What do working parents do about school holidays?

[Terracottafarmers]

Inspired by another post: We’re thinking about trying for a baby soon, and I’m curious how do working parents manage the 6 weeks of summer holidays and all the other school breaks (Christmas, Easter, half-terms, inset days) when you both work? With only 28 days of annual leave each, how do you cover it all? Do you rely on family, after school clubs, or flexible working. We will both have to return to work pretty much as soon as we can so any tips will be appreciated

We did holiday camps, friend swops and had their kids for a week etc. we had an aupair for 3 years which I don’t think you can do now because of to brexit, but that was great fun my boys loved their aupairs.

but you juggle though, we tag teamed our annual leave and I eventually set up my own business as it made all of this much easier to have one flexible parent.

I was a sahm. I dont recall a single summer holiday or spring half term where we didn't have at least 1 of our childrens friends for a day or two

Most of my friends were super careful.about asking so I never felt put upon. 2 friends knew they could always ask and I had their children more but both children were close friends of my youngest 2.

Took most of our leave at different times
Used holiday clubs
Informal swaps with other parents (everyone lived within very easy walking distance of our local primary, DC’s best friends could see each others houses from their windows. This is important, IMO, and makes life so much easier when choosing a primary school. We parents were friends, the kids were friends, we did a lot of reciprocal childcare)

There are holiday clubs that run for most of the summer hols.

my dm
very occasionally some short of day care/holiday clubs
but needs booking early.

Mine are teens now but it was really hard when they were small.

DH worked nights and I worked days for a good few years so we didn’t have to use too much formal childcare.

Dh worked at a company and his leave was told to him by his employer (2 weeks in the summer, Christmas, and Easter) he could only choose about 5 days.

We rarely had holidays together, and just made it work. The summer holidays were the biggest pain as trying to cover the other 4 weeks when I was limited to leave during that time was a total pain.

I remember Id pack up the car and take them away camping and DH would join us once he’d finished work or managed to swap shifts.

we were too poor for either of us to take unpaid parental leave and we never had holiday abroad or cottages etc it was always camping and beach days

Private nursery and after school clubs 🤷🏻‍♀️ both working full time. Back at work when little one was 6 months. Pumping at work until she was 18 months

We chose the dc's primary school because it had a wrap around club that covered 60% of school holidays (3 days in a week; 6 days in a fortnight; 4 weeks of the 6 week + break).

I have worked 4 days a a week since my youngest started school (previously 3 days) which helps.

DH and I very rarely have any time off together.

I found it a stressful nightmare. We sorted it with a mix and muddle of everything possible. No grandparents to help, and we'd moved away from any friends that might have helped in an emergency.

We did separate annual leave, some childcare, changing jobs or hours to help.

At one point I did the nursery and school drop offs during the day, then worked evenings.

Every time I felt a bit more in control, one or the other child would be ill, or the school would close for some random reason.

Being organised is key, like pp’s have said. For the summer holiday, I would draw out a calendar (old school) and work out day by day how we would cover childcare. For us it is a mixture of grandparents, doing childcare swaps with friends kids, holiday clubs (essential to book these early as the good and reasonably priced ones get booked up fast - we found an outdoor adventure one for £25 a day which was perfect for our kids) taking some days separately as annual leave. Plus I work a 4 day week which is one day a week covered. DH might also shift his hours (in academia so flexible) so he would work one weekend day then have one day off in the week. We also prioritise a family holiday in the summer so take 1 week off together. The DC are 11,13 and 15 now and we are coming out the other side of it, but I am still drawing out my calendar, more to ensure that they have a balance of activities over the holidays and not glued to their screens and indoors all day! I’d say it can be a tricky but doable, and have a good network of friends and a supportive involved family is invaluable.

We were lucky enough to be able to work opposite shifts so no need for any child care. Though it was tough on us as we were like ships passing in the night for a long time. 2 adults and a teenager now so it's all behind us.

we didn’t get any help from family. We both work F/T. We had to split our holidays so that one of us was here with the kids during school holidays. This was always hard as we could only ever allow for a mutual week so that we could have a family holiday together. I also had to take advantage of holiday clubs and pay for this. We also used up unpaid Dependents leave to give us more time with the kids.
I was riddled with guilt at the time, but now that my kids are teens I realise they made loads of friends and we managed to get through it some how.
you have to do what you have to do. For us we both needed to work F/T to pay the bills.

half terms - I only work a 4 day week so we need to cover 4 days only - usually a day each and then I take my friends little boy one day and my friend takes mine another day

Easter - 1 week at a school camp and we usually all go away the second week

luckily I get same Xmas holidays as my work is closed for the 2 weeks

I take 3 weeks unpaid parental leave in the summer. My parents have her for a week, and we take a weeks annual leave together and husband takes a week

bit of jiggling but make it work somehow

i cam sometimes work a 5 day week and take the extra day as time in lieu which helps

holiday camps. You have to look at the cost amortized over the course of the year, not just during the summer or the month. If you don’t, your brain will explode.

also they best ones fill up fast, so do your research in advance and be there to sign up the moment registration opens. Nothing like setting an alarm for 2am 4 months ahead of summer so your child gets to do art or cooking instead of just generic child care.

Holiday clubs
Informal swaps with other parents
Annual leave
Working into the evenings/ overnight to make up time missed during the day.

We have four children, and both of us spent months at a time working overseas, so it took a lot of organisation. They have all turned out ok.

I just wouldn't be able to put that money aside not with rent and bills food, clothes, and then if you are paying full charges for things having been on UC.

I switched to term time working.

Pay, ask grandparents, take unpaid leave, wfh but in the evenings/ overnight.