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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:
hissymissy · 08/03/2011 22:07

Sorry about that. Sad But you are in a minority. Many parents who take kids out of school don't do it for the reason you state, most do it because it is cheaper to go on holiday, and that is not a valid reason to take kids out of school. I have also noticed in my secondary school that many kids taken out for holidays are the ones who can least afford time off! They don't do any work while away and they come back even farther behind than before, with all the attendant problems with behaviour etc...

NonnoMum · 08/03/2011 22:10

I wouldn't lie to the school about your kids having exactly the same sickness for exactly the same five days and then coming back to school with a tan and a new Butlins T shirt...

albertcamus · 08/03/2011 22:12

altinkum - a few months ago, one of my 2 DTDs, in her second year of social work, said to me: 'My job is a lot harder than yours, Mum'. Of course my immediate reaction was: 'How dare you, you know how hard I've always worked!' ; but on reflection ... all things considered ... I think she's right. What posters are saying about not being available to your own children is a major issue for all non-teachers, and a major benefit for teacher/parents. That and, to be honest, the raw stress you have compared to our relief at the end of an exhausting hour ... when you can tell them 'See you next Monday'. Respect to you :)

altinkum · 08/03/2011 22:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

altinkum · 08/03/2011 22:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hissymissy · 08/03/2011 22:22

Sorry I don't agree that all those people you mention are totally unable to take time off ever in any school holiday. I have worked as a waitress, a care assistant and in shops etc...I also know nurses etc. Most bosses in the public sector try to be accomodating about people with families. If there is a culture of not allowing people to book holiday off with good notice then it is that which needs to be changed, not the schools' policies.

bibbitybobbityhat · 08/03/2011 22:40

Am astonished that some schools "allow 10 days" at the heads discretion. That's enough time to have a wonderful two week holiday.

Our school allows 0 days.

oggybags · 08/03/2011 23:03

have you ever considered a house swap? did it as kids with mum & dad through company called intervac, though there are others too, its was fab
we had a weekend in london, they had one in 'the contry'

Spinkle · 09/03/2011 06:40

We have several families who regularly take 2 weeks off to take their kids to Florida. Same time every year.

What amuses me is that one mum in one of tha families is a TA. Yes, really.

And what happens to them?

The absence goes as unauthorised.

And that's it.

We also have several children who go on extended trips to other countries for months/term at a time.
All allowed.

Original poster
TotorosOcarina · 09/03/2011 09:00

I'm not sure anyone would want to come to my house og!

Didn't mean for this to turn into a debate over teachers hols and stuff, was just feeling fed up looking at the prices for holidays in holiday time.

I don't think we are gong to go this year, we can't really go in the next few weeks and I'm due a baby soon. The prices are too steep after that and I'll have new baby too.

Maybe we'll do a soggy october caravan holiday :)

OP posts:
NestaFiesta · 09/03/2011 09:50

None of this woule even be an issue if the travek companies were made to toe the line. A few years back the govt said they would do soemthing about it (probably just before an election). The travel companies crowed about "market forces" and nothing was ever really done.

I recently enquired about a one week, all inclusive, for a family of four in Majorca in August- TWO GRAND. Its just criminal.

However, the Sun holiday vouchers are great and we have had some good trips in the UK with them. However, the £9.50 tag is unrealistic as by the time you add service charge, linen hire, ents passes etc, its more like £200 for the week (which is still good these days).

Mamaz0n · 09/03/2011 09:53

thing is, the fine is £50 isn't it? so for most families it is still worth taking the holiday and paying the fine as it still working out cheaper than going during teh school holidays.

I saw a bit on the news recently where the travel expert said that rather than the companies whacking proces up during holidays, they actually sell at a loss during term time.

im not sure what the answer is. I think that if a holiday during term time is to be taken then it should not be for more than a week though. 1 week is usually easy enough for most children to catch up on. 2 is near impossible.

littlebylittle · 09/03/2011 10:31

I get frustrated by the lack of understanding for real financial need to take holidays in term time, but less sympathetic to several friends who couldn't afford the expensive holiday abroad that they want if they didn't go in term time. It's a bit of a non issue for us- we haven't got the dilemma because dp is a teacher! So in RL I keep well out of the debate. I never minded if people took holidays in term time as a class teacher. Just a boy rich when they asked for work to take with them. Always said no to giving work but would live to see a diary and evidence of reading- never saw either, which was no prob, but couldn't give a fortnight's work out. I did actually need to teach the work for it to be successful!!

littlebylittle · 09/03/2011 10:31

I get frustrated by the lack of understanding for real financial need to take holidays in term time, but less sympathetic to several friends who couldn't afford the expensive holiday abroad that they want if they didn't go in term time. It's a bit of a non issue for us- we haven't got the dilemma because dp is a teacher! So in RL I keep well out of the debate. I never minded if people took holidays in term time as a class teacher. Just a boy rich when they asked for work to take with them. Always said no to giving work but would live to see a diary and evidence of reading- never saw either, which was no prob, but couldn't give a fortnight's work out. I did actually need to teach the work for it to be successful!!

maxybrown · 09/03/2011 11:27

Haven't read all the thread, but toto I know what you mean! My DH is a teacher and we can barely afford a holiday - he saves up all year so we can go camping in the summer. We saved to buy decent camping equip though. But we went to a basic site- went to cornwall for 2 weeks and cost us £95! fab! Showers were free, no hook up, pitch where you like and I know I don;t live far from you so tbh, 2 weeks next to the sea in a farmers field= bliss to us! Just letting DS run free is ace.

But yes you need a car ideally! And obviously we can ONLY go at the most expensive time, even though DS is not school age yet - some camp sites we found were charging £40 a night for the 3 of us last summer Shock that was just us in a tent! But we like quiet basic sites and long beach walks/playing

BaggedandTagged · 09/03/2011 11:33

"I saw a bit on the news recently where the travel expert said that rather than the companies whacking proces up during holidays, they actually sell at a loss during term time."

That's largely true. Providing holiday accommodation is a high fixed cost business (as opposed to high variable cost). Travel companies have to take accommodation for most, if not all of the year, and those costs are fixed- they cant just choose to take the peak weeks.

They then use demand to price every week of the year. In low demand weeks, they will probably have quite a high vacancy rate and will sell at a loss (but any money is better than no money as it's still a contribution to fixed costs). They then make their profits during peak times.

majormayhem · 09/03/2011 13:30

I don't think it's acceptable to take your children out of school for anything other than exceptional circumstances (funeral, hospital appointment, etc.)
Because that's just the way I was raised--Unless you're sick (and I mean really sick) you go to school. I don't understand this expectation of a holiday each year. Must be a UK thing?

The nice thing is that because I don't expect it, I never miss it.

However, I do object to the holiday "industry" taking advantage of perfectly reasonable Ofsted regulations to jack up the cost of holidays. That's what I would be seeking to combat.

nellyhawks · 09/03/2011 13:45

Sod the head teacher. Just say they're sick. It's more important to have quality time together as a family for a few days a year. They'll learn different things from the experience than if they stayed in school. Kids still young. Why should you go without time as a family just so school can meet attendance targets, as you say it's not as if they're frequent absentees. (Ex teacher who now takes term time hols)Smile

NonnoMum · 09/03/2011 19:55

Take it if you want to, but just expect it to go as unauthorised absence.

What is far worse, IMO, is the LYING. That could put your kids in an awful situation if every single one of their friends/every dinner lady/ every Welfare Officer says to them something like, "Poor you - you've been ill for a whole week? Are you feeling better now? Come and have a sit down in the medical room if you are still feeling ill etc"... as your kids try not to show their tide marks as they change for PE! Grin

You didn't answer - what is your job? Does your employer mind you taking time off in term time?

nailak · 09/03/2011 19:58

my niece went to pakistan for holiday, and she got kicked out of school, she was 5 or 6.

motheroftwoboys · 09/03/2011 20:01

I work in a school, though not a teacher, and because of my job can only take holidays in August. Now that is limiting!!

Original poster
TotorosOcarina · 09/03/2011 20:04

Last time we went the week before a holiday so if he did say he'd been away then it could have been during holiday time.

I'm a SAHM nonno.

I'm looking at booking somewhere in autumn holidays that way we can pay a deposit and pay it off over the year.

OP posts:
PrincessScrumpy · 09/03/2011 20:06

My parents had the same problem when my brother and I were young so we had hols every other year - it's called responsible parenting. To me it's not about the lessons your kids will miss, but it's about showing your kids how important you think school is.

I can understand a couple of days either side of hols, but actually the last days of school before the long summer holiday are usually really important for friendships etc.

I really object to Year 11 parents asking for holiday time - their kids are about to take really important exams and need to be in school.

JoInScotland · 09/03/2011 20:14

KidderminsterKate

We are planning to go down to Cornwall or thereabouts this summer. Could you share the details of the log cabin with me please?

noblegiraffe · 09/03/2011 20:37

People who say 'just lie and phone in sick' - teachers at the school will know. 'Gosh, Johnny's still ill?' 'No, he's in Majorca with his mum'.

Kids always blab.

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