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

@tumblingdowntherabbithole If she really does have the kind of job where this is fully accepted, she can be honest with her boss about it and get permission.

Otherwise it is just skiving.

What were they up to at that age that meant you couldn’t finish a cup of tea?

If they are as flexible as you say then there is no reason why you can’t be honest with them and tell them what your plans are rather than be sneaky about it?

And? It's not like they're toddlers - they're 8 and 10, old enough to amuse themselves while she works.

Not everyone has jobs where they have to be switched on for 8 hours straight. Lots of us can dip in and out of work, take time off as/when we need it and do other things at the same time as doing our jobs.

Lots of bitter people on here

Nope I think you’re being unfair to both children and work.

Also shocked at your taking annual leave in September, do you never holiday with your children?

I agree with those who have said you need to get your boss's explicit permission for this. Otherwise you are blatantly skiving when you are contracted to work.

Am also intrigued to know what industry you work in where they can find literally nothing useful for you to do within your paid hours.

Spot on

And she is caring for her children during those less busy times when she is not on annual leave

Having them.at home with you is one thing, but taking them out and about when u being paid to work is not good. This is the sort of infringement that costs people the privilege of being able to wrh

What I think is odd is that you’re booking leave for when the kids are at school so you can have “a break”. And yet you’re taking the whole of August off to the the kids out and about. You’re taking the piss op.

My son is ten and can be left with dh for a few hours. It does end up being screen heavy though so I wouldn’t do it every day.
it’s a risk for 6 whole weeks but if you think you can make it work why not.

Agreed... this might work for half term week, but six weeks? I'd be booking a few days off over that period so that you can have a Big Day Out with them... and relax from thinking about work all the time.. It will break things up from being stuck at home and make things a bit more fun for all of you. I guess you will have the weekends too.

All depends on work flow.. but if its quiet and you think you can make it work...
I'd have a back up plan tho if things are likely to blow up... could you have a babysitter lined up ?

Mine are the same ages and since last year I have started sometimes WFH with them at home (and I do have a full day of work to do). They get on well and are good at entertaining each other so basically I just sort them out lunch at lunchtime and will typically spend a few minutes checking in on them in the middle of the morning and in the middle of the afternoon. If anything I am more productive as I work the time I’d be ferrying them to and from clubs.

However I don’t think it is fair on them just to be at home all day every day.

So for a typical week in the summer I might do 1-2 days at home, 2-3 days in a holiday club and take one day of leave to take them out somewhere.

So when you’re supposed to be working, you actually won’t be, you’ll be looking after your kids?

Or else you’ll have the kids being bored around the house whilst you work?

Then, when the kids are back at school and work starts up again, you’ll take time off to have a “proper break”?

To me it sounds like you’ll either be short changing your kids or your work here, so that you basically get double time off. Why doesn’t your work just close in August if there’s “nothing to do”?

Great to hear. Not sure what industry you are in but I am clearly in the wrong one. Enjoy your summer holidays

I actually think you are taking the piss, especially with your comment of " I will get more of a break (if take annual leave )when the kids are back at school "

I think you should mention it to your employer. If they are as flexible as you say they are, and it genuinely is as quiet as you say, then why not mention it? If its cos you think they will have a problem, there is your answer.

But not everyone works in your industry

OP clearly has a job where some months are busy and others are dead.

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.

I would probably do the same in your shoes. They’re old enough to keep themselves occupied. From your description you can be timely and responsive when needed and will make sure the work gets done.

Exactly!

And this way you don’t have to worry about losing your job when they find out.

I was just about to say the same thing.,

If that's true then tell your boss you're planning to be with the kids during Auguat but will answer emails on your phone. Get their agreement in writing so it can't come back on you.

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