It's not looking good

I am currently at home with Big M. because he was too sick for school today. He woke up this morning with a nasty barking cough and a very sore throat. His throat looks ok, not strep-like, and he's still not running a fever. Those are good things. Mucinex, the wonder drug, has really tempered that cough. That is also a good thing. He is sitting on the couch in his comfy sweats playing a video game and being a little silly. That's a good thing too. Little M. seemed absolutely fine this morning and that's a great thing.

However, at the moment, I'm not comfortable subjecting Super Sitter and her family to him for an overnight visit. That is definitely not a good thing. The tickets are at the venue's Will Call in Mr. EM's name, which means he has to be present in order to get the tickets. That is also not a good thing. Even if I were the one who got to go, instead of him, the Mom Guilt over leaving my sick child to go out of state for a concert would destroy me. That is not a good thing either.

This sucks. I'm only slightly kidding when I say, "Why couldn't this have happened next week when we're supposed to go to MIL's house for Thanksgiving?"

Funny how the Mom Guilt didn't kick in over my uttering of that phrase. Hmmm.

And talk about Mom Guilt...I'm wallowing in it today. This morning when Big M. got up, I knew he wasn't well enough for school, but my hands were tied. Mr. EM was already at work and it was well past the time that I could call and request a sub. I had to put him on his bus and head in to work and do what I could to get out of there as fast as I could. I was unnecessarily short-tempered with him as he struggled into his coat because I couldn't be late to work today. As I passed him waiting at his bus stop, he gave me the most pathetic look and limp wave he could have managed. I cried as I drove. I no more than walked into the building and his school was calling my cell phone saying that he needed to come home. The nurse was a little snippy with me when I told her that I was aware of his condition and I just needed to square a few things away at work before I came to pick him up. As I went racing out to my car, Mr. EM called and said, "Big M.'s school nurse just called for me to come pick him up. I'm on my way there." So, I guess she didn't trust me to be there in a decent amount of time and called for reinforcement, which I don't really mind, but she could have told me she was going to do it. Anyway, it really wasn't a good day for him to be off so he ended up just being a taxi for Big M. while I got home and got the couch all set up for him. I've posted on here before about her, she irks me and I'm starting to get the vibe that I irk her as well.

I'm finding myself very frustrated today with this situation, and I'm not talking about missing the concert. I mean the situation of pretty much having no other choice than to send my kid to school sick, if only for an hour, because my job dictates that I prioritize work over my family. The reason I couldn't be late today is that even though I've arranged a slightly different work schedule with my immediate boss in order to get the M.'s safely to school and daycare each day, the superintendent in my district was questioning her as to why I'm "late" to work every day. When she told him about my flex time, he wasn't fully satisfied with her answer. She's been really generous with me over this matter and I don't feel right putting her on the line because of my needs so, again, my family suffers because of my job. I can't just leave my job because then my family would suffer more. Looking for a new job is a possibility, but that would mean a loss of tenure, seniority and a probable cut in pay...which would, again, make my family suffer.

Don't we work in order to provide for our families? To make their lives better? Why am I sitting at home right now wondering what the superintendent is thinking about the fact that I came to work today (on time, mind you, NOT 5 minutes late) and then walked out an hour later? Why should I care about that matter when I have a sick 8 year old on my couch?

I've gotten way off topic here. I'm feeling upset that I'm going to miss my concert, worried that my son is sick and angry that my job makes it hard for my to take care of my family in the best way possible.

Mr. EM just came home for lunch, bringing with him some more ibuprofin and throat drops for Big M. I made him a cup of tea that he downed quickly and right now he's eating some mashed potatoes and turnips. He says he feels better...but I'm taking that with a grain of salt for now. Mr. EM called the venue to get the tickets switched over to my name because he says I should still go to the show even if he doesn't, what a guy! Stay tuned to see if Earth Muffin gets her Mofro on tomorrow night or stays home and wallows in self-pity with her sick kid.