything needing to be done at work AND at home, classes to cover, meetings to postpone and favours to ask helping out with the things that just cannot wait..

So no. Next time you look at me with a stupid smirk on your face as you say: "So home with sick child last week huh? Sweet."
I won't ask if you have any children of your own. I know you don't. I'll just try and politely ignore your prejudice stupidity and walk right by. Chances are I fail though.

Chances are I punch you in the face passing.


Bite me. / Å