What to do with a sick child?
November 14, 2011
Similar to receiving a college scholarship or grant to pay for your higher education, arranging child care for the time you'll be in class or studying can feel like a major accomplishment. However, a sick child can turn your best laid plans upside down in a minute.
"The days my kids are healthy - that may sound like just another day, but that's a good day," Western Kentucky University student and mother Suzanne Hughes told the WKU student newspaper, The Herald. "Nobody's got allergies, nobody's sick, nobody's got ear infections - that really affects if I can go to work. If they're sick, they come first."
While most moms agree that a sick child is the priority, there will be times when it seems impossible to drop everything to be home with your son or daughter without sacrificing your education. For instance, an ear infection that pops up the morning of a final exam may mean you'll lose a semester's worth of work.
The best way to prepare for these inevitable illnesses is to have a few options. While married parents have the benefit of trading taking care of a sick child with their spouse, single parents are not as lucky. Instead, single student parents must create a support network of friends and family members who can help in a pinch. A trustworthy babysitter who isn't afraid of a few sniffles or a stomach bug can also be invaluable.
When no other options are available, it's important to let your professor know what's going on. You might find that he or she will be sympathetic to your situation.
