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Parents lose an average £843 because of children’s sick days, new research finds

Parents lose an average £843 because of children’s sick days, new research finds

Children’s sick days are leaving parents hundreds of pounds out of pocket, with work and attendance pressures adding to the strain.

Ruairidh Pritchard

Published: August 27, 2026 at 10:23 AM

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Children getting ill is an unavoidable part of family life, but new research suggests those sick days could be having a much bigger impact on parents’ finances than many realise.

Almost two thirds (63%) of parents have had to take time off work because their child was ill, costing them an average of £843 in lost earnings over an academic year, according to research commissioned by vitamin brand Tonic Health.

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And with the new school year approaching, the findings reveal another difficult reality for working parents: almost a third say they've sent their child back to school before they were completely better because of pressures around work, time off or attendance.

Children’s sick days are affecting parents’ jobs

The survey of 1,000 UK parents with children aged five to 12, conducted by OnePoll, found that the impact goes beyond lost earnings.

Almost half (46%) of parents have attempted to work from home while simultaneously looking after a sick child, while 20% have used annual leave to cover their child's illness.

For some, the consequences have extended into their careers. Nearly a third (32%) said their child's illness had affected a work opportunity, whether that meant missing a deadline, turning down a project or worrying that they would be perceived as less reliable.

Nearly a third have sent children back before they were fully better

Perhaps the most striking finding is how those pressures can influence decisions about when children return to the classroom.

Almost a third of parents (31%) admitted they had sent their child back to school before they were completely better.

Reasons included being unable to take any more time off, having important work commitments or feeling under pressure over their child's attendance.

For parents trying to balance their child's recovery with work and household finances, it's an uncomfortable dilemma, and one that's likely to feel familiar to plenty of families.

Why September could bring another squeeze for families

The start of the school year appears to be a particularly tricky period for illness.

Among parents whose children became ill after returning to school, 57% said it happened within the first month of term. Some 13% said their child became ill within the very first week.

Coughs, colds, fevers and stomach bugs were among the illnesses parents said were most likely to result in time away from the classroom.

It's perhaps unsurprising, then, that 47% of parents surveyed said they were already dreading the return to school because of the bugs and viruses their children could bring home.

Can parents do anything before school starts?

There's no way to guarantee children won't pick up an illness once they're back among their classmates. However, Natalie Louise Burrows, Head of Nutrition at Tonic Health, says getting everyday routines established before term starts can help support children's overall wellbeing.

“Many parents spend weeks preparing uniforms, shoes and school supplies, but supporting a child's health deserves just as much attention before term starts.

Simple habits such as consistent bedtimes, daily activities and balanced meals containing key nutrients can all help support normal immune function and overall wellbeing.

Building these routines before children return to the classroom helps them feel settled and ready to make the most of the term ahead, while giving you quiet confidence that you’re supporting them, and their immune system, as they head into a new school year.”

Her suggestions include:

Bring bedtimes forward gradually: If they've become later over the summer holidays, start adjusting them before the night before school.
Get children outside: Walking, cycling and playing outdoors are simple ways to build daily activity into the holidays.
Return to regular, balanced meals: Include a mix of fruit and vegetables, protein and wholegrains.
Check vitamin D guidance: NHS guidance recommends children aged one to four take a daily vitamin D supplement throughout the year, while everyone aged four and over should consider taking one during autumn and winter.

Simple habits such as consistent bedtimes, daily activities and balanced meals containing key nutrients can all help support normal immune function and overall wellbeing.

Natalie Louise Burrows, Head of Nutrition at Tonic Health

Of course, healthy routines can't eliminate school bugs. If your child does become unwell, NHS guidance can help you decide whether they should stay away from school and when it's appropriate for them to return.

Research of 1,000 UK parents of children aged five to 12 was commissioned by Tonic Health and conducted by OnePoll.

Authors

Ruairidh PritchardDigital Growth Lead

Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.