It’s Monday the day of the week we all dread! When that alarms goes off, I expect most of us shudder thinking about the week ahead and wish we could press snooze for that extra 10 minutes. Today I’ve had a really bad Monday as my child is sick. When my alarm went off this morning I knew I had to get up early to make a head start on the day, as I had a feeling our little girl was ill after showing some signs yesterday. I expect it is teething, but she’s running a slight temperature, not really eating, and also being sick. She’s also managed to soak about 10 bibs so far today, and is enjoying chewing her Gertie the Goose……loads. I’m being selfish and starting to think that it is actually worse for me. I work from home on a Monday. 7 out of 8 Monday’s so far have been absolutely fine with her happily playing and sleeping. Today is a different story altogether! Screaming, far too much screaming. I’ve tried everything I can think off to try to take the pain away: Calpol Dentinox Yoghurt Weetabix CBeebies Toy train A package that arrived Breadsticks Books All of my attempts have lasted a few minutes, until the screaming starts again and the hands are back in the mouth. This afternoon I’ve had a balancing act of juggling emails, calls, and documents with said screaming child. Some tasks are easier than others to do with an ill baby. The feeling of not being able to do something properly or devote enough time to it is terrible. However I am in no way a bad Mummy for choosing to go back to work. It came to a point this afternoon where she needed me to pick her up and give her a cuddle, and make the teething pain go away. That’s when I feel guilty about working at home, but this is the first time since going back to work that I’ve felt that way. Had she been well today the day would be going smoothly. Having said all this she is now fast asleep cuddling her bunny. I hope it lasts. It’s tricky being a working Mum, trying to find the right balance between parenting and working. Whatever you prioritise you always feel that you’re neglecting the other. But when your child really needs you, you know what needs to be prioritised. Once she goes to bed tonight, I’ll be back at the laptop catching up. I hope that she is ok to go to nursery tomorrow, but if she’s not we live in a world with Internet and smartphones and I don’t need to be in the office to get work done. Thank god, there is gin and chocolate at the end of the day. Have you ever been in this situation, what have have you done when your child is sick. I would love to hear from you. Claire x