To think the school holidays should just be August ?

[yellowbeard]

It's too long. I think a break in routine does kids good, but it's too much all at once. I think in Italy August is considered Holiday month ( not sure about the school holiday length ) but I know a lot of businesses close down for August there. Aibu ?

Too short, think it should be July and August. Most of Europe have June, July and August off.

Far too long. Kids/teachers were already "on a break" the month before the school holidays as they barely do any proper work from mid June onwards (at my sons' school anyway as the teachers are de-mob happy).

I think 6 weeks is the absolute minimum the kids and teachers need.

I get the impression that although teachers aren’t timetabled for 6 weeks the vast majority of them are working for at least 2 weeks of that.
Teachers are leaving the profession in droves and not enough people are training to replace them, I think to cut the summer break would be the last straw for a huge number of them

About right as it is. Time to bed in, really enjoy a few weeks then start to get a bit bored and look forward to going back.

Our youngest has been home since he finished exams mid-June, goes back on 2nd September. About 11 weeks I think. Thought it would drag but it’s gone in a flash.

I like our setup here in southern Australia. We do six weeks off over summer- mid December to end of January. It makes the Christmas period really laid back and fun.

Then there is a two week break in April (end of first term), two weeks in July (end of second term), two weeks end of September/start of October ( end of third term) then the start of the December break marks the end of fourth term.

Six weeks over summer is perfect. Chance to relax and then prepare for the coming year.

BadCop, I hear you. Not everybody is able to spend every day of the holidays, that's a privilege for a small minority. Posting on MN is a different world sometimes and it's a skewed sample as those parents who work are mostly at work now.

shithappens, if you're a teacher then I'm glad you're not teaching my children. How can you be so ignorant and then proud to display it on a parenting site? It does you no favours at all.

YABU. Most countries give 8 weeks! Kids (and teachers) need the break.

It’s awful teaching in stuffy classrooms in July as it is. Make it eight weeks - July and August - like Irish schools.

Not longer as my dd has been stuck full time in holiday club so far like many other working parents kids.

It's been a nightmare finding the money to pay for it

It’s awful teaching in stuffy classrooms in July as it is. Make it eight weeks - July and August - like Irish schools.
This. Kids hate it, too hot. Behaviour always starts to slip the last few weeks because they are tired and hot.

I think 6 weeks is about right but it should go from middle of June to end of July so we can enjoy some nice weather and not be scorching in classrooms in July when it always seems to be hottest.

Sorry to butt in but Fredflintstone thefirst, where on earth do you live.
I am a childminder living in the South of England, I do not charge anywhere near twenty quid an hour and certainly do not charge extra for special needs.
I'm not sure that is even legal. Surely it's discrimination?
Sorry if things r difficult. I have a small relative with severe additional needs so do know how challenging this can be for you.
Take care

The things is though, you know when you have children that they will have school holidays, and that children will need some form of alternative childcare for that period.
I know circumstances change etc, but the fact that school holidays exist is no secret.

6 weeks is ridiculous

There isn't enough annual leave to cover it, the children start to get out of the habit of being ready and on time for things.

3 weeks would be more than enough.

I thin k the polarised opinions on here are in part down to what you actually do in your holidays and if you work. I have had 2 weeks off with my DC and need to save the rest of my holidays at work for when they are off at half term and Christmas. Even 6 weeks if you work full time or close to (this isn't by choice in my situation as it isn't for many others) ) is difficult as it is costs fortunes in childcare and guilt as it is.

I don't think they should be shorter however, we muddle through big longer? No!

What I would say though (again it won't happen) is that from a weather perspective, summer can almost feel like it's other by the time they break up towards the end of July. I think the 6 weeks should start at the beginning of July. Anyone else?

I get the impression that although teachers aren’t timetabled for 6 weeks the vast majority of them are working for at least 2 weeks of that.
Also that, I've been in school a fair bit of the holidays. And I do work at home. We don't get 6 weeks off, we just don't have to teach for 6 weeks.

SoyDora, how smug you sound. You feign acknowledgement that 'circumstances change' but you don't really, haven't the wit to see that those changing circumstances can really, really mess up a family's arrangements.

I really hope that your circumstances remain as solid and conducive for you as they clearly currently are. Maybe have some empathy for those who are not so fortunate?

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe not smug at all. I am currently looking after a friends 5 year old for the vast majority of the holidays after her circumstances changed massively and unexpectedly. In fact I have done a lot of childcare this summer for people who need it. My own circumstances will be changing for next summer holidays. I just meant that school holidays exist, have existed for a very long time and children will always need care for them.

Far too long. Arranging childcare is a headache. Filling the time with activities becomes eye wateringly expensive. They need the routine and actually miss it and their friends and become bored. No need for such a long holiday all in one chunk
Whether that be here in the UK or any other country.

I think it’s about right. 5 would be ok too but the kids need the break. Maybe finishing a bit earlier instead and going back after bank holiday would be better as the last week or so of term is a nothing time (but would it be like that anyway even if it finished earlier?).

But school isn't a babysitting service or somewhere for them to go while you're at work.
Kids need a break, they need a rest from the constant information being thrown at them. School is stressful for them. Teachers need a break from the crazy hours we work to be able to effectively teach.

That would get too short for travel etc.

Soy Dora

What a sweeping and dare I say it smug statement that doesn't take into account any changes that might happen once you've had children. Grandparents who may have been good for childcare for a time become too old or die , people get made redundant and have unforeseen financial difficulties, marriages fall apart... all of these things have a huge impact on what was planned or 'supposed' to happen.

Ds has 5 weeks and that is about as long as both of us can cope with. At school he has 2:1 support and activities for his needs available. Out of school it is just me, there is nothing in the way of activities, even the ones put on for children with sn aren't for him and he is too severe for any respite care.

It does pose problems for working parents though. I think anyone reasonable can understand that. I think more holiday clubs should be available.