Anyone going to become an accidental SAHP because of corona?
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Anonymous
| DH teleworks full time from home even pre-Corona and earns a little under twice my salary. I work in hospital (clinical role, but not a doc/nurse) with zero telework possibility, nonflexible hours. We have a preschooler and an almost 1 y/o. Of course, as for everyone, school/daycare are now closed indefinitely. We have parents/in-laws who usually are willing/able to step in to babysit in emergencies, but that's certainly not ideal given their increased risk should they contract COVID. And with me going back and forth from the hospital, that increases risk of me bringing it to them inadvertently. I'm afraid I might have to quit once my leave/DH's leave runs out. Any chance this falls under FMLA? Not that mine's reset yet since having our youngest. Anyone else concerned they may have to quit to manage childcare? |
Anonymous
| Yes |
Anonymous
| Don’t quit. Just keep taking leave and wait for them to fire you. Most companies are extending leave policies and they won’t fire otherwise good workers who have been having childcare issues. |
Anonymous
| Can you find a neighborhood college student or other in home care giver that can come to your house? |
Anonymous
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Do you want to quit? If DH made twice what I do and I had inflexible hours, I would quit and find something flexible. But I can't tell what you want.
I agree with PP that for now you should wait and see if they'll extend your leave. |
Anonymous
|
OP here. I certainly would attempt to string things along as long as possible, maybe go until my husband exhausted his PTO, then exhaust my own... That'd buy about 3 weeks. I may feel out if LWOP is an option beyond that.
I have considered a sitter, but trying to figure out if we're still expected to be paying daycare... can't afford both. |
Anonymous
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There's major economic upheaval right now so we'll likely end up with unemployment that lasts years like happened in 2008. Even if you do want to make a change, make sure you're let go so you can take advantage of the social cushioning we'll have.
I was let go in the aftermath of the 2008 stock crisis (lost job in 2009) and received benefits until 2011. |
Anonymous
| F— no! My DH is a physician and yes, I do make less than him but I’m never going back to being a SAHM and the dependence and inferiority that comes with it. |
Anonymous
| Only if the business where I’m employed goes under. Which is a real possibility. |
Anonymous
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I would make your dh cut back his hours or start working after the kid goes to sleep. This can't all be on you.
Don't quit your job. You don't know what's coming economically. |
Anonymous
There's no inferiority in being a SAHM. |
Anonymous
| OP I think that workplaces are going to be much more flexible to account for childcare during telework, because they won't have any other option. Your DH will have to watch the kids and work, your kids will have to watch a lot of screens, and you will have to be solo parent when you get home so he can get his work done when you're on deck. |
Anonymous
| I think you should try to find a short-term childcare solution - maybe a daycare worker whose daycare is closed, or a college student home for the semester. I probably wouldn't quit my job if it pays well and i enjoyed it. |
Anonymous
If there is in PP's mind, then she's not mentally suited to the role. |
Anonymous
DP here. I would never be without my own income, but in OP's situation I would likely quit that job, ride out this current emergency (possibly with some from-home gigs) and then find a new job that's more flexible. Inflexible hours is tough with little kids. |