“Hey! Weren’t you here yesterday?” I heard this today from the front desk clerk while checking in at our pediatrician’s office.
Yes, yes, I was. With the other kid, but still. It feels like we live here. Thanks for asking.
My kids are four and two. It feels like they are sick ALL. THE. TIME. I’m aware that germs spread through daycare pretty quickly because kids are just kinda gross – hands in my mouth, now in your mouth! Yay!! But good grief.
The ten sick days that I was allotted at the beginning of the school year? Gone by Christmas break. God forbid that I get sick … because my sick butt will be dragging itself to work and trying not to breathe in anybody’s direction. It amazes me that my first year teaching, I took sick days towards to the end of the school year just as “mental health days” because I just had them to use. Since my daughter was born, I have gone over my days every single year.
What an asset I must be to the workplace! I honestly know now why it is illegal to ask interviewees if they have children because if I were interviewing a potential candidate, a woman with small children, I would reflect on my own experience and have a really hard time hiring her. Seriously. “Hmmm….small kids? They’re probably going to be sick all the time and she’s going to miss a lot of work. Better go with someone else.” 
Tomorrow is the third day this week that I am missing because my kids are sick. All three days are unpaid. (Also, husband has no sick days either. Just in case you’re wondering why he isn’t taking off).
I have no idea how single mothers do it. Mad props, y’all.
I try not to bring my kids in to the doctor for every little thing. Really. But when they’re little, they don’t exactly verbalize what is wrong . And I have no idea if they have an ear infection or what so off we go. And almost every time we go in, it’s a legitimate issue that requires antibiotics.
Maybe instead of “Weren’t you here yesterday?” the front desk clerk could’ve said…”Included with your copay is a tall coffee. Would you like to upgrade for $1 more?” Yes, yes I would. I’m sure all of the beleaguered moms in the waiting room would be on board with a coffee shop right there in the waiting room.
When Baby #3 gets here in August, I’m definitely going to need that coffee shop in the waiting room. And quite possibly our own permanent room at the office. Maybe I’ll just set up the crib there except that kinda feels like giving up.
So … if you feel like you are constantly at the doctor’s office with your kids, and that the doctor probably sighs when he sees your last name on the door … well, you’re not alone. I’m right here with you. I hear it gets better but have no guarantees. I’ll let you know in, oh, about five years.
And I’m off to Lysol the entire house. Again.
Thanks for your honesty…this post makes me feel so much more normal….I’ve totally gotten the “ya’ll are back again?” thing from the receptionist..they know us by name.