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Original poster

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

614 replies

isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 15:44

Every August, work slows down massively. It has always been this way. There is barely anything coming in, hardly any meetings or deadlines, and most of my team is off. My manager and her manager are both away for the whole of August, so it is very unlikely anything urgent will come up.

I have primary school-aged kids and I am thinking I might skip childcare this year. I usually only have about one to two hours of work a day in August, and some days there is literally nothing to do at all. Anything that does come up, I can usually fit around the kids early in the morning or after they have gone to bed. I have proper annual leave booked for September when they are back at school, so I will get a proper break then.

Has anyone else done this? Just managed without childcare when work was super quiet?

OP posts:
tumblingdowntherabbithole · 24/07/2025 18:29

cheesycheesy · 24/07/2025 18:28

Lots of very bitter and jealous responses here! I wouldn’t usually think wfh with children is a good idea but it makes sense in this situation

Yep, the bitterness and jealousy is glaring, isn't it? Grin

PropertyD · 24/07/2025 18:29

Next the OP will claim they are brilliant at the role and they cannot afford to be without her..

Original poster
isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 18:29

PropertyD · 24/07/2025 18:26

Are you being paid for full time hours? As they are older it would probably be fine but now you are saying you will go out with them and work from your phone.

I cannot help thinking that you are trying to justify saving yourself lots in childcare costs. If it’s really true that you have nothing to do in August just what is the point of your role?

Yes, I am paid for my contracted hours and I do work them across the year. Like many roles, the workload naturally ebbs and flows. August happens to be quiet, while other times of the year are extremely busy and require a lot of juggling and extra effort. That is the nature of the job and it is well understood within my team.

If something urgent comes up, I can deal with it quickly. I will still be working when needed, just more flexibly during a quiet period.

As for the point of my role, I think it is unfair to judge the value of a job based on a few quiet weeks. Most jobs have slower periods, especially in certain industries over the summer. That does not mean the role has no purpose the rest of the time.

OP posts:
tumblingdowntherabbithole · 24/07/2025 18:29

RaininSummer · 24/07/2025 18:28

I don't think you should be 'out and about' when you are meant be working but the rest might work I guess.

Genuinely - why not? If your job only involves the odd e-mail or phone call, why should you be sat inside all day twiddling your thumbs?

nadine90 · 24/07/2025 18:29

I did in my previous job when kids were similar ages and it was fine. I did put them in a few cheap holiday clubs (just 11-3 a couple days a week, and booked days off here and there to do fun things out of the house, but they were old enough to entertain themselves at home while I worked in another room for the most part.

cheesycheesy · 24/07/2025 18:28

Lots of very bitter and jealous responses here! I wouldn’t usually think wfh with children is a good idea but it makes sense in this situation

RaininSummer · 24/07/2025 18:28

I don't think you should be 'out and about' when you are meant be working but the rest might work I guess.

cheesycheesy · 24/07/2025 18:27

Praying4Peace · 24/07/2025 17:49

Well in my experience of looking after children, I have been lucky if I was able to drink a hot cup of tea!

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You can’t drink a hot cup of tea with an 8 and 10 year old? I don’t see why unless they have additional needs

Original poster
isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 18:27

WhitegreeNcandle · 24/07/2025 18:09

Blimey, how the other half live. I really can’t see how these jobs are going to be around in 5 years time. Whose head do you think is going to be on the chopping board when costs are reviewed? Yup, that person who does bigger all for two months a year.

Even when costs were reviewed in the past, my head was not on the chopping board. They just published their figures and they are doing very well.

OP posts:
tumblingdowntherabbithole · 24/07/2025 18:27

Notsuchafattynow · 24/07/2025 18:26

Well, in this case you are 100% out of order.

At my place, we'd sack you.

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OP doesn't work for you, so what you'd do is totally irrelevant.

Sundaybananas · 24/07/2025 18:27

isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 18:22

It’s completely understood in my team and wider department that August is an extremely quiet period. There are genuinely days where there is no work coming in at all, and that’s been the case for years.

When there is work to do, I do it. I’m not planning to ignore my responsibilities, just to manage them around the kids for a few weeks during a lull, I’m not taking the piss. Work is not neglected.

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Then what is the point of the thread?

Obviously if your work are find with it, then there is no problem.

It read as if you were planning to hide it for some reason, but now you seem to be saying that’s not the case. It’s “completely understood”.

Notsuchafattynow · 24/07/2025 18:26

isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 16:29

I will be taking them out. I am not going to sit with them in the house all day for when there is no work or very little work.

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Well, in this case you are 100% out of order.

At my place, we'd sack you.

PropertyD · 24/07/2025 18:26

Are you being paid for full time hours? As they are older it would probably be fine but now you are saying you will go out with them and work from your phone.

I cannot help thinking that you are trying to justify saving yourself lots in childcare costs. If it’s really true that you have nothing to do in August just what is the point of your role?

Original poster
isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 18:25

Flamingos89 · 24/07/2025 18:21

I could never get away with looking after my kid secretly for the entirety of August. If i needed a day or two I would disclose that Information and inform my employer off my working plan. Mostly to protect myself tbh, and if it’s reasonable I’m pretty sure it would be fine!

Totally appreciate every role is different - your role sounds very stress free and ideal tbh. (Appreciate this may just be August and I don’t know what you do). However, so many people are getting made redundant or let go at the moment because companies across the board are having to look at where costs can be cut. If I could get away with doing so little work for an ENTIRE month, I’d be expecting an awkward call at some point! Also if I was your manager and found out you had been ‘enjoying the summer’ when you were left in charge of the team - I’d absolutely be making cuts!

Edited

What is the point of making cuts? I do my job extremely well. It is the nature of the work that it is very quiet some months. It has been like this for years.

My organisation are not making any cuts or redundancies. They are in a very healthy financial position.

OP posts:
SunshineMountain · 24/07/2025 18:25

I can’t understand not wanting to take time off while your children are off, but if that’s what works for you 🤷🏽‍♀️.
My kids have come to work with me in the holidays/ inset days/ unwell with something not contagious, for a few years (they’re now 12 and 9). In fact, I have a fair few days over the summer where I will have at least one child (maybe 2) and our dog with me. My boss doesn’t know which days or if there’s any days, but she’s completely ok with it and loves having a chat with the kids and even giving them little jobs to do. In my previous job, if I took a child to work I would have had a disciplinary on the spot I reckon. All work places are different and if the rules are flexible enough to allow you to work as and when is needed, instead of a set time period, then I would go for it. It also depends on your children and how they would cope if you were suddenly busy for hours on end. I take lunchboxes to work so mine can eat as and when they need, but yours will be at home so you could make them something up, but it sounds like they’re old enough to get themselves a sandwich when needed.

FatCatSkinnyRat · 24/07/2025 18:25

Itsnotallaboutyoulikeyouthink · 24/07/2025 18:07

Why are you not taking your annual leave and instead having it in September?

Because she's lazy and work shy, saving up leave until work picks up again and she doesn't have to talk to her kids.

Original poster
isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 18:23

Parker231 · 24/07/2025 18:23

We have a contractual clause that if working from home you cannot have primary age children at home unless childcare is in place. If the clause is breeched you can no longer work from home. What are your contractual terms?

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I don't have that clause in my contract.

OP posts:
Whaleandsnail6 · 24/07/2025 18:23

isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 18:22

It’s completely understood in my team and wider department that August is an extremely quiet period. There are genuinely days where there is no work coming in at all, and that’s been the case for years.

When there is work to do, I do it. I’m not planning to ignore my responsibilities, just to manage them around the kids for a few weeks during a lull, I’m not taking the piss. Work is not neglected.

Edited
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Then why not tell work this is what you plan to do?

Let them decide if this is acceptable.

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 24/07/2025 18:23

isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 18:22

It’s completely understood in my team and wider department that August is an extremely quiet period. There are genuinely days where there is no work coming in at all, and that’s been the case for years.

When there is work to do, I do it. I’m not planning to ignore my responsibilities, just to manage them around the kids for a few weeks during a lull, I’m not taking the piss. Work is not neglected.

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You're fine OP. MN can just be a bit weird when it comes to anyone who has a decent work-life balance, or the ability to work flexibly Grin

Muffsies · 24/07/2025 18:23

I have done this on a handful of days, but I wouldn't do it for the whole summer, no. My youngest is old enough to go to the park on his own, so I think that's a bit different from kids who need to be watched all the time.

It's not fair on the kids to be kept indoors whilst you work, and you shouldn't be going out with them if you're supposed to be "at your post", that would be taking the piss. If it's just a couple of days a week, then I guess it's ok, but you need to be careful that you're not breaking any work rules.

Whistlingformysupper · 24/07/2025 18:23

I don't get why you booked annual leave for September when they are at school. Why would you not book it during August if work is so quiet, to spend some proper time with them, take them out etc?
It sort of feels like you've done this deliberately so that you don't have to use your annual leave on caring for your kids but prefer to have time for yourself when they are at school

Parker231 · 24/07/2025 18:23

isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 17:38

I am not planning to mention it to anyone. Looking after children while working is not mentioned in my contract.

Show quote history

We have a contractual clause that if working from home you cannot have primary age children at home unless childcare is in place. If the clause is breeched you can no longer work from home. What are your contractual terms?

TaupeLemur · 24/07/2025 18:22

I did it with kids that age, they came and went with friends etc but I have to say having their almost constant presence did drive me mad!!!

Original poster
isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 18:22

MellowPinkDeer · 24/07/2025 17:55

Is it your company policy to allow people to not work whilst they are being paid to do so? Do you have some kind of contract which just allows you to do nothing all day? If so, cool. If not then You’re really taking the piss and are part of the problem which causes people to believe that those who wfh do nothing all day.

It’s completely understood in my team and wider department that August is an extremely quiet period. There are genuinely days where there is no work coming in at all, and that’s been the case for years.

When there is work to do, I do it. I’m not planning to ignore my responsibilities, just to manage them around the kids for a few weeks during a lull, I’m not taking the piss. Work is not neglected.

OP posts:
Catingle · 24/07/2025 18:21

Given it seems to be well understood in your organisation that you basically have almost no work to do in August, what are they actually expecting you to do with your day? Stare at a blank screen waiting for an email to arrive.

It seems odd that they don’t either plan non-urgent tasks (admin, training etc) that can fill your time OR explicitly say you can work entirely flexibly/don’t need to fulfill certain hours.