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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think finishing on the 22nd for Christmas is a bit daft?

158 replies

ThatsNotMyPinkUnicorn · 06/12/2021 07:12

I’m just wondering why some schools are finishing so late and why going back for half a week?

I can only think it’s to have that week on the other side of January and it is nice in a way but it’s making the run up to Christmas absolutely frantic. This happens in the summer too and it’s practically august when the schools break up here so you miss all the best weather!

AIBU or is this a bit silly?

OP posts:
Pottedpalm · 06/12/2021 07:19

I think it’s better having the time afterwards to enjoy family time and play with new toys, and fir older pupils to get some revision/studying dine.
I don’t see why it makes the run up frantic; it keeps excited little ones out of the way while you prepare.

FuzzyPenguin · 06/12/2021 07:20

Mine breaks up on the 17th and I was wishing it was later! At I have to deal with with an excited child for a week build u at least afterwards you have the presents to play with. Don’t know how the decide when holidays are? I am in Leicestershire and we are always different to everyone else thanks to the old July fortnight of summer.

Sashimiandhisthunderpaws · 06/12/2021 07:20

Our schools breaks up on 17/12 and back on 4/1. It works better for me as work will be busier in Jan and we can get back to normal quicker. Also it gives a week to do Christmasy bits.

I wouldn't like the week in Jan.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 06/12/2021 07:22

It's the 17th around here and too early. You end up with over excited kids and no time to get anything done.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 06/12/2021 07:25

We break up on the 22nd and have 2 training days so the children don't go back until the 10th.

I dont like the late finish and teaching super excited children gets rather interesting that close to Christmas.

But it will be nice to feel that January isn't such a long slog.

BendingSpoons · 06/12/2021 07:27

17th to 4th here and suits me! I've taken time off too and it's more exciting, plus gives ne more time to do things than if I was working. We have an event booked, can watch Christmas films, crafts etc. I find the first week of Jan flat, would rather get back to normal.

HerbErtlinger · 06/12/2021 07:27

We break up the 17th and would far prefer the 22nd. Need to make sure everything is done by the 17th and then have a week trying to keep over excited children calm and entertained

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 06/12/2021 07:28

Ours finish on the 16th.

I seriously don't know where thir school finds time for all the holidays... they ended up with nearly 7 weeks in summer, and two in October.

middleager · 06/12/2021 07:29

17th here, back on 4th.

EllieSattler · 06/12/2021 07:30

I think I agree with you OP. Ours finish on the 17th and I'm counting down the days. We're going to rest, watch shit Christmas movies, and maybe go into the nearest city to see the lights and decorations. Much nicer than them bickering amongst the mess at the start of January.

mnistooaddictive · 06/12/2021 07:30

“I don’t see why it makes the run up frantic; it keeps excited little ones out of the way while you prepare.” Says the parent who obviously doesn’t work!

Lovelydovey · 06/12/2021 07:31

One of mine finishes on the 17th and the other the 22nd. We are going away on the 23rd but wish it could have been earlier…

sunflowerroses · 06/12/2021 07:32

I'm very glad mine are finishing on the 17th, 22nd is so late. We have all sorts of Christmas plans that week which wouldn't feel the same the week after or in January. The excited anticipation is one of the best parts of Christmas here! We have both taken week before off work to enjoy it with them.

usernotfound0000 · 06/12/2021 07:32

17th here and definitely feels too early!

sbhydrogen · 06/12/2021 07:33

My DCs aren't in school yet, but I'd rather they broke up on the 17th. The run up to Christmas is one of the most exciting times of the year. They should be able to enjoy it!

megletthesecond · 06/12/2021 07:33

17th here. Works well for my as I have teens and it means we have lots of covid testing time before we see family after Xmas.
If it was up to me Xmas would be 3 weeks off and we'd lose a week of summer. The dark days are miserable.

Redcrayons · 06/12/2021 07:34

Mine are older and finish in 17th. I’m glad because it means I can book Christmas week off and do lots of nice stuff before all the little kids break up.

When they were primary age, the later the better. I could get everything done without dragging two overexcited children with me.

RancidOldHag · 06/12/2021 07:37

Christmas is a Twelve Day feast, and I think it's a shame schools go back before 6th.

I suppose they shifted the hols to earlier because the autumn term is fearfully long already

But I welcome it when the dates are more in line with the traditional celebration.

And agree, prep is better done when DC are out of the way l. And hols over the celebration itself.

RancidOldHag · 06/12/2021 07:40

@mnistooaddictive

“I don’t see why it makes the run up frantic; it keeps excited little ones out of the way while you prepare.” Says the parent who obviously doesn’t work!
Even when you work, and are trying to fit preparation round your working life, having DC out of the way still helps.

I've taken a day today, and once I've turfed them out of the house, it's all systems go. Even if you can't do that, it's always easier to find time when everyone is on their routine schedule than when you have temp holiday arrangements to deal with

StormyTeacups · 06/12/2021 07:41

Primary school is the Friday, with inset days on the Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday.

Secondary is finishing on the Wed.

CHEM20 · 06/12/2021 07:41

15th here. Absolutely crackers early.

Mylittlepixie · 06/12/2021 07:41

I actually prefer it this way. My kids last school day os the 23rd and they are off until jan 10th. We can celebrate xmas and then go away for a long ski holiday! My friends children have the week before xmas off but they start again On jan 3rd. This doesnt give them a lot of time to enjoy the snow.

peboh · 06/12/2021 07:42

I agree that later is better. I think it would be much nicer for children to have extra time after christmas to enjoy the family time when people are off work, enjoy their new toys and tv etc.
before christmas they just get too overexcited waiting.

Original poster
ThatsNotMyPinkUnicorn · 06/12/2021 07:44

Ah - mine are tiny so not old enough to be excited. I can see that having school age children under your feet is hard. I just can’t believe I’ll have one day then Christmas Eve!

OP posts:
DeathMetalMum · 06/12/2021 07:44

We're 17th here and a whole week before Christmas with dc is a lot. They are over excited and the weather is usually horrible - so difficult to get out on walks and stuff. So need to organised indoor activities which are either over booked or £££. Much nicer to have a few more days after Christmas and New Year to play with toys and have visitors/ go visiting.

This year I am slightly ok with it as more time before christmas means less likely to have covid contact through school.

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