To be very worried how I’m going to work in the school holidays?

[Cherrymentos19]

Single parent
Returning to work
My children are at private schools - so great during term time as wonderful before and after school activities

However the holidays are outrageously long!

Easter break... 3.5 weeks

Summer holidays... 9 weeks!

Half terms are generally 2 weeks.

I have no support locally. The children’s father will not be on hand in any meaningful way, and absolutely no point pursuing that point - because zero chance of change. Zero.

So what do people do?!

I feel a bit for you Op as you've had some vitriol aimed at you here! I think you've had some great advice here in parts, essentially you just have to pay for childcare or juggle it somehow. It is hard no doubt. I bet you are wishing you kept the private school info to yourself. Good luck

Are the summer camps not running this year? There are usually loads offering all sorts of activities and some nurseries offer holiday childcare (my daughters does up to age 11).

Unless all these options are not available, why is this only a consideration now?

I bet you are wishing you kept the private school info to yourself.

I think most people would expect someone successful enough to be in a position to send their child to private school to have enough gumption to work out that children need care during the even longer holidays and consider that before they send their child.

@Cam2020 my understanding is that both are on bursaries and she is now looking for ideas/using mumsnet as a source of info for what her options are. It doesnt seem a case of her pulling her kids out because she can't afford it, its just asking others what they do and how they manage.

Reading between the OPS own posts the lines @cam2000 the children are at school on (army?) bursaries, OP was a SAHM until recently but has had to return to work due to a change in her/her ex husbands circumstances.

Ex husband is not available probably for the same reason the children are on bursaries.

@pastabest

Reading between the OPS own posts the lines *@cam2000* the children are at school on (army?) bursaries, OP was a SAHM until recently but has had to return to work due to a change in her/her ex husbands circumstances.

Ex husband is not available probably for the same reason the children are on bursaries.

You need to read the OP’s posts.

The children’s dad is unwell and in another country so can’t help out, but in the OP it was written as if he wasn’t helping because he was useless. OP subsequently cleared up that misunderstanding but it was quite a drip-feed.

The children’s dad is unwell and in another country so can’t help out, but in the OP it was written as if he wasn’t helping because he was useless. OP subsequently cleared up that misunderstanding but it was quite a drip-feed.

Incorrect
The op says she is not willing to share
But says she dislikes the assumption that it’s because her ex is useless and says it could be for any number of reasons and then lists possible ones

I use a mixture of clubs at my DD’s gymnastics, days here and there with a childminder, I book some time off. We also usually arrange sleepovers with friends (obviously not at the moment!) my dd will usually go to her friends a night and a day one week then I have her friend over the next week and book that day off and get them out. Means my holiday goes further. I get a break and so does the mum of DD’s friend. Other than that we stay home while I work and DD will play, read, FaceTime friends and occupy herself. I also make use of my lunch breaks and get the dog and DD out for some air, I don’t feel so bad then if she spends the afternoon indoors because I know she has been out. I use breakfast and after school club during term time, I budget each month for the maximum it will cost me, obviously some months it’s less due to bank holidays and the way terms fall I save the surplus and use this to help top up paying for childcare and things in the summer holidays etc.

Following with interest. Some really good suggestions.

Some posters seem to be airing their resentment about the difficulties they are in because of long school holidays.

I think YANBU, yes of course ideally everyone would plan things before they have kids but I'm afraid my thinking never went beyond "other people manage" and now the reality is getting closer it's more of an Oh Crap realisation situation.