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

wow amazing, don’t ever leave that job! A job where you can basically take a full month off on full pay without working is a rarity.

No but people like OP who aren't upfront about the flexibility they need and just do what suits them without approval, is undoubtedly having an impact on employers decision to bring people back to the office.

But op working harder wouldn't make your situation any better

Teachers are on holiday in August. Annual Leave. It’s not the same.

😂 seriously?

She is doing her job. Maybe she’s just better at it 🤷🏽‍♀️

Yes I agree.
Also wondering about won't questions be asked if her manager knows she has kids

Yes I agree with this. I take my annual leave in August as it's quiet at work. When my toddler is school aged I'll want to use it to take him on holiday if I can afford to or do days out with him without thinking about my emails

OP, I can't believe you posted this as a question knowing MN 😂
Look at the hundreds of threads on here saying "solidarity" when parenting is tough and there's no respite and then bashing you taking time off in September
And all those who can't quite fathom that a job can both be seasonal and important at the same time.
And those who are so concerned for your employer who wouldn't bat an eyelid over saving money, but you are the apparently the piss taker.

If the works getting done, carry on and enjoy your summer.

OP I'm doing the exact same as you, except I have three kids aged 4 and under. I've booked in 4 days of holiday club over the summer just for a change or scene for them and if there is any specific work/housework/cooking I can catch up on in that time. Saving about £2k.

I work for a European for profit company and it's well known that many European countries shut down for a few weeks in Aug. Most of my emails today are getting OOO replies. Today I worked for an hour during naptime and am on top of all tasks.

The tasks I am in charge of are assigned to me, so regardless of when I choose to take annual leave, whether now or in Sept, I just come back to the same work. It's no one else's responsibility to do the job except me. I'm the only one in the company with my job role. Pros and cons to this, that if I took a 2 week long holiday, I come back to 2 weeks worth of work to catch up on. And if the work doesn't get done, it's very obvious it is my task.

I also don't take any Christmas/Easter holidays for the exact same reason.

Carry on OP.

Kids teachers will all be doing this is. August!

Morally, you should really be working and doing extra stuff for your employer during the time though

I would also give kids a time table of what to do eg

8-9 breakfast tidy up and washing up and unload dishwasher
9-10 read a book or do a craft project
10-11 musical instrument practice
11-12 tv time
12-1.30 lunch and playground with mum
2-3 art time
3-4 tidy rooms and put laundry away

Op said she's saving her leave so she can have a rest in September

I think you could do this. If some thing really picked up at work and you were asked to do more you could say your childcare let you down that day and you've got to sort something else and you'll join later.

Be careful what you say to kids tho as you don't want to set a bad example.

Also, what would happen if you are seen out and about with kids by a colleague? Do any live nearby?

Me too. But I work in a company where it is clear it is acceptable, and I don’t hide it. And I am in a position to not go out if something changes. I really don’t think that’s what the op was intending to do here. Taking the kids out for the day is not the same thing as popping to the gym. But if it was not clear from my post, it’s ultimately a business decision not a Mumsnet decision and I felt the op wasn’t prepared to check what was acceptable to her business. Now they have asked had had the ok then who am I to argue.

I find it unbelievable that you would ask and get approval to spend 4 weeks of August taking your children out every day, whilst being paid full time hours to work and just check emails via your phone.

Then to add to it, rather than use your annual leave to spend time properly with your DC and not pretend to work you book time off in September.

Take your leave in August (one day a week maybe)
Book some child care (one day a week maybe)
Don't take the piss out of your employer for the whole time.

True I’m projecting

Well Dad's took them on holiday so has booked his leave to suit his kids. Seems unfair to suggest this is because she has to do everything herself.

Loads of people do this, the question is here why do you need to seek the approval of the internet to just do what you know is best for you and your family? Why don’t you trust your own instincts/judgements?

‘Fun days out’. Ah yes I remember those type of holidays. Never quite worked out being that good. Not the same as having a week away somewhere. Parents did it for their own selfish reasons.

All these threads attract the job worth pearl clutching types. I mean it’s not ideal but what can you do when women have to do full time parenting and full time work. Some people think you should outsource your kids so they never get down time or home time. So you can appease your corporate overlords

That's a good result, you are obviously capable.

I would consider the optics if nothing else op. Everyone else is working or book me AL. You're doing a bit and doing a bit with the kids, then waiting until there's proper work to do and booking time off. The kids don't get a proper family holiday with both of you together, they don't get your full attention when they are with you - if anything arises you'll need to prioritise it so even if it's "only a, few minutes every hour" it's also your alertness to your work phone, to having to keep a degree of consciousness on checking in etc.

So no one gets your full attention and work know you're playing the system to avoid doing what everyone. esle is doing.

still, I don't understand why you posted. You clearly think you're right and entitled to do whatever suits you

It’s not. It’s genius. Maybe they have a work policy where someone has to be on call so OP can’t get the leave approved. Or Maybe OP just knows this is what keeps her mental health good.

so many mums don’t prioritise themselves. Why berate the ones who do.