To waste a weeks worth of leave just to spend time with dh kid free?

[NapQueen]

Dh is a ta. Dates for his schools summer holidays mean they will be off for seven weeks. I work ft and usually take one full week in the summer plus odd days here and there throughout.

His leave means he will go back to work a week after our kids go back to school (Reception and Y2 respectively). Aibu to "waste" an extra weeks leave by matching this week?

We could do school runs (which neither of us get to do), go out for lunches, walks, take naps, spend an afternoon in a pub, get some diy done. 7 hours a day (kids insist on going to breakfast club as they love it) together!

Is it selfish when I could take a week elsewhere in the year?

I think I'd rather take 2 weeks in the summer holidays to spend time as a family tbh. or at least 1.5 weeks? But up to you to split it how you want.
What about DH? Would he like some time to himself in the school holidays?

I think it's a lovely idea! Family time is important but so is time with your dh and this sounds like a lovely opportunity for you to get some time alone which you probably rarely get!

Dh does get some time. I am taking two days off this half term which will be for dh to go and do what he pleases for both. We will have both weekends plus the bank holiday for time all together then he will do tues and weds with dc and I will do thur and fri.

DH occasionally takes time off when the kids are in school. With the cost and avaliability of babysitters, we rarely get nights out together. The DCs get loads of time with varying combinations of us, and what gets left out in life is us as a couple. And we are important. We chose to make vows about spending our lives together and getting some chances to focus on being a couple and not being mummy/ daddy and distracted by family and friends is actually essential relationship maintainence.

Do it. It's good to take time out for yourself and for your marriage.

i think if you can do this then its definitely not a waste. Its really important to get couple time imo

Do it! It's so nice to have that adult time together.

@chav it's not 'some bloke' it's her husband, father of her children. Sometimes it's important to prioritise your relationship

DH and I do this though usually just for a couple of days. What adventures can we do in 7 hrs? Kew/ Cotswolds/London or just brunch somewhere local. Really helps strengthen our marriage

Sounds like a dream. Go for it. I was moaning that I basically work in term time then when kids are off in the school
hold I'm entertaining/looking after them. I would love a week where I was at home to get stuff done but with no kids there!

School hols

Why would it be a waste. It’s using your holiday to do something you want to do.
I took a days leave last week just to have a day at home without DD and DH. It was wonderful.

Seriously go for it. I would kill for that time. If the whole week is too much time off and that's why you're two, take 3 days instead. Make sure to spend at least one day doing something you both enjoy, not just DIY etc.

Why you're two? Why you're reluctant. No idea where two came from.

Sounds like a lovely lovely idea. Great for marriage and also for your children to. To see a strong, happy partnership that shows where priorities are in life.

Fair enough I just think that if I were the main carer over the long holidays and my husband took a week and the odd day, then wanted a week with me alone once the kids were back at school, I'd be annoyed. But clearly in the minority.

Do it. See it as an investment in your relationship and self care :-)

It's important that you maintain your relationship with your husband. One day your children will leave home and you will need to know the person you are still sharing the house with! You will have afternoons after school to spend with your children, hearing about what they've done, going for walks, spending time with them that you'd normally be at work. And you'll have a few hours each day with your husband to watch movies, have lunch out, see things that aren't so child friendly.

It's not a waste - I do it for a week every year so that DH and I get some couple time as well as family time. It hasn't taken any time away from my children (school holiday leave where I work is strictly rationed - I get one week per 2 week holiday and 2 weeks over the long summer holiday, which leaves me a week spare to take in term time). DH loves it as he gets to spend time with me without the boys around, I love it as I get to be a part of the school stuff for a week, the boys benefit from the fact that it's good for our relationship, which is the core that holds the family together.

In our week, we drop the boys at school together and then head off for the day. We've been kayaking and had a picnic on the beach, to see daytime movies, out for lunch in cafes and restaurants the boys wouldn't enjoy, spent time at home sorting things out that are easier for the two of us without boys wanting to help, and had lots of daytime sex. Go for it :-)

I wouldn’t do it for a full week but I’d take 3 days, just long enough to not get bored and sick of the sight of each other!

Of that age kids summers can be hard work especially if weather bad! agree with the poster who said if I was her dh who had kids for 5/6 weeks hols I'd b annoyed if she then wanted to use a precious week of hols first week they back in school!! Id take a day or two n use other 3 during summer for few long weekends.

If exh and I had done this type of thin- nurtured our relationship, we would not have split up. I truly believe that.

Make time for each other. You are the foundations your family is built on, don't neglect your relationship. Enjoy each others company! Have a fab week x

We can afford childcare in the holidays if dh didnt want to be the main parent for that time - he is welcome to find holiday work instead and we can then split care between me him and our usual (termtime) childminder. He chooses to be off with the kids instead.