A cough and a sneeze can mean the start of something big - and not in a good way. It seems like your children come down with those icky ailments when you least expect them. Of course, there's never a good time for anybody in your family to get sick, but Murphy 's Law says that your offspring will likely fall ill at the worst possible time. That's why it's important to always have a plan in place for when your kids do get sick. This is where using some foresight comes in. Always keep a few personal days in your vacation arsenal. Chances are that if your child becomes ill, you'll need to stay home and care for him. Make sure you have the time set aside. One rule of thumb is to speak with your boss before your child becomes sick to avert a crisis. Get his or her feelings on how you will be expected to handle a family illness. Some employers are flexible enough to allow you to work from home, which is ideal.