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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think its unfair that its 'term time' holidays or no holidays for alot of familes?

153 replies

TotorosOcarina · 08/03/2011 14:08

So they can either run the risk of getting a fine and a bollocking or them, and their kids get no holiday at all?

I'm talking about myself here Grin

We don't do holidays abroad, we don't even do nice cottage holidays.

The last few years we have gone to Haven for 4 nights ina caravan. And the kids bloody love it.

2 years ago we just had DS1 in nursery so went in term time.

Last year we only had DS in school, in reception, so he had 5 days off 'sick' and we went in term time.

This year we have 2 kids in school and I don't think we can risk taking them both out.

If we went in a few weeks time, term time, it would be £99 for 4 nights in a 'superior' caravan.

If we go in either the easter holidays or anytime from june onwards its nearer to £500.

I just think its unfair.

I'm not sure WHO i am saying is being unfair. The schools for having a blanket policy on no holidays (my kids never have time off, i can see them not allowing families who continually have time off for their kids) or the holiday companies who increase the prices 5 fold when school closes.

I just feel sad.

My kids don't really do much. We live in Manchester, have no car, don't have spare money very often and when we do its £1 cinema and a 2 for 1 pub lunch that we go for.

These little holidays really are the highlight of the year for them and I don't think we can do it this year.

OP posts:
altinkum · 08/03/2011 16:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Desperateforthinnerthighs · 08/03/2011 16:36

Well said Altinkum!!! DS often comes home telling me what film he has watched....but yes, am sure the teacher got loads of marking done on those afternoons.

BumsOnSeats · 08/03/2011 16:54

Am I the only one who has no problem with a teacher taking a week's holiday in term time?

tyler80 · 08/03/2011 17:16

If it was a choice between holiday and no holiday I'd take them out of school irrespective of what the school said.

I don't even care if the holiday isn't 'educational', having a fun time away from home with your parents is valuable too.

Joolyjoolyjoo · 08/03/2011 17:25

YANBU- Maybe if they dropped all the inconvenient holiday days they seem to have at school (bank holidays, in-service days, long weekends), which cause a right headache for working parents, they wouldn't miss having those 10-14 days a year off to have a decent holiday. Just a thought.

albertcamus · 08/03/2011 18:07

YANBU OP I was very lucky that when my 3 DC were 7 - 13 I worked in Further Education, meaning I finished two weeks before normal school end of Summer Term. We made the most of this and went on some amazing holidays (taking them out of school during Key Stage 3 / Year 5 last two weeks of term). They definitely benefited from visiting Thailand, Singapore, USA, Egypt, Israel, Cyprus & Goa, infinitely more than the waste of time which is the hot, pointless slog of the last two weeks of term (and I speak as a current school teacher!). We do our best at my School at this time, activity days, visiting speakers etc., but being stuck in a classroom at 30 degrees + at that time of year makes effective teaching & learning very difficult, in the context of the rest of school being post-exam too. I hate the way the travel industry get away with the sudden price hike as soon as it's Half Term or the school holidays. I would be in favour of a longer school day and a finish for the summer holidays in mid-June, as per France & Spain, where the weather forces the situation.

albertcamus · 08/03/2011 18:10

altinkum - I don't like the sound of this Golden Friday nonsense - we would not get away with that in secondary : there are lessons to be taught, marking is completed in PPA hours and after school. No wonder parents of primary DC get fed up now (I don't remember my DC talking about this 15 years ago !) :(

ilovesooty · 08/03/2011 19:15

Maybe if they dropped all the inconvenient holiday days they seem to have at school (bank holidays, in-service days, long weekends), which cause a right headache for working parents

The last time I noticed teachers were only one of many professions who have BH off. And where do these "long weekends" come from? I don't know how many times it has to be stated before people get it: the 5 inservice days were taken from teachers' holidays - children have the same number of days in school as they always did.

And I believe that during school term time pupils should be in school. If everyone took their children out all over the place the disruption to learning would cause no end of problems.

Panzee · 08/03/2011 19:19

When I were a lass I didn't go on holiday. I don't think it's affected me too much. Perhaps "no holiday" is ok?

practicallyimperfect · 08/03/2011 19:31

Sorry op, bad day lots of teacher bashing.

FWIW I never show videos, even on last day of term. When loads of kids take holidays it make my job much harder, they see it as my responsibility to give up lunch and after school to catch up kids with what they have missed.

pointydog · 08/03/2011 19:31

I don't believe for a minute that for the whole of Friday some schools show videos all day so the teachers can mark.

NinkyNonker · 08/03/2011 19:43

If they do I can see a sudden upturn in job applications...

psiloveyou · 08/03/2011 19:46

Haven't read the whole thread.

£500 seems steep. We are doing 4 nights at Haven during the easter holidays in a deluxe caravan for £319. There are 7 of us.

altinkum · 08/03/2011 19:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pointydog · 08/03/2011 19:54

I've googled it. Can't find anything about it, only about very odd golden friday things.

I've heard of golden time which is 30 minutes a week.

altinkum · 08/03/2011 20:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PigValentine · 08/03/2011 20:04

YANBU. We are doing Haven in the Ester holidays - it would have been £600 but we booked last year and got a discount, so £320 - we've been paying it off every month. We're going abroad in October and I am taking DS1 out of school. At his school, it is compulsory for any parent requesting term time holiday to have an interview with the headmaster who explains why it will not be authorised. This is when DH's legendary tactlessness will finally be useful - he will be present at this interview Grin

Spinkle · 08/03/2011 20:05

Try being a teacher then. We haven't been able to afford a holiday in years cos we cannot afford school holiday prices

pointydog · 08/03/2011 20:05

Golden Time. Yes, I know all about it. It's meant to be 30 minutes. I'd be surprised if any school could get away with all afternoon.

altinkum · 08/03/2011 20:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

positivesteps · 08/03/2011 20:09

They have to set some rules in school or like another poster said parents will be taking kids out willy nilly to go on holiday. Your kids will go on school trips so they do get good times. I think its better to teach then work comes before fun. You can't always have fun. Holiday time when school sets them is for fun and relaxing.

Also why can't you go camping for a weekend? If you can't afford term time holidays?

and maybe learn to drive ? Especially with a fourth child on the way.

Lilyloo · 08/03/2011 20:20

I agree about camping being the way to go. We got into camping a couple of years ago and it does mean you can have a few breaks for under fifty quid for a family.
I appreciate what your saying though term time prices suck.
I also cannot take holidays out of term time as i work at school nursery on min wage so not even on great salary to suck up the expense.
Def worth checking out the sun hols though if you do Haven.

Joolyjoolyjoo · 08/03/2011 20:23

I'm not having a go at teachers. But my kids will be at school for exactly 8 days in the whole month of April (and one of those will be an early finish), whereas, were I f/t at my work, I would have 1 bank holiday (Easter Monday). I don't demand that the school take the children when it is inconvenient for me (ie when they have decided to have holidays), but it seems a bit unfair that if I do manage to get time off (often not possible in the schoool holidays in both mine and DH's jobs) we can't choose to spend it with our children.

Rowgtfc72 · 08/03/2011 20:24

Weve just been told we can take our four yr old on holiday in term time.If she was of compulsory school age we wouldnt be allowed as her attendance is only 90%.She was perfectly healthy before she started nursery and now catches everything.The deputy head suggests we take her in when she is ill to get her attendance mark and then they can ring us to fetch her home.At the end of the day my kid is bright , not struggling , socialised and will get loads from a holiday with extended family.Im a first time older (39) mum and astonished and pissed off at the amount of "official" people who seem to know best whats good for my daughter.

rookiemater · 08/03/2011 20:27

I'm undecided on this one. I do believe education should take precedence over holidays, but then I'm in the lucky situation where we can afford to go away in the school holidays ( however I do always source the best deals by booking far in advance and doing flights and hotel separately)

One thing I'd recommend for a free ( apart from transport ) holiday is houseswapping. We are members of the NCT houseswap and in school holiday time have been to London and a couple of other destinations. We had a brilliant time and DS loved it because there were childrens toys there, loads more space to relax and sprawl about than any other type of holiday.

You may think that your house or location might not appeal to people, but other families are looking to be close to friends or relatives or may have a particular reason to visit your area.

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