To hate the fact that the last day of term this Christmas is the 21st December?

[badtasteflump]

I think it's shit.

I take the whole of the Christmas holidays off work to be with the DC. We usually get a few days (or a week some years) before Christmas when they're all excited and we can go out Christmas shopping and have some days at home baking and making decorations and stuff.

This year there's the weekend and then it's straight into Christmas Eve. Then two weeks more of holidays after the excitement and best bit is over. That's crap

YABU I think it's great! Keeps them out of the way so you can get on with things.I hate the years when they break up early and go back early!

I don't understand why the OP is getting a wee bit of flack for having a little whinge. If anything she is being grateful for what she has, she wants to spend more time with her children in a way that is traditional to her family. The days running up to Christmas with her DC are special to her and she is NBU to want to enjoy them fully.

This is only my second Christmas without my Dad, we thought we'd be celebrating with a new baby. We're not. DP has to work too. It's going to be hard. So whoopy fuck on us. Doesn't mean the OP isn't entitled to be a little sad that her Christmas isn't how she planned.

YANBU Flump.

It is the same after Christmas!

There is more time for getting about to see family - which when you have more than the standard number of grandparents is helpful.
Lovely peaceful days at home with the fire lit and the Christmas tree and quiet children playing with all their new toys.

DS1 is in Reception, and I'm so excited for him that they have got lovely things going on at school right up until the last day when they finish early. Means I can get organised with only one child under my feet!

Cortana x-posts, I'm sorry for your losses.

When I was in school we would split up on the 23rd :( 21st seems like a nice amount of time for shopping etc

YABU it's perfect for me :) I should be finishing uni on the same day as DCs finish school but our lecturers have taken pity on us and rearranged lectures so I have 2 child free days just before they finish. I get everything done that hasn't been already sorted and they have a short wait before Christmas arrives.

i'm with the OP on this one. I usually have a weekday to make gingerbread house, another to do decorations and another to do cake and another to do family visiting. and 2 weeks after is too much

YANBU, I prefer an early break up to get them away from the germy school environment as early as possible. No-one wants a vomiting bug near to Xmas.

Thank you Ali. I agree with your point about DC having loads of lovely things to do up until Christmas by being at school. There are pro's and cons to breaking up early and late.

You can't suit everyone unfortunately.

YABU.

You've had your years of tons of time off before the 25th, now it's the turn of those of us who prefer the extra time after New Year's Day instead, so there's time to relax before returning to work and school and the kids have time to enjoy their presents. You turn will come again soon, so let us lot enjoy this for the couple of years it lasts.

DS is also happy about the later break up as his birthday actually falls on a school day and he's really excited about being able to take in a birthday cake for his class. He's had to wait until Y4 for this! His birthday was in term-time in YR, but it fell on the last day of term and everything was so busy he didn't even get 'Happy Birthday' sung to him (although he didn't mention that until a few months' later).

Yabu. Last year they were home ages before Christmas. Getting bored and under foot when I was frantically rushing about. Then not as much time afterwards to just relax and catch up with friends. Plus they'll still be off on my birthday this time which I'll love.

Out of interest why have they made it later this year? Anyone know?

YABVVU - what about the people who work in retail/food or essential services, who will be working Xmas eve, Xmas day/boxing day etc.? They have families too you know.
What bloody difference does it make what day the kids break up?
DH is extremely lucky this year, he is off from the 20th - 27th, I'll be working xmas eve, off for two days then back in.
Some people don't live in the real world, most people can't have time off before Christmas.

Gawd my DD's primary school had Christmas dress up last week, Christmas disco tomorrow. Christmas Fair next weekend and still have a month of school to do.

I wish they wouldn't wind them up so early.

To cap it off this is the first time she has ever had to be at school on her actual birthday and we had a lovely family tradition which won't be possible by the time she gets out of school :( Boo!

I remember breaking up on the 21st quite regularly when I was in sec. school in the 70's. It was always between 18th and 21st.

I don't remember it being much of an issue for anyone other than me, I always used to get a holiday job in a shop in the week before Xmas to pay for the pressies I would buy my DM&D + DS

Yep, it seems to be a modern phenomena, this finishing school really early for xmas

My birthday is the 21st and I was only ever at school once on my birthday.