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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Original poster
isitPeri1 · 26/07/2025 08:35

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 26/07/2025 06:28

It absolutely is jealousy. Lots of people on here have this weird idea that everyone should be chained to their jobs for nine hours a day with zero room for any kind of downtime, flexibility or freedom.

Show quote history

Totally agree. So much of the reaction is just plain jealousy. Some people cannot stand the idea that someone else has a bit of freedom or flexibility while they feel stuck.

Instead of asking why their own workplace is so rigid, they lash out at people who’ve found a setup that actually works. If they had the same option, they would take it in a heartbeat.

OP posts:
Original poster
isitPeri1 · 26/07/2025 08:33

Charmofgoldfinch · 25/07/2025 23:43

You’d be sacked at my place of work for doing this regardless of how quiet work is. You are paid to work not look after your kids. If it’s quite at work you should be asking your manager if there is anything. Else that needs doing or covering whilst folk are on leave, or if there is any learning and development you should do. if there’s an accident and you or your kids are hurt and it comes out it was in work time then your work may also have to investigate that as per health and safety regulations.

Would you not feel guilty about looking after your kids on work time when colleagues book time off to look after their kids or to do personal errands etc? Or if your colleagues are paying loads for childcare whilst you’re at home looking after your kids and getting paid for it?

I’m not at your workplace. I’m at mine, and my manager has said it’s fine. I’ve been honest about my setup, and nothing is being hidden or done behind anyone’s back. I’m working less because hardly anything coming in, and when there is work, I do it.

I don’t need to feel guilty when I can manage a couple of hours of light work around my kids during a quiet period.

As for health and safety. Let's be serious. I’m not doing surgery while juggling school runs. I’m answering the odd email and tying up a few loose ends. No one’s in danger, and nothing is being compromised.

If my colleagues are taking leave or using childcare, that’s their choice based on their role, workload and personal setup. Mine is different. I’m not offloading work onto anyone else and nothing is being dropped. I am doing my job.

OP posts:
tumblingdowntherabbithole · 26/07/2025 06:28

isitPeri1 · 25/07/2025 22:06

Some of the replies here are ridiculous! People acting like they are my manager, coming under fire because I want a week off to myself even though I will have spent all of August with my DC, saying it is immoral. The list goes on.

Jealousy?

Show quote history

It absolutely is jealousy. Lots of people on here have this weird idea that everyone should be chained to their jobs for nine hours a day with zero room for any kind of downtime, flexibility or freedom.

LameBorzoi · 26/07/2025 00:23

isitPeri1 · 25/07/2025 22:06

Some of the replies here are ridiculous! People acting like they are my manager, coming under fire because I want a week off to myself even though I will have spent all of August with my DC, saying it is immoral. The list goes on.

Jealousy?

Show quote history

Yeah, jealousy.

And people who don't understand genuine productivity. Mumsnet has this protestant make-work ideology sometimes.

Charmofgoldfinch · 25/07/2025 23:43

You’d be sacked at my place of work for doing this regardless of how quiet work is. You are paid to work not look after your kids. If it’s quite at work you should be asking your manager if there is anything. Else that needs doing or covering whilst folk are on leave, or if there is any learning and development you should do. if there’s an accident and you or your kids are hurt and it comes out it was in work time then your work may also have to investigate that as per health and safety regulations.

Would you not feel guilty about looking after your kids on work time when colleagues book time off to look after their kids or to do personal errands etc? Or if your colleagues are paying loads for childcare whilst you’re at home looking after your kids and getting paid for it?

Confabulations · 25/07/2025 22:39

Backhometothenorth · 25/07/2025 21:29

But has made herself highly disposable for future restructures

How so? Fire her for August then re-hire her in September?

I went into town with my son this afternoon. Did some of my life admin and had coffee and cake with him. Then came back, did another couple of hours work while he mowed the lawn. I got a message from my manager's manager telling me to stop working and enjoy the weekend.

EweCee · 25/07/2025 22:35

I’d be interested in exactly how you asked your manager - what did you actually ask? As a ‘I might be out on occasion and will work from my phone on those occasions’ is different to ‘I’m planning on being out most days and doing activities with my kids whilst out each time’. Phrasing and transparency could elicit entirely different responses from your manager…..

Original poster
isitPeri1 · 25/07/2025 22:06

WhereIsMyJumper · 25/07/2025 22:03

Apparently that poster knows more about your work performance than you or your manager!

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Some of the replies here are ridiculous! People acting like they are my manager, coming under fire because I want a week off to myself even though I will have spent all of August with my DC, saying it is immoral. The list goes on.

Jealousy?

OP posts:
Original poster
isitPeri1 · 25/07/2025 22:05

Backhometothenorth · 25/07/2025 21:57

Because you have exposed a big potential saving for the business

They will have to get rid of everyone then - it is quiet month across the board. It is nothing new that has been exposed.

OP posts:
WhereIsMyJumper · 25/07/2025 22:03

isitPeri1 · 25/07/2025 21:51

Why? Do you know how my industry works? My manager and her manager are grateful I will hold the fort while they are both away,

Show quote history

Apparently that poster knows more about your work performance than you or your manager!

Backhometothenorth · 25/07/2025 21:57

Because you have exposed a big potential saving for the business

Original poster
isitPeri1 · 25/07/2025 21:51

Backhometothenorth · 25/07/2025 21:29

But has made herself highly disposable for future restructures

Why? Do you know how my industry works? My manager and her manager are grateful I will hold the fort while they are both away,

OP posts:
Sundaybananas · 25/07/2025 21:38

Backhometothenorth · 25/07/2025 21:29

But has made herself highly disposable for future restructures

One would have assumed so, but OP has assured us that she is indispensable.

Backhometothenorth · 25/07/2025 21:29

But has made herself highly disposable for future restructures

Sundaybananas · 25/07/2025 21:23

Katherine9 · 25/07/2025 20:49

Then why was this even posted?

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She hadn’t asked the boss at the start of the thread.

So ultimately a bit of a non-event, but good outcome for OP who can now crack on knowing she won’t get fired.

Katherine9 · 25/07/2025 20:49

isitPeri1 · 25/07/2025 18:38

Thread has moved on. The manager said it is ok.

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Then why was this even posted?

Original poster
isitPeri1 · 25/07/2025 20:41

Laurmolonlabe · 25/07/2025 19:47

It's technically possible- but if anything goes wrong or something important comes up you might lose your job. Also every office I have ever worked in has been full of people who would make a point of telling your manager and her manager you were mostly absent.
Having 2 managers on holiday at the same time for a whole month is utterly unheard of in any business I have ever worked in.

How would I lose my job? I have asked the manager and been told it is fine. You don't have to RTFT but just the OP's posts. It helps stop you making irrelevant posts.

OP posts:
Laurmolonlabe · 25/07/2025 19:47

It's technically possible- but if anything goes wrong or something important comes up you might lose your job. Also every office I have ever worked in has been full of people who would make a point of telling your manager and her manager you were mostly absent.
Having 2 managers on holiday at the same time for a whole month is utterly unheard of in any business I have ever worked in.

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 25/07/2025 19:45

Letskeepcalm · 25/07/2025 19:14

Obviously.
But personally, I would book my holidays to share with my children, that's why I had them.

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OP is going to go out with her children everyday.

It's funny how other threads encourage people to take time for themselves, but when an OP is doing just that, people are rushing to criticise Hmm

Original poster
isitPeri1 · 25/07/2025 19:21

Letskeepcalm · 25/07/2025 19:14

Obviously.
But personally, I would book my holidays to share with my children, that's why I had them.

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Good for you.

OP posts:
Letskeepcalm · 25/07/2025 19:14

isitPeri1 · 25/07/2025 19:08

Is that not allowed?

Show quote history

Obviously.
But personally, I would book my holidays to share with my children, that's why I had them.

Original poster
isitPeri1 · 25/07/2025 19:08

Letskeepcalm · 25/07/2025 18:48

You have primary age children and you've booked annual leave for when they are back at school?

Show quote history

Is that not allowed?

OP posts:
Letskeepcalm · 25/07/2025 18:48

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?

You have primary age children and you've booked annual leave for when they are back at school?

Katherine9 · 25/07/2025 18:46

Essentially, you'll be either letting your employer or your kids down. This might be an acceptable plan for a couple of days, but not an entire month! I personally couldn't live with the guilt/stress! I'd really regret it when they returned to school too.

Original poster
isitPeri1 · 25/07/2025 18:44

beautifuldaytosavelives · 25/07/2025 18:40

Why would you take leave when they are back at school and not when they are off? No, just on principle. You’re at work. Paid to work, not go to the park.

Why not?

Manager said it is fine.

OP posts: