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AIBU?

To ask how the hell you make a career/job work with summer holidays

60 replies

Givemecoffeeplease · 22/07/2015 20:44

I work in advertising in London but we plan to move to the Midlands in time for primary school. My media job won't really travel and I'm keen to do a job that allows me to be with the kids in the summer holidays, because we have no family to help and 6 weeks of summer camps seems too much and too expensive. I'm tempted by moving into teaching (primary or secondary) but suspect I'm naive about how hard it is. That said, it helps that I'll have the majority of holidays with my 2 DC. What do others do to allow them to make the most of work and family? Are there part time jobs /rewarding media sales jobs in more rural areas (Coventry, Warwick) that allow you to take the whole summer off?! Can't imagine it! So what do I do, and Aibu to ask how on earth you guys do it!???

OP posts:

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TiggieBoo · 22/07/2015 20:58

Holiday club for 4 weeks for the 2 DCs this summer, 2 weeks annual leave spent with the kids. It's not that difficult. Last year we did 3 weeks annual leave. I wouldn't be able to keep the children entertained for the whole 6 weeks anyway, they do way more activities at holiday club than we could provide.

SuffolkNWhat · 22/07/2015 21:02

I teach.

Barely see my DC during term time but the holidays are great, they enjoy having Mummy back even if I drag them into school to help set up my classroom etc!

firefly78 · 22/07/2015 21:02

i work part time and am using a combination of friends grandparents toil and leave.

pickingstrawberries · 22/07/2015 21:02

I think teaching isn't that bad, it's the stress if you're in an awful school ... But I think that's the same for all jobs really!

weebarra · 22/07/2015 21:06

We're in Scotland - 6 weeks holiday. Two weeks annual leave, two weeks holiday club and a week with each set of grandparents. I know we're lucky to have family to help, they're too far away to help during term time, but are happy to do so on holiday.

bigkidsdidit · 22/07/2015 21:07

Dh and I are taking two weeks off each, my mum is doing a week, and one weeks holiday club. We won't have a family holiday together though.

Writerwannabe83 · 22/07/2015 21:11

I married a teacher

I live near Coventry, actually
got married in Warwick and so I can give you the heads up on which schools not to work at, lol

SocksRock · 22/07/2015 21:12

We took two weeks off each, but only overlapped by a week which covered 3 weeks. Then childminder for another week and grandparents / friends. I had a spreadsheet last summer for which child was where on which day. I'm now SAHM...

Givemecoffeeplease · 22/07/2015 21:15

Ha yes SocksRock I can see how that would happen. Work life and the kids' timetable don't manage but I assume most people have the same issues. Am glum to hear that as A teacher you prob won't see much of your kids in term time.

OP posts:

parabelle · 22/07/2015 21:16

Summer camp and annual leave.

gutzgutz · 22/07/2015 21:20

You can request parental leave (unpaid). 15 weeks/ child until the age of 18, I think. 15 weeks total that is. I imagine companies can refuse the request though citing business need. Midlands based also, no idea about media jobs but lots of big companies who may have communications type roles. We do a/l, family and childminder. My eldest wouldn't enjoy holiday clubs yet but I imagine when he's a bit older we'll use them.

Busybuzzybumblebee · 22/07/2015 21:23

I've always wondered at what age children are to old to go to cms, my lo is only 1 but I wonder already about holidays etc. when older

TalkinPeace · 22/07/2015 21:23

I went self employed when I had kids.
I choose when I work

2tired2bewitty · 22/07/2015 21:25

DH is off to retrain as a vicar which will hopefully give him a bit more daytime flexibility (not the principal reason for the change in career, obviously )

Writerwannabe83 · 22/07/2015 21:26

busy - why are you worried about age and childminders? What do you mean about children being "too old"?

pickingstrawberries · 22/07/2015 21:27

That funny stage when they are too old for childminders but too young to be left. I'm going through similar with DC1 right now, and it is tricky.

2tired2bewitty · 22/07/2015 21:28

Busy both the cms I have used have provided wrap around and holiday care to children right through primary school. I think it's year 7 that can be a problem - too grown up for cm, not grown up enough to be home alone for long periods.

Lordofmyflies · 22/07/2015 21:28

I went self employed too when had DC. During term time I work 8-4 for 4 days but during school holidays, 8-8 for 2 days. My DH has one day off with the DC a week and grandparents do the other.

Busybuzzybumblebee · 22/07/2015 21:29

I mean at what age will cm not take children, they're unlikely to take an eleven year old and it wouldn't most likely be fun for 11 as cm tends to have little ones. I am a worrier and think about how we will cover all the holidays for school

Busybuzzybumblebee · 22/07/2015 21:29

Thanks 2tired, that's what I wanted to know

AChickenCalledKorma · 22/07/2015 21:30

I work 22 hours per week and have chosen to spread it over five days during term time, so we have no childcare costs during term. Then the cost of playschemes/holiday courses in the summer doesn't seem quite so painful.

I have a very complicated spreadsheet of all the different things the kids are doing to get us through the holidays. It's a combination of annual leave, a local childminder (who lets them veg out much like they would at home), some holiday courses (ponies for DD2 and watersports for DD1, so that they perceive that there is some benefit to mummy working!) I'm also able to work at home for some days.

DD1 has just turned 13 and is experimenting with organising herself to meet up with friends some days and staying at home alone some of the time. So I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, where in a couple of years I may be able to leave them to their own devices!

tigerdriverII · 22/07/2015 21:31

10 - 12 the worst. They're too old for childminders, too cool for clubs, too young to be left alone. Just take a lot of summer hols and mix and match granny visits.

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bobajob · 22/07/2015 21:33

I guess by the time they are secondary age many children would prefer to go to a play scheme or activity camp than a childminder.

YeOldeTrout · 22/07/2015 21:33

PT research scientist married to PT self-employed web app developer.
We don't pay for any childcare & no family help either.
Had CMs when they were little (different holiday & term time CMs).

Georgina1975 · 22/07/2015 21:33

Monday - DC (5 year-old) at home with me (6 days annual leave)
Tuesday - Thursday - Kids Club
Friday - DC at home with DP (6 days annual leave)

We have a 1 week holiday together too.

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