to think I can get by without childcare in August because work is quiet?

Why are you here then? Scroll on by.

If the work you are being paid to do is done, I don’t mind.

Amazingly some people get caught out when seen out and about when they should be at work.
Why take annual leave once your kids are back at school? Obviously you planned to bunk off work months ago

You know what? It’s pretty quiet in my public sector job during August as lots of people on leave etc. if my manager is ok with it, do any of you tax payers mind if I take home my full salary whilst I do a few emails on my phone and spend my days taking the kids out?

It is the way you come across in your messages. I will say it again, if your workplace and manager is completely fine with this arrangement and it is normal in your industry, then what is the point in this thread? If you are confident you have no work/self development/training to do for the full 4 weeks, then you know you can manage. A pointless thread.

well just by the fact that your job is full time then already you’re not dedicating every second of your life to your children are you? Most working parents share their annual leave between them to ensure they spend as much time with them during school holidays as they can, plus take some leave off at the same time so that they can go away on a family holiday together. How come your DH is away on a family holiday and you’re not on it? Even though it’s a quiet time in work and it would have made perfect sense to go now?

it’s really odd that you say you need a break from your children in September. Are you on a wind-up? Aren’t they away with DH now? You’re having a break from them now.

@Hecatoncheires - Re 'times are very different these days'. Yes, the British economy is going down the toilet and a work ethic like this is one of the reasons why.

Efficient workplaces should plan around ebb and flow, e.g. my workplace is very quiet at Christmas so it is mandated that we take holiday in the week between Christmas and New Year. Multiple staff being paid to 'work' whilst they're on outings with their kids is economically insane, it's cheating someone somewhere out of money... and it is ultimately unsustainable.

I am a relationship manager so yes if a business has an urgent issue and its my customer , I would have to be available to sort it.

I also like summer, I would rather use my leave during the warmer dry months, even though I am not as busy (mostly).

Yes I am also interested that the OP won't even name the general sort of field she is in. It wouldn't out her.

Whatever it is though, public or private sector, someone somewhere will know that she (and her manager by the sounds of it) are taking the piss, and I can't believe there won't be consequences at some point. It will be at the expense of someone.

It's possible this doesn't matter to the OP, in which case that's fine - perhaps she has a large private inheritance to live off and her income is just pocket money. Or perhaps her partner is main earner. But I am telling you OP as someone who has managed lots of people: if you are in any way ambitious, this attitude will get you nowhere.

It also makes me quite cross from a feminist POV. Women with kids (me included) have worked so hard to ensure we are taken as seriously as childless men in the workplace. Behaviour like this sets that back so much.

I’d do it. I’ve booked no leave and my youngest is 9. Like you works dead.

Am I the only person who thinks that when it gets busy the OP will do her allocated hours and no more?

Its interesting that the OP refuses to name their industry. Its clearly a permament full time role and wondering whether its Higher Education which has a huge amount of piss taking (not everyone of course).

My DS was badly let down when he did his degree with the attitude of the lecturers during COVID. So were his fellow students.

As I and many have said, you come across as entitled, with your my holiday alone is better for me.

Im sorry but that seems unpleasant when you’re already getting a week alone in August.

You’re doing your best for you with your two weeks alone. Which you have already admitted by the September holiday suiting you best, because you enjoy it more.

I’m not sure why you’ve asked for an opinion.

There is nothing wrong with a solo holiday as a parent. I truly value time on my own. That space to just be myself and have no one else putting any demands on me, which still happens on a family holiday, is so important for recharging my battery.

All industries are different. Just because a lot of people do have consistent workload year round doesn't mean it applies across all organizations. Whether people here are willing to admit it or not, it absolutely reeks of jealousy from those who are unable to understand and accept that OP sounds like she has a great life:work balance and has a solution which works for her, her family and her employer.

8 and 10 should be fine, they aren't going to be screaming and jumping all over you on Zoom calls. Make sure you use a room they aren't allowed in to make work calls, but I'm sure you've thought of that.

My DM (nursery nurse) always took us to work on Inset days, and WFH is a lot more practical than that IMO. It's your home, that other people live in. They shouldn't have to be banished from the entire premises because Mummy needs to send a few emails. Anyone arguing that they should be is just jealous!

OP, I don't think you're being unreasonable. Times are very different these days. Yes, the economy is in a dark place and all that. But so are working practices. If the nature of your work means that it's quiet and your manager is happy for you to wfh in the full knowledge that you have your kids at home then just go for it. I can imagine that when it's time for all hands on deck yours are right in there getting the work done, probably working unpaid hours. I know I've been in this position at times. Business peaks and troughs, there is ebb and flow. Not everyone will agree with you or think that what you propose is the right thing to do. But you've taken on board the advice and asked your manager, so you're in the clear.

Is everyone else in your team taking time off in August but not booking it as leave as well, or is it just you? Will everyone else then be taking their saved official leave on top of this unofficial August time off, or is it just you? Are your managers doing the same as you, taking their work phones on holiday with them and not being on official leave? If so, then you are okay, that is work policy. If not you are expecting something your colleagues don't get. Loads of people have their children at home with them while they work from home, most people turn a blind eye. Going out for the day with them is something different!

There’s working the bare minimum (odd call or email) and there is actually doing the work you’re actually paid to do (unless it is only to answer the odd call and email). These two things are usually pretty different. It may be quiet but people generally are supposed to use those periods to catch up on training, planning, admin etc, if you don’t know what else you should be doing if it’s quiet then ask your manager. Doing this once or twice because you have childcare plans fall through etc is one thing, but for the whole summer os pretty obviously going to be a sackable offence should you get caught out. Then there is the question of if you are providing childcare or just an occasional check in. I’m sure you know that this isn’t what working from home is meant to be. Maybe it’s a reverse of someone who has caught one of their staff or colleagues out.

Herts has put it brilliantly. Nothing further to add.

Not directly related to the OP’s situation but I know quite a few families with children aged 7-11 and they are all WFH with children at home this week. Most holiday clubs here don’t start up until next week so lots of children being given a few days of downtime at home before a family holiday or sports camps, holiday clubs etc next week.

Sounds pretty awesome, I think I have a tendency to assume everyone is as time poor as we are in my own household

Not even being at home is really taking the piss.