Honestly it's easier with infants. Put the infant in crib or outside of bathroom. Gets much harder with older kids. While you're chained to the toilet, they're tearing the house apart.

Are you the PP who said you go to work when you are this sick? I think I've been pretty clear that I am curious about the logistics of how to make it work...

Why are you so obsessed with this, OP? If you are truly that sick then you cannot work. And you did not work nor were your forced to work.

Some of us have simply never been that incapacitated by diarrhea before. Sorry?

What so you want me to say? I have never missed a day of work before as a nanny -- that is the simple truth. You have. So what?!

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I go to work. Did so at my previous, different job as well.

Ok. Great! I have some questions...

How did you get to work? I have a 40 min commute on the highway (no bathroom stops) and couldn't see how to do that. I can't even drive to the local pharmacy myself...

What did you do with children aged 1-4 while you were in the toilet? TV?

Were your employers not at all concerned you were contagious?

Did you not experience symptoms of dehydration (weakness, dizziness)? If yes, how did you safely carry small children up and down stairs when you couldn't trust your body?

Not trying to trick you or anything, legitimately wondering how one would do this!

Yes, I go to work. Did so at my previous, different job as well.

Anonymous wrote:If you've been sick with food poisoning for 4 days, I'd get to a doctor ASAP. Food poisoning doesn't typically (ever?) last four days. If you can't keep liquids down/in, you run the risk of getting dehydrated.

Thanks, and you're right, food poisoning that lasts more than a couple days means it's likely to be one of the more serious contaminants (salmonella maybe? I'm just speculating). I did call my Dr. this morning and will get an IV tomorrow if it's necessary. Hopefully this will be over very soon.

If you've been sick with food poisoning for 4 days, I'd get to a doctor ASAP. Food poisoning doesn't typically (ever?) last four days. If you can't keep liquids down/in, you run the risk of getting dehydrated.

I'm not worried so much as...bemused. It's nice to hear that at this point parents would expect you to stay home. I was on another nanny forum earlier and there was post after post about how they'd never had a sick day in 9 years etc. and I just couldn't believe they'd go to work like this? I guess it is the only time I've had food poisoning as an adult, but nevertheless, I'd expect everyone to have at least one serious gastrointestinal illness in a decade!

Anonymous wrote:For your TMI of the day, this is way more than just vomiting. I feel like there's so much judgment about nannies taking sick days and I'm really curious on the logistics of how one would handle this situation. I can't go more than 10 minutes without the bathroom...

Of course no one begrudges a nanny for not working at that level of illness. Shit (sorry) happens.

The issue here is that some people stay home for just a sniffle which is annoying. Alternatively, some nannies might be really sick very often, and while people might be sympathetic, if the Parents can't rely on the nanny, then it's a problem.

Not all nannies get what you got. I never have.

What are you worried about, OP? If you are incapable of caring for children right now then you are incapable of caring for children right now.

For your TMI of the day, this is way more than just vomiting. I feel like there's so much judgment about nannies taking sick days and I'm really curious on the logistics of how one would handle this situation. I can't go more than 10 minutes without the bathroom...

Honestly, if I was a SAHM with a 3.5 and 1.5 year old sons, and I got this sick...I'd call someone to help me. I just can't imagine where I could put them while I spend 20-40 minutes in the bathroom? They're energetic and into everything and decidedly not infants.

I'm not a nanny but haven't taken a sick day in years because I just don't get sick very much. I usually get one cold per year but not the stomach flu. Just lucky.

I had either a stomach bug that had me vomiting frequently - and I had to go to work. I took care of my then infant charge as best I could with frequent trips to the bathroom. I just did what a SAHM would do and worked it out.

It was the only time I have ever been sick with anything but the colds/flu I caught from my charge and I have never missed a day of work.

...when sick with food poisoning (or anything else that chains you to a bathroom)? I can't figure out how people say they've never had a sick day in however many years; I am exploding just drinking water, there is no way I could adequately supervise two small boys from the toilet. Right? Was I wrong to stay home?? For the record I've been sick for four days (they were out of town all except today) and haven't been able to keep even clear liquids in yet. Sigh.