Summer holidays should be longer

But I didn't say that the solution to this is shorter Holidays and more work and responsibility for teachers. That's an assumption that YOU made.
I would rather a complete overhaul of our entire societal structure actually.

None of the things you mention being harder are really for schools to make easier for YOU at all, never mind all year round.

Your kids going to school does mean that the playdough is mashed into the classroom carpet and the teacher is the one exhausted getting it out on top of educating the whole class to the required standard, but I suppose you think that's just a job - contrary to your knowing the pressure and commitment individual children take on top of everything else that just needs doing.

Nobody thinks you have to love every minute of working and having a family, but since holidays are already the much smaller percentage of time and school the massive majority, these few weeks are only time they really can focus on family.

We are three weeks in. I am exhausted, I am running put of money and things to do. There is play dough mashed into my carpet.
I actually can't bleeive there is still 4 weeks to go. We're not even half way through. And I really don't know how I am going to fill these whole four weeks with fun and engaging things to do. The pressure on my wallet and my mental and physical energy is immense as is the guilt that we're not doing enough, they summer wasn't magical or memorable enough. All this and I am still trying to earn a living, work doesn't stop, and my wages don't go up just because the kids are off and therefore cost more. It's just a huge amount of pressure, and as soon as they go back, I get a 5 minutes breather and then I have to start thinking about Christmas.
Basically the whole second half of the year is nothing but pressure for me and I breathe a huge sigh of relief in January when I have a whole 7 months or so before I start to feel the pressure and financial strain once more.

Those who want to be sanctimonious and bleat about how we should all be loving every moment with our kids can frankly piss off. I adore my kids, I love being with them. But I wish we could have spontaneous fun and special moments instead of it all being crammed into specific times when you are expected to make things happen because it's the summer, or it's Christmas.
Sadly that's how society is set up so that's what we do.

There’s a report just published on the impact of summer in improving mood. For women there is an inverse relationship with the length of school summer holidays (but not for men).

It’s five weeks where I am

Exactly! Lots of kids like school. And it’s not that hard - they’re not worked like dogs.

In some of those countries it would be unbearably hot to send children to school over the summer so longer holidays make sense. In the UK, in particular Scotland, it might benefit children to have an extra week in autumn and winter so they can get some daylight and have a break from winter illnesses.

Same. I enjoyed school too as do my children.

Some forget that many children actually like going to school.

I saw my friends way more often than I did in the summer. It was easier to meet up during the school year. Since few of my friends had sahp, they spent their summers away somewhere else either at a holiday camp or another relatives home. I hated summer camp and wanted summer school instead.

In your opinion

I really enjoyed school.

My kids do too.

Yeah but at least let the children figure that out for themselves first if they feel that way about school.

Selfish? There is nothing more boring than school.

So you home educated for your selfish reasons rather than seeing if school was good for them? Some children struggle with holidays as they thrive with the routine.

“Necessary work commitments”. You mean like having to work?

I agree op,the school system is draconian,the autumn term is nearly 8 weeks long!

Everything costs though. We didn’t have much money while I was growing up so after our UK holiday that was pretty much it. No money for cinema/theme parks - there weren’t holiday clubs and such back then and again, they cost. DF back at work so no car (only had 1).

Today has just opened up with a massive downpour (not unusual in this area) so no parks/playing in garden.

So many parents stating that they can't wait for their kids to be out of their hair, and back at school again. The thought of longer holidays appals so many of you. I always wonder why so many people have kids they so obviously don't want to be around. I can understand the problem when it's work related, but not otherwise. "But they get bored!". So entertain them! Do things with them! I'm old and my children are now adults with children of their own, but when they were small I would stand at the school gates listening to the other mothers exclaiming how terrible it was that they were about to break up for a holiday or how wonderful it was that they were back in school now, (usually, said right in front of said children!). Meanwhile I was grieving that lost time with them. I hated that they had to go to school. Luckily, due to my husband's job, we had to make the decision to home educate them and so we did. And it was the best time. Unless it's due to 'necessary' work commitments, enjoy your children! You chose to have them!

Of course not the county lines gangs would have a field day, and imagine how addicted to phones and gaming the kids would become as parents have to work.

Frustrating isn't it when people assume teachers are just putting their feet up during their unpaid holidays!

Really? You mean our unpaid holidays? You mean the unpaid holidays where I will still end up working through most of it so we're ready to have a successful start in September? After regularly working 60-70 hours a week during term time?

I've worked term-time my whole career, partner is a teacher, and we have a 5 year old. It's only now I have mum friends that I see the reality of having to source childcare when you have a non-school job.
I really dont know how people do it! Especially without family helping out. The expense and the juggle of it all really seems like a nightmare. We feel so lucky to always have the time together.
So no, I don't think adding more time is the solution. Actually, if we kept the whole 13 weeks off, I think it should be better spread out. Add an extra week to October half term and an extra week in May/June, and shorten the summer to 4 weeks.
That doesn't help non-education job professionals though. Agree with other PPs that the system needs an overhaul there, as it feels like working parents are always losing out or penalised!

We don’t need more school holidays but I do have a proposal

30 hours a week equals full time working 🙌🏻 3 day weekends all all! I’m tired too.

Yes this! Last few weeks of term are unbearable hot!

In Finland we have subsidised summer camps for children who wouldn't be able to afford to go otherwise, and subsidised family holidays for families who wouldn't be able to afford a holiday, or for families with certain struggles (health issues, social issues). There's even subsidised holidays for low-income adults though those include lectures and group discussions and fitness tests so probably aimed at getting those people into a better condition to work. Oo and there's ones for the elderly, which must be really great for those that are more isolated usually. These are all run by private organisations though, not the government (though they probably get some grants from the government, as many organisations doing social good do)

I actually believe all children should experience a holiday. I live in an area where many people have not been on holiday, ever. They pay taxes too.

Many children have the opportunity for a holiday with school, others go with guides / scouts.