When it's a "SNOW DAY", what do you do?
As much as I love the sight of puffy white stuff coming from the sky, I dread how it can have an effect on our schedules. Today, a Saturday, is a great day for a snow day, a day to stay inside and watch the flakes come down. But, if the weather is like this on Monday, a school day, and if our school is closed (see HERE for the PPS inclement weather e-hotline), what are we to do, if it is supposed to be a work day for us? If you work outside the home and have a "snow day" school closure, what do you do?
I end up cobbling something together which never ends up being ideal for anyone. I cross my fingers that driving will be safe and daycare will be able to open, even tho' school is closed. I always try to keep an eye on the weather and lug my work laptop home with me if it looks like there is a chance of snow. I also try to make sure I have enough that I can do remotely. I've brought my 10 year old daughter to work with me, but that's not really ideal because she gets bored before my 8-9 hours is up. My boss is on the East Coast, so I sort of telecommute, but I do have to go to an office daily to do so. He's not such a fan of the work-from-home scene, so I try to use that option as sparingly as possible. Again, it's never, ever ideal. I never feel like I'm fair to my child or my employer. Everyone ends up losing.
Posted by: Sheryl | February 04, 2008 at 03:46 PM
I've got to add--I know I'm fortunate I can even do these things. I know a lot of employers won't take "but it's snowing and I've got no daycare and its really not safe to drive" as an excuse for missing work, or having to modify what the "normal" workday looks like.
Posted by: Sheryl | February 04, 2008 at 03:49 PM
I agree with you Sheryl, it is never ideal. I have brought my then-6-year old to my cubicle with me and she is bored within the hour. Only so much fun to be had with highlighters and bond paper. It feels really, really uncomfortable to do so because that workplace was not that kid-friendly, as much as they said they were. Plus, children's voices and footsteps in a hush-hush cubicle workplace are so much louder than any other office noises.
Other things I have tried - negotiate a half-day with my employer so I "work from home" for half the day and try to get my husband to do the same. Still, with the parental/employee guilt that comes along with this almost makes me want to lie and call in "sick" rather than say I have to stay home with my kid, it's a "snow day".
What else can you do?
Posted by: olivia | February 04, 2008 at 10:37 PM
I am 11 years old so when it snows here in Tennessee I go out and build snowmen and have snowball fights with my dad. I love when it snows because in Tennessee it hardly ever snows besides in the Smoky Mountains!!! I am so excited because today it is snowing!!!!!
Posted by: Chesney McBroom | January 20, 2009 at 09:17 AM
Have you ever considered getting an au pair? Au pairs live with you and provide 45hrs a week of childcare. This solves the sick days, snow days, teacher in service days, Summers off, etc. We had them for 13 years in our own home, it was a great form of childcare and lots of fun too hosting from Switzerland, Germany, and Sweden! I can give you more info if anyone is interested. Cost is $7.10 per hour, any number of children.
Posted by: mary | February 26, 2009 at 12:36 PM