Probably sounds trivial at the moment but ...

[Lisado]

I am having a mild panic over what happens if your child is sick and can't go to school in Oz. My wee one is off school today and I am lucky she is at my parents but if they couldnt I would be able to stay off and take unpaid leave. However, we wont have that luxury in Oz. What does everyone there do?

I am waiviering over money / jobs etc and whether we should come and now today, Amelia being poorly has made me wobble all the more :(

Lisa

[ReadyPenny]

Hi Lisa

To be honest, this is a worry for me too. At the end of the day family comes first and I would ring in sick and explain the situation. May not go down too well if it is a regular occurance but heck, what else can you do? You cant send them to a child minder poorly so there is no option. SA Government is actively recruiting skilled migrants, particularly Brits, and therefore surely, some allowance must be made for the fact that we will face difficult situations like this one. Other alternative is to make good friends with someone, like me, straightaway and we can help each other out!! Dont let this put you off though, money and jobs fair enough, but not this. It is a hurdle that can be jumped. Dont worry.

Mandy

[Lisado]

Hi Mandy

Thats a great idea

I have felt sick with nerves all day thinking about this. I think I am getting into a tizz as the end of the process is coming and now with Amelia being off ill - I just though what will I do - cancel whole process cos of this?

At least I am not the only one who has thought about it :D

Lisa

[Denise]

Hi Lisa

I think its only natural to worry about things like this, I had to drop my kids off Sunday night at my folks so they could get them to nursery for me whilst I went to a meeting down South. My husband drives a van so only has one seat! This got me thinking about the times I will need help in Australia but lots of people don't have the support of others , like Mandy said, you will always have friends int the same situation as you and I'm sure these things are just being highlighted now as the visa looms. There must be loads of families who have left very helpful grandparents behind and deal with it no problem.
Don't let this put you off, you have gone so far.

[Rachiegarlo]

most jobs will allow you to access your sick leave to care for a sick child.

[Lulujim]

Hi Lisa

I think its only natural to worry about things like this, I had to drop my kids off Sunday night at my folks so they could get them to nursery for me whilst I went to a meeting down South.

You didn't stop by and visit me!!

We'll have to sort out some sort of childcare/babysitting support system for all of us ex-pats without family out there!

[ozzieclare2be]

with my job i get 12 days a year sick leave which you can use for carers leave otherwise once that is gone its unpaid leave .

[Lisado]

I really do think its a good idea. I did do childminding here before I went back to work and couldn't take children who were ill only because guidelines prevented this. However, I would have happily taken in poorly children as I reckon kids get ill wherever they are or whoever they meet.

Defos something to think about.

[Denise]

You didn't stop by and visit me!!

We'll have to sort out some sort of childcare/babysitting support system for all of us ex-pats without family out there!

Hee Hee, when I say down south I mean Nottingham!!! Its still a 2 hour drive for me and Grimsby was more! See I do go out of my way now and then. Dont worry, when I have to go to head office on 7th May (if you are still here) Ill be popping in or even staying on your sofa for the night - Will you still have a sofa??

[mayjess]

Your new friends in OZ will become your family, if you pick the right ones, I unfortunately didnt, with one particular person, I used to drop her kids off at school every day, until one day mine were off sick and she got a cob on with me as hers didnt go into school either!!! amazing, surfice to say I stopped associating with her!

Mayjess