with this back to work request?

No, not unreasonable to ask. They may or may not accept - and if not they'll have to justify why it won't be workable. If you've covered previous Christmases then it seems a fair request.

I don't think it's wrong to ask, but I think you have to be prepared for disappointment on this one. I'm sure there are other working parents among your colleagues and Christmas is a time when many people want to have off work, regardless of whether they have children.

Why not ask for it as an early request this year on the understanding that you'll take it turns from this year onwards.

I don't think you are a fool to ask (it can't do any harm) - but I think you need to prepare yourself to be turned down (and therefore think what your contingency plans are - alternative childminder? Expensive emergency nanny?).

If I got this request as a manager: I would need to consult with the department before granting it, so you need to be prepared for the company/bosses to say no. If it's this Christmas, your colleagues may have already booked it off?

I would ask as nothing ventured nothing gained, my employer has family friendly working and will try and meet requests especially in service days for schooling etc but annual leave isn't so great mainly as other employees also have family and the summer holiday is worked on a rota for fairness

You can ask, but tbh if I was childfree and found out I had to work at Christmas simply at the expense of someone who had kids, I'd be pretty peeved tbh.

There's nothing wrong with asking but I would be prepared to be told no.

Where I work, nobody is allowed annual leave between December 1st - January 15th. It's our busiest time of year, and they can't afford to be short-staffed due to people taking the piss taking all their holiday at the last minute.

However, I accept not all workplaces ban annual leave. But as an employer, I wouldn't be impressed if someone came off maternity and then told me they couldn't work over Christmas. So I think you need to get a back-up plan in place. Lots of nurseries are open over Christmas (except the Bank holidays).

I'm with 19lottie82

I am childfree. I've taken one Christmas Eve off in 12 years and this year I'm only taking the statutory days as usual. However if I'd wanted to request more leave than that I wouldn't expect to be refused simply because a parent had been given priority.

Maybe if this is a problem you need to consider making a term time working only request. Your employer may not grant the request, but may be more likely to consider it if they were saving on the wage bill/able to employ cover? Your colleagues may be less resentful as well.

If that's not an option I thin you need to consider alternative childcare.

Unpaid parental leave?

Yanbu to ask. Ywbu to expect it to be granted.

To be really honest if I worked with you and it was granted I would formally complain. Probably sounds harsh but I think it's very unfair on the rest of your team.

Also as pp says have you actually tried to book christmas off. When I worked, christmas was all sorted by now.

For your first year back maybe it would be reasonable especially if you have covered more than your fair share of Xmas hols before. After that, YABU and I say that as a parent of 2 DC. I have worked with people who have elderly parents or family in another city or abroad who have an equally good argument for wanting Xmas off. Before I had children I didn't appreciate having to work until 3pm on Xmas Eve then pile on to an overcrowded train and stand for over 2 hours to get to my parents for Xmas because it was assumed I could work Christmas.

Are you going to be asking for two full weeks off at Christmas? In a small team? I very much doubt you'll get that.

Is it for this Christmas? Most people I know have already put their leave requests in for additional leave over the Christmas period. You can't bump someone else's leave now, well you might be able to but it would open your employer up to a lot of grievances. You can ask but I wouldn't be hanging my hopes on it. I hope you can get something sorted.

I wouldn't ask. You will be getting everyone's backs up. I'm surprised your childminders has the whole of christmas off. Mine was great and would even do bank hols for double time. Have you already signed with childminder or could you ask on facebook if anyone knows a childminder with spaces even for those christmas weeks. Also, if it is a two week problem period,I'm would be giving one of those weeks to your ex to sort out.

It can't hurt to ask but can understand it not being granted. Christmas is special time for many and lots of people visit family and have equal right to time off, so it would depend on your employer and your team. You may find yourself resented by the team.

I worked in a work place where school holiday priority was given to parents for time off, as I wasn't a parent I wasn't given that priority. I had to raise a grievance against this unwritten policy as my partner is a teacher - so though it appeared I could take time off whenever and go away in reality I couldn't unless I never went with my OH. So what I'm saying is that it may seem reasonable that due to child care issues you get first priority but you don't know what other responsibilities have people have which may need to be taken in to consideration as well.

I don't think it's unreasonable and I say that as a child free person.Is two weeks holiday usual at Christmas where you work? Could you be at all flexible with any other arrangement, partner or family? As some other member of your deptartment may want new year. Parental leave is also available for things like childcare but it has to be agreed by your boss and done in advance though it would leave your holiday free to cover for the unexpected days you may need.

YABU. Everyone is entitled to their share of Christmases off, children or no children and whatever other life circumstances they have.

I'm sure your colleagues will be thrilled. You have to be prepared to take it in turns.

I never blame people for asking for what they want.

I blame employers for saying yes to the ridiculous requests.

There's no way of knowing whether your request if a reasonable one without knowing your workplace and colleagues.

I'd also complain if someone was guaranteed Christmas leave over someone else purely because they had childcare issues.

YABU and precious

Sorry OP I think it would be v unfair to do this. I am about to sort out Christmas leave for my team and will consider all requests equally, regardless of whether people have children. It's simply not fair otherwise. Having two children myself, I will practise what I preach and do my fair share as well, even though I would rather be home with DDs. I really don't think giving you guaranteed leave would be fair. I would expect your employer to request and consider all requests in the same light. Having said this, I hope you get the leave you need.

I think you can certainly ask for leave over the Christmas period but you really should not expect that it automatically be granted to you just because you have children. I realise childcare is difficult and expensive and I have every sympathy for what is a tricky situation but your annual leave must not automatically be granted with the expectation that other childfree colleagues cover for you.