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Original poster

WFH during school holidays

61 replies

BergamotMouse · 16/04/2025 13:07

This is a hypothetical question as haven’t needed it yet but as I’m sat here during the Easter holidays I think my children would be pretty much OK for a day alone, with a parent nearby WFH.

I’m a teacher but my husband WFH. I’m always here but by god, I sometimes need a break in the summer holidays.

They’re nearly 9 &6, great friends and we have a big garden they can build dens in and make mud pies etc. They wouldn’t be just put in front of a screen.

I think this could be OK for an odd day here and there? DH can dip in and out of work and could always catch up in evenings.

I’m just thinking that going back 50 years kids would probably enjoy the freedom and mine are pretty good at making their own fun.

OP posts:
CuteOrangeElephant · 16/04/2025 14:21

I very occasionally do a half day like this with my 7 year old DD. She has a lot more screen time than usual on those days so its not optimal.

Pesk17 · 16/04/2025 14:29

6 year olds vary massively, as you'll be aware as a teacher. Mine is very well trained and as such would be fine with a sibling for company. Some 10 year olds would be less sensible. Totally depends on the child.

Roselilly36 · 16/04/2025 14:33

No, not on when you are meant to be working, young children will interrupt the working day.

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GameOfJones · 16/04/2025 14:40

Mine are a very similar age and we have done it occasionally if DH and I are both working from home for the day e.g. I work downstairs in the dining room for the morning and DH tucks himself away in the office and then we swap over in the afternoon.

In reality though it's not optimal. DDs end up with too much screen time if we're trying to avoid being disturbed due to meetings or we end up getting interrupted so the only times we've done it is for the odd inset day when holiday clubs aren't open. I think it would be too much for one parent trying to WFH plus look after primary school aged kids.

curious79 · 16/04/2025 14:51

I would have done that. I have done that - worked perfectly. Older kid wasn't a psycho, partner around enough, garden perfectly fenced

andtheworldrollson · 16/04/2025 14:54

At 6 it is questionable if it would be ok or not
certainly by 9 they should be able to amuse themselves assuming dad gets lunch break and 5 minutes most hours to stretch his legs and get a cup of tea

coxesorangepippin · 16/04/2025 15:36

Of course it's fine

Mine are 11 and 8 and do exactly that

converseandjeans · 16/04/2025 15:53

@BergamotMouse I think it would be better if you maybe took them out for couple of hours in the morning & then headed out - otherwise DH will need to work in the evening to catch up won’t he? But in theory you’re right in that back in the 70s my Mum didn’t really take us out or entertain us & we used to play out in the street with friends at that age.

Helpel · 16/04/2025 15:59

Mine are 8 and 9 and I have the odd day in the holidays where childcare isn't immediately available/easy. I WFH and have plenty of time throughout the day to leave my desk and check they're OK, feed them or set them up with an activity. Many people WFH are not chained to their desk 8-5.
They don't interrrupt me when I'm on calls and know that they will have to wait until i have a gap. We have our lunch together and go out for a walk if time permits. They spend more time on screens than when I have the day off or have proper childcare planned, but for the occasional day, it's fine (my manager knows when my kids are home and does the same thing herself!).

sunshineandshowers40 · 16/04/2025 16:04

6 is probably a bit young but if they are pretty chilled kids, maybe try for a day and see how they get on.

TheCountofMountingCrispBags · 16/04/2025 16:05

Oh yes, anyone wfh can dip in and out of work because that's what they are paid to do isn't it?
Recent thread about wfh being a cushy number with people taking the piss. Ther were nbu
What would you do if he wasn't wfh? How do you think working parents coped before?

BlueRaincoat1 · 16/04/2025 16:12

I have a 6 and 9 year old and have done this today. I wouldn't do it for more than 1 day over the Easter break. Me and DH both working from home. Every now and then I tell them to get off screens for a bit. They play nicely together and are pretty chilled out.

fiveIsNewOne · 16/04/2025 16:18

Try with half a day first? Your DH can start a bit earlier that day, you can cover them till lunch and take afternoon & evening for yourself. That way you can try it with minimal disruption and evaluate how it works for everyone.

Tiswa · 16/04/2025 16:22

I work freelance so around the kids in the holidays and it’s tough - it means I have to work well into the evenings to cover the hours I miss in the days because meals need covering sorting out various things.

Exactly how would you balance that? It is a tough ask on your DH to manage when he is working

Jellycatspyjamas · 16/04/2025 16:24

It would be fine in my job, I can dip in and out of the working day and catch up as needed. A more time pressured job would have been harder.

Sofiewoo · 16/04/2025 16:36

At 9 & 6 this sounds absolutely fine for most developmentally normal kids.
If your DH’s job is based on output rather than set hours then there’s no reason this isn’t possible. At that age kids don’t need to be watched and entertained every second.
My DH’s role is very set your own diary and as long as everything gets done by the project deadline when and how you do it is up to you so he will be picking out oldest up from school and having her at home in the evening.
A lot of the holidays she will be at clubs but the odd day here and there if she needs a quieter day she will be at home with him.

CrunchySnow · 16/04/2025 16:44

My DP does this with our 5yo occasionally.... its fine. Obviously not something you could do every day but i don't really see a problem with it if your husbands work is a bit flexible. We just set ours up with some toys, give him some craft stuff (in the same room as DP) and he can watch some TV... one day of this isn't going to harm anyone. If DP has had too many interruptions, he just works an extra hour when I get home

isolate34 · 16/04/2025 16:57

I think occasionally is fine at that age. However, depends if you can actually concentrate and be productive at work with kids around, with me even if mine is good as gold and even if I stick a 2 hour film on he won't move but I still can't be very productive with work and feel distracted also juggling caring for a child. For me when I've had to do it it's meant me working in the evening to catch up

Bunnycat101 · 16/04/2025 17:02

I think the odd day is fine when they’re knackered and it’s inter-dispersed with other things but I still find it quite hard if I’m honest. Mine are the same age as yours and the 9 year old is absolutely fine. The younger one less so. Your DH has to be on board as it’s his day that would be most impacted. Last time I did it, I had a massive rant when my husband got home saying I’d never do it again. Can’t remember why it was hard going. Ill kids are much easier to manage while working.

cadburyegg · 16/04/2025 17:03

I think if your dh’s work is very flexible then at that age it could work. Mine are 10 and 7 and I can easily wfh if one of them is off sick but I wouldn’t have them at home all day in the school holidays if I’m wfh. They’d bicker a lot and my work wouldn’t be happy. I’ve compromised before and sent them to holiday club just for the morning, this could be a possibility for you.

A friend of mine has kids the same age and she keeps them at home during the holidays and they are just on screens all day. I’m not willing to do this though.

CarpetKnees · 16/04/2025 17:04

It very much depends on the job. Plenty of jobs don't need the person to be in meetings all day, or answering calls. Plenty of jobs allow the person to 'get the work done' and aren't particularly bothered if occasionally the employee starts early or finishes late and takes a break in the afternoon or whatever.

To some extent it depends on the individual dc too, although I think you are being optimistic with the 6 yr old.

Would a few breaks of a couple of hours help ? I think that is more reasonable.

Or could you invite friends over one day and see if you can co-ordinate the dc going to different friends' houses on the same day so you could escape ?

Monvelo · 16/04/2025 17:05

I have a 10 year old and 7 almost 8 year old and they sometimes stay at home when I work, for an odd day. They don't like holiday clubs all the time and want to be at home. Sometimes I arrange for grandparents to take them out for an hour or two just to break up the day for them. But they're fine yep.

ApparentlySomeDo · 16/04/2025 17:06

Why can't you just arrange childcare? Is nothing available where you live? That would be the best option really.

Frozenpeace · 16/04/2025 17:07

Can't you take your days off at the weekend ? Or DH book some half days of leave?

I WFH full time but I don't think juggling working and childcare is fair on children or employers.

Shoecamp · 16/04/2025 18:28

Why can’t their dad take some holidays? Surely it’s not fair on you that you have the kids all your holidays from work but he gets to take his holidays when the kids are at school?