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 ?

Lemonsaretheonlyfruit yes, I am currently providing childcare for a friend over the six weeks as one of those events occurred for her recently. One of them has also occurred for us. I know it is a headache.
Children still need a break from school.

Holidays are far too long. It costs a fortune in childcare, and I'm beyond exhausted by working night shifts and then cracking on with looking after the kids on no sleep.

My kids are bored and looking forward to going back to school.

I imagine it's different if you're a SAHM or have loads of money.

I think more holiday clubs should be available
I agree with this, because there is still somewhat of a routine that children thrive on but they still have a break from lessons. I used to love holiday club as a child.

Yabu teachers have work to do!

Childcare is easier to organise with one long break compared to more frequent short ones.

I have relatives in the States and they have long summer holiday. Mid-June to end August/early September. The DCs go to a summer camp with similar hours to school so it doesn't disrupt the parents' working schedule.

During the school year they have 2 weeks at Christmas, 1 week for spring break, and a handful of days off here and there because there are a lot of public holidays in the US. So they don't have to find extra childcare for half-terms or several weeks at Easter.

The holidays are longer than 99% of people get in leave from work. The two need to be more in synch

Soydora

If you are doing that for your friend as her circumstances have changed then your post is even more odd. It's happened to somebody close to you, isn't that proof that it can happen to anyone?! Very strange comment to make.

Oh and I wasn't disagreeing with 6 weeks, I agree even though it has been tricky to organise. It was your post I didn't agree with.

Yes please, I'd have the extra two weeks tagged on to May half term and October half term so they have a fortnight then instead

YABU

Our schools have cut the summer holiday right down - we have an extra week added to the February and October half terms

It’s crap. The weather is shit, nothing is open. The annual argument at work over time off in the school holidays is even worse as there’s less time than usual

I think 6 weeks was just about right

I’d like them longer too. We can never fit everything in. I also like to do a few workbooks over the summer to concentrate on things they’re struggling with at school and i’d Like a couple of extra weeks for that.
I think all of July and August (as per most of the continent) would be best.

In Spain they have 8 weeks!

I'm a TA and single mother and six weeks is definitely not enough.

The long summer holiday harks back to the time when children couldn't attend school because they were needed to help work on the land. It's no longer necessary or appropriate, imo.

Surely a better system would be to divide the breaks more evenly through the year? Why not make school terms like this:

Autumn term = 14 weeks, beginning mid August and ending early December, with a 2-week break in the middle (so, 2 halves to the term, each 6 weeks long).
Christmas holidays: 4 weeks, from approx 7th December to 4th January. Winter term: 12 weeks, beginning approx 5th January and ending approx 29th March, with a 2-week break in the middle.
Spring Holiday: 4 weeks from approx 30th March to 27th April.
Summer term: 11 weeks, beginning approx 28th April and ending approx 14th July, with a 1-week break in the middle.
Summer holiday: 4 weeks, from mid July to mid August.

That would give parents more opportunity to take holidays at different times of the year and would give pupils and teachers some decent breaks.

80s mum
Are you a teacher? Have you tried to teach a 14 week term? We had an 8 week term in autumn last year and it slayed me. The kids were exhausted the teachers we exhausted.
If you are a teacher then hats off to you, you are super woman. I couldn't do it.

My issue isn't the length of the school holidays as such it's the unavailability of holiday childcare for 4 year olds (Reception year) and also provision that starts earlier than 8:30am or runs later than 5:30pm without costing upwards of £25/day. Our school breakfast club runs from 7:30am and after school until 5:45pm.

So on holiday childcare costs, I'd prefer shorter holidays but the kids do enjoy being off school and we like the time to relax as a family.

Ignore that, didn't read it properly. I thought you were suggesting a 14 week straight!! I need to read properly

80smum sorry I didn't read it properly. I would actually find that plan OK.

So on holiday childcare costs, I'd prefer shorter holidays but the kids do enjoy being off school and we like the time to relax as a family.

So when you say you'd prefer shorter holidays, you mean fewer days off in total? As opposed to rearranging them?

But not everyone who complains about the holidays has had a change in circumstances Lemonsaretheonlyfruit.
I have a family member who complains every year about the cost of childcare yet refuses to take annual leave at different times to her DH to cover more of the holidays because she says she’d ‘go mad’ looking after them on her own for 2 weeks (and apparently he doesn’t fancy it either).
Now I’m obviously not saying that everyone is like her before I get lambasted for that. I know it’s a headache. That’s why I can do what I can to help and why I am currently arranging my childcare for next summer.

When mine were little and I worked really part time I’d have loved them to be longer.

No I’m full time, and they stay at home and do their own thing, I think they’re about right.

I don't think my bank balance would survive if they were any longer!! Holiday childcare can be incredibly expensive on top of days out and actual holiday.
*disclaimer I'm afraid I'm not a typical MN who financially saved and planned to the nearest pound all my childs uniform , school trips and childcare until the age of 18 before TTC

It's the money, time off work for many and the dip in learning. We have lovely family time, but by my child is an only at the moment, I think it's lonely to have so much time without friends. We do see others, but it can be complicated with friends sibling age ranges. So usually involves going out somewhere expensive and busy with bigger children. My child is very easily overwhelmed.

People who want longer holidays do you not work? I'm a SAHM myself, but I cannot get anything done. My house is a tip. I'm running out of ideas.

Are there any summer clubs near you?

I think the 6 weeks is too long.
If they want to keep it at 6 weeks then I think they need to move the 6 weeks forward. When it's red hot all the kids are stuck in school.
Another week after Xmas and either Easter or may bank holiday need a few more days.
I also wonder what happened to holiday clubs that used to happen in a primary school over the summer that used to cost £1 a day and we run by volunteers.
All holiday clubs now want £75 ish for a week.
But now it's all paid positions.
Use the school while it's there sitting empty for 6 weeks even if they just opened up the playground and field so kids could meet with their friends and have a run around. Sorry I know I've gone off topic but I need to keep my dc doing something.

Disagree. DD's first day off was July 29th, and we've only got 2 weeks left. It has absolutely flown by, and it is far too soon to go back. Too short!