Christmas leave priority

I had my first at 16 I've never been childfree in my working life not everyone waits until they're 40 to have their first kid.

I guess at least we haven’t had an influx of grandparents defending the policy!

You’re exceptionally entitled for someone who doesn’t want to accommodate others lives or wishes at all!
That's hilarious. The OP missed out on summer holidays and long weekends because parents did not accommodate her life or wishes at all, and now she's missing out on what she wants to do at Christmas for the same reason.
As she says, if there was some give and take it would be different.

I'm now retired but as a single childless person this used to drive me mad. I was expected to not have Christmas off because I didnt have children. Obviously I begged to differ. I shouldn't be expected to cover for people who opted to have children. I didnt make the choice to not have children so I could work every Christmas for someone who did.

Everyone whether they have no children or 12 children should take it that there will be Christmases that they will have to work.

As for first come first served that doesn't work either as some were trying to book their Christmas holidays the year before. It should be on a yearly rotational basis.

This 'rule' also doesn't account for someone who is a single parent of an older child who may have special needs. It appears very discriminatory.

No way on earth I'd be working every Christmas for someone else's life choices.

I've honestly always found there was always a reason to have the other favoured holidays too. "Easter? Oh no, you'll have to cover it I've got kids"

Ok, so when CAN I have? May Bank Holiday? Nope. August Bank Holiday? Nope.

I am inflexible because of people taking the piss and IDGAF

Genuine question - would you believe it to be an entitled viewpoint if it were expressed by a child free person?

I tried, but whinging bores me

Age discrimination in it's finest. acas would have a field day with this 🤣🤣

That is such a tone deaf comment. If you have no family around, NO ONE is going to want to have your children over Christmas. There is no childcare open over Christmas.

Is it the fault of your colleagues? No. But a parent can't physically come to work if they have children to look after.

If employers want parents to work over Christmas, they need to allow WFH, or to allow parents to take children into work, or provide creches.

We live in a country that is terrible for childcare.

I'm too old to have childcare to worry about now. But I do remember that it is a nightmare if you don't live near family over the holiday season.

I think you need to be a bit careful with sweeping generalisations like this OP, a lot of "parents on here" think your bosses are being incredibly unfair to give parents preferential treatment.

Saying most parents have had kids as a way to get their own way all the time is so weird and out of touch with reality.. I think your terrible workplace has given you a very biased opinion on parents in general, I was child free until I was 40 and never experienced this level of bias anywhere.

Some holidays have out of school clubs or childcare available. But Christmas is the one when nurseries / clubs shut down.

Summer hols is much less of a problem. We have great summer hol childcare provision where I live. There is loads available for working parents.

Because sometimes in society, grown adults put the needs of others (in this case children..!) above their own.

That’s surely a good thing. The alternative would be a society of individuals only thinking of themselves and a horrible free for all (which to be honest is what I think you mean by first come first served).

If what was expressed?

This @putmeonthebackburneris ridiculous. She seems to think it’s about her when in reality it’s about kids.

Ironically her behaviours are exactly what most kids are schooled about… “me, me, me”

Are they asking for birth certificates to prove children’s ages? What is to stop someone claiming to have small grandchildren?

Ridiculous system.

The kids won't combust if you're not home all day (UNLESS You really, really have no support at all, and this is unusual, let's be honest)

It's a parental want, not a need. I've no idea who was about for most of my childhood Christmas days. I vaguely remember one where we postponed to boxing day because my mum was in A&E. The rest? Not a clue. Odd snippets.

So avoid school holidays?

I don't have young children now and no way in hell would I want to take holiday when I'm going to be surrounded by screaming kids.

There are 13 weeks school hols in a year. That leaves 39 weeks that aren't school holidays.

You want people who do not have children to be forced to work Christmas and New Year to enable you to have time off to look after the children you chose to have? No.

when in reality it’s about kids
No, it's about everyone. Everyone has a right to a Christmas, however they want to spend it.

Why would you be in discomfort?

Yeah OP, and when you were a kid, you benefitted from this, so your parents could look after you. You’re coming at this from completely the wrong angle. You’ve already benefitted (as a child) from what you think is disadvantaging you now.

You’ve got an enormous chip on your shoulder about being mistreated. You’re not, it’s just people with kids do need time off in the school holidays, and employers acknowledge this or they’d have a staffing problem. You’ve got loads of freedom and luxury, as your wailing about choosing not to get up early on Christmas morning to see your parents shows. Try to enjoy all the freedom: the times outside of school holidays you can take leave, go abroad, etc.

Fortunately if you had a need (eg caring for a dependent), rather than a preference, employers are reasonable enough to respond to that, just as they respond to the needs of people with children or other dependents.

But you seem to think looking after a sick child is some sort of free pass or jolly, so I can see you’re not going to agree.

That aside, the work policy you’ve described is obviously ridiculous. Christmas leave should be on a rotating basis, really, or necessary arrangements made on a case by case basis. But moaning cos you’d just rather not do a drive to your parents’ after 5 or early in the morning doesn’t make your case well.