Do you agree with school absence fines?

My DH works shift patterns that are all pre-set so doesn’t get to choose his holiday. Next year none of it falls in the summer holidays, so we’ll probably just do a couple of nights away not too far.

So taking children out during term time is giving them a bigger headache!! They’ve already lost a weeks holiday before they even start trying to cover the school holidays!! Needs a bit of forward planning!!

Which bit am I joking about?? Which jobs ONLY require people to work during school holidays? If people only have limited holidays surely it’s makes sense to book them during school holidays so you’re not losing a weeks holiday during term time and then trying to cover the school holidays too?

There are a lot of people who would struggle to book a week of during the school holidays especially at the same time as each other.

Of course that’s not everyone, but my sil for example can only take leave in July and August every few years because it’s their busiest time and she has to alternate with colleagues.

Then there is the affordability. For some families they simply would not be able to afford a holiday.

Which bit am I joking about?? Which jobs ONLY require people to work during school holidays? If people only have limited holidays surely it’s makes sense to book them during school holidays so you’re not losing a weeks holiday during term time and then trying to cover the school holidays too?

You are joking?

Are there any jobs that only require people to work during the school holidays? My Dad used to have to work car company shut downs which were usually last 2 weeks of July or first 2 weeks of August, we just booked holidays around that!

Most full-time jobs aren't in car manufacturing plants with fixed two-week summer shutdowns though are they? The vast majority of working parents have standard year around jobs and don't get six weeks off in the summer just because the schools do. And then you have the logistics of the parents getting the same time off as each other too.

A staycation is no good if your mum and dad can’t get the same week off together.

UK holidays are also crazy prices in the Summer too.

Are there any jobs that only require people to work during the school holidays? My Dad used to have to work car company shut downs which were usually last 2 weeks of July or first 2 weeks of August, we just booked holidays around that!

I have said quite a few times that term time holidays should be avoided if possible. It’s not something that I have done myself, but I can see how there could be situations where a term time holiday is the only chance to go.

If it was the only time where both parents could get time off, or if it was the only way that the family could afford to all go. Families have all different circumstances. If you’ve got multiple children the cost difference can be enormous. It’s ok to just say save up etc but it could be a difference of thousands of pounds.

If it was as the difference between a family not being able to go on holiday at all then I think the holiday is worth it.

Sometimes people go at times when no learning is even taking place. Such as a few days before Christmas or the last few days before the Summer holidays start or after SATS.

What would you suggest if the parents work during school holidays?

No judging at all! They can spend time together on a school holiday holiday! Even a staycation at home is spending time together.

No judging at all! They can spend time together on a school holiday holiday! Even a staycation at home is spending time together.

And so what. It might be good for a family just to spend time together. No need to judge.

Egypt was just an example pulled from the air!! In my personal experience (25 years) the majority of parents that take their child out of school for holidays are not doing any cultural learning activities. They’re chilling on the beach, by the pool and using the amusement arcades! Not once has a child or their parent told me of the wonderful learning opportunities they had or the museums or ruins they visited!!

There is a lot to be said for a beach holiday abroad. Not everything has to be 100% educational value all of the time to be beneficial and worthwhile.

If that’s the only week your parents could get off work together for example, then it is very worthwhile.

Its not always about the educational value but the quality family time.

Personally my children have learnt quite a lot from pool holidays. Learning to navigate an airport, improving their swimming, learning to dive, making new friends often children from different nationalities to themselves, snorkling, waterspouts, learning a few simple words in another language.

These things can be hugely enriching to children’s lives and are real life experiences that you can’t get inside a classroom.

That's not to dismiss the amazing work that goes on in schools but there is a life outside the school gates and what I have realised is that critical thinking and thinking for yourselves/making your own decisions decisions not just blindly following rules for the sake of rules can hold you in good stead for real life.