John,

My Ashley is 9 years old and a salt waster too.  My husband and I would trade off as well, I would work 8am to 1pm and he would work from 1:30pm until they closed up shop which was sometimes as late as 8pm.  I was still in school when I had Ashley so I was not working.  But when she was 18months old I had graduated from college and was looking for a job.  Every interview I went on I informed the potential employer about her illness and that she comes first in my life.  I have been fortunate in that where we live the majority of businesses are family owned and operated and that the employers have been very understanding of this.

But, I also checked into the labor laws for my area to make sure that I could not be fired for taking a day off to go to the children’s hospital or for having to stay home with a sick child.  Ashley had croup two christmases in a row and could not go to day care for about 3 weeks.  Luckily my sister came to the house and stayed with her so that I could go to work. 

I would recommend that you check into the labor laws and the family and medical leave act in your area.  There are laws that protect you when you have a sick child.

Good luck and keep me posted.

Lisa V.

California