Protection in place
Published
Three quarters of working parents would be at financial risk if they had to take an extended amount of time off work if a child became sick, according to new research from MetLife UK.
Having experienced this first-hand when her daughter, Isla, faced a rare form of ovarian cancer at just 13 years old, British former long-distance champion and marathon world record holder, Paula Radcliffe MBE, shares advice for working parents who are supporting children facing illness or injury.
Get the right protection
While accidents are sometimes unavoidable, having the right protection in place can make all the difference. It not only gives peace of mind, allowing you to focus fully on being there for them, it also helps take away some of the financial pressure if you need extended leave from work.
Share the childcare load
Let’s face it - when kids are feeling unwell, they usually want mum. But it can put a lot of pressure on mums, especially when it comes to juggling work and home life. In, fact 34 per cent of mums worry about how their boss will react if they need to take time off to look after a poorly child, compared with just 25 per cent of dads. Sharing the load at home can really help ease that pressure all round.
Try to have a safety net
None of us like to think about our children facing a serious illness or injury but having a financial safety net in place can make a huge difference if the unexpected happens. Not everyone is lucky enough to get paid time off work, and for those who are self-employed, taking time out can hit particularly hard financially. That’s where savings or financial protection can really help.
When Isla was first diagnosed, it took a toll on my earnings and this is something that can impact lots of other parents too. MetLife’s research found as many as three in four working parents would be at financial risk due to not having an emergency fund in place.
Think about what support you can get
When Isla got sick, I gave up everything to focus solely on her and the treatment she needed. It meant stepping away from competing, and managing multiple hospital stays with Isla. This ultimately meant a drop in income which we had to navigate too. For those who may be self-employed, or single parents, the financial knock-on consequences could be even greater. While forms of support such as family and friends are important, having some form of protection or insurance can help lift some of that financial weight off your shoulders.
Consider 24-hour GP access
Doctors’ appointments aren’t always easy to get quickly and if illness strikes suddenly it’s the first point parents go to for medical advice and support. Being able to access a GP 24/7 definitely helps alleviate some of that stress. MetLife offers ChildShield, allowing access to GP24, a virtual GP service that offers fast, convenient connection to medical professionals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Visit www.metlife.co.uk
