When I started as a catechist, in my pre-married, pre-motherhood days, I had no thoughts about sick days.

I stopped serving as a catechist not long after my first daughter was born, so I have found myself learning some new things this year, my first year back in the saddle in my new role as wife/mom/catechist.

One of the most important lessons I have learned this year is that sick days are part of the deal, especially if you’re a parent with young children. Just last week, I found myself so sick that I could barely leave my bed, much less make it to my class.

Here are my tips for staying ahead of the inevitable sick days:

Communicate. When you think you’ll be missing, be sure to let the person in charge know. In our parish, finding subs is always a special challenge: more time to find them is always better.

Have a team. I’m blessed to have a great pair of aides for my class: they have no fear with stepping in to teach and will fill me in with the details afterward. The students see familiar faces and the experience, all around, tends to be pretty good as a result.

Plan ahead. I’m trying to get better about this, but I keep reminding myself that the first year is the hardest (I don’t have a file of “tried and true” lessons behind me). I always try to have my lesson done at least a few days early, and I send it to our religious education director and my teaching team. That way, if and when I’m not there, they have what they need.

Smile. It’s not the end of the world. And when the kids hug you when you return, you’ll know how important you really are!

What tips do you have for calling in sick as a catechist?

image source: MorgueFile