Both Working Parents - How do you deal with the challenges of being a parent and maintaining your jobs?

My wife and I both have jobs in corporate america. Our kids are in daycare right now. We have no family in the area. Could you please tell me about some specific strategies or ways that you juggle your jobs and the responsibilities of being a parent? We have very flexible work arrangements, but one of our kids has a stomach virus and has been out for 3 days..probably going to be at least 4. How do you handle extended sickness? When your kids are in elementary school, how do you handle days when the kids have off or summer vacation and you don't have off? You've gotta run out of vacation days. Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated. My wife and I love spending time with our kids and we're not trying to race to the top of the corporate ladder...just trying to get a good balance of work and home life. Thanks!Both Working Parents - How do you deal with the challenges of being a parent and maintaining your jobs?
when the kids are sick, my husband and I take turns...and if at all possible we try to make up our time at work after hours or on the weekends if using vacation or personal time is no longer available. As our kid grows up and he has days off from School we plan to continue using our sitter. If your children are all in day care I would start researching area sitters for times that your kids have off from school. Now that you have the time to do it since finding a good reliable sitter is very tough now and days. Being in the world where two incomes are needed it is so tough to keep up with the family so finding ways to adapt will continue to get easier as time goes by. Good Luck to you and your wife.Both Working Parents - How do you deal with the challenges of being a parent and maintaining your jobs?
As far as summer goes, most kids go to camp or some sort of summer program. As far as illness, if it's extended, I would suggest splitting the time between the 2 parents. There is also the option of hiring a babysitter.
You can never tell when your kids are going to get sick, but when they do there is nothing that you can do but stay home and take care of them if you do not have family or a regular babysitter available to take care of them for you. As for elementary school vacations, they usually have it scheduled at the beginning of the year so parents can make arrangements. Check at the beginning of the school year, and schedule vacation time accordingly.