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AIBU?

To think I can WFH 9-5 in the holidays with my kids at home

393 replies

TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 05/03/2023 13:38

I recently started a new job where I’m based at home full time. Was a bit nervous at first not going into an office as I’ve only ever had office based roles but I’ve found a good rhythm and routine and we meet in big city once a month so I’m happy with that.

I was off through February half term but I don’t want to use all my holidays too soon. Obviously Easter holidays are coming up. My kids are 6&9. Holiday clubs not only cost a fortune but the kids absolutely hate going to them. I can get family childcare for a couple of days and DH can take a couple of days off bit WIBU to keep them at home while I work? They’re old enough to entertain themselves i’d just need to make their lunch and check they’re still alive.

For context - I know people at my new work who WFH on half days with their 1yo babies there. One of them was late to a meeting the other day because the health visitor was round!

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Am I being unreasonable?

AIBU

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SoHereWeGo · 05/03/2023 13:41

And people wonder why employers want their staff back in the office....

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ThreeB · 05/03/2023 13:42

You're being unreasonable. WFH is not there to support childcare, you need to be able to do the same level of work, and apply the same concentration, as you would in an office. It's unfair on your colleagues and your employer to use it as a substitute for holiday cover.

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CatOnTheChair · 05/03/2023 13:42

For the odd day, I'm sure it's likely to be ok.
But for a week or more at a time, it's pretty boring for the kids, and is likely to mean you don't work or parent effectively.
Find some 9-3 camps they are interested in, and have them home before and after that - it sounds like you work somewhere that will make getting out for drop offs and collections easy, which will open up all sorts of school holiday activities.

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Optionschange · 05/03/2023 13:43

No you need childcare.

And it's not fair in the kids to just ignore them all day everyday for 2 weeks. Especially when young.

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sunshineandshowers40 · 05/03/2023 13:43

My youngest is the same age as your oldest and I can work from home with my DCs home, I'm not sure if I could if they were much younger. Easter has a couple of BH, would you be able to book a day off each week to take the pressure off if family can't help. Also during the holidays I work in my bedroom so I am out of the way

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MatildaTheCat · 05/03/2023 13:44

Well it depends on what you do? High profile meetings and high pressured deadlines- no. Projects that can be completed at any time of the day or night- maybe.

Boring for the kids though. I imagine a lot of time will be spent on devices?

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Optionschange · 05/03/2023 13:44

A 6 year old really shouldn't be left to entertain themselves all day.

Fine for a couple of hours tv watching maybe.

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berksandbeyond · 05/03/2023 13:44

YABU.
how expensive is holiday club really? It’s £25 a day here

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TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 05/03/2023 13:46

sunshineandshowers40 · 05/03/2023 13:43

My youngest is the same age as your oldest and I can work from home with my DCs home, I'm not sure if I could if they were much younger. Easter has a couple of BH, would you be able to book a day off each week to take the pressure off if family can't help. Also during the holidays I work in my bedroom so I am out of the way

Ooh I forgot about the bank holidays - yay!!
If I can get them watched for 4 days, take 2 days off, 2 bank holidays I’d only need to worry about 2 days

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tealandteal · 05/03/2023 13:46

In a few years yes, at 6 they still need you so much.

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Theunamedcat · 05/03/2023 13:46

berksandbeyond · 05/03/2023 13:44

YABU.
how expensive is holiday club really? It’s £25 a day here

Over £60 I was working for less than nothing at one point in the holidays

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WinterMusings · 05/03/2023 13:46

SoHereWeGo · 05/03/2023 13:41

And people wonder why employers want their staff back in the office....

🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

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TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 05/03/2023 13:47

MatildaTheCat · 05/03/2023 13:44

Well it depends on what you do? High profile meetings and high pressured deadlines- no. Projects that can be completed at any time of the day or night- maybe.

Boring for the kids though. I imagine a lot of time will be spent on devices?

Projects with deadlines and 3 regular Teams calls a week.

9-5 are preferred hours but work can be done outside those hours if needed according to my contract

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TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 05/03/2023 13:47

berksandbeyond · 05/03/2023 13:44

YABU.
how expensive is holiday club really? It’s £25 a day here

£30-£35 each. 9.30-3.

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MunchMonster · 05/03/2023 13:47

The odd day or odd half day fine but defo not anymore than that. Why don't they like holiday club? And how much is it? They are £20 to £30 which is way less than nursery fees.

Can you do some childcare swap days with some of their friends?

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TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 05/03/2023 13:48

WinterMusings · 05/03/2023 13:46

🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

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😂my work certainly don’t they’re saving a fortune on overheads

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RandomUsernameHere · 05/03/2023 13:48

Was going to say it's a bit unfair on the DC, but you've said they hate holiday clubs. Do you know any other parents you could take it in turns with to look after all the DC? That way you wouldn't need to use as much annual leave.

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MunchMonster · 05/03/2023 13:48

Cross posted. That does sound expensive. But you can still use tax free childcare account with them. How many kids do you have?

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AnonNameChange45 · 05/03/2023 13:49

I've just started a new role wfh and I've had to sign to say it doesn't exempt me from sorting suitable childcare if applicable. My kids are still using breakfast and afterschool club. I'm in exactly the same predicament re Easter holidays. But if husband takes any annual leave then I'll have him and kids at home which would be more irritating than just the kids!
Our holiday club isn't open so I think I'll ask husband to book days off when I have meetings, and otherwise I'll just do my best with the kids about.
I'll allow unlimited tech and make them a lunchbox each which has to last the day. It'll be very much experimental.

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TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 05/03/2023 13:49

MunchMonster · 05/03/2023 13:47

The odd day or odd half day fine but defo not anymore than that. Why don't they like holiday club? And how much is it? They are £20 to £30 which is way less than nursery fees.

Can you do some childcare swap days with some of their friends?

They find the clubs boring apparently 🙄 the last one there were so many kids that no one noticed when my son was left in the playing field whilst everyone else went in. Had to go pick him up because he was hysterical he thought he’d been left.

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Crunchymum · 05/03/2023 13:49

In emergencies / at very short notice / as an occasional solution to childcare issues it's fine.

To plan week/s of this is not fine.

It doesn't matter what other people do.

I have 3 DC, fully WFH and other than the occasional sickness they go to after school clubs, grandparents and I take AL to cover school holidays.

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TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 05/03/2023 13:49

RandomUsernameHere · 05/03/2023 13:48

Was going to say it's a bit unfair on the DC, but you've said they hate holiday clubs. Do you know any other parents you could take it in turns with to look after all the DC? That way you wouldn't need to use as much annual leave.

We’ve just moved schools so sadly I don’t know anyone well enough yet that I’d trust them with my kids. And vice versa

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TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 05/03/2023 13:51

AnonNameChange45 · 05/03/2023 13:49

I've just started a new role wfh and I've had to sign to say it doesn't exempt me from sorting suitable childcare if applicable. My kids are still using breakfast and afterschool club. I'm in exactly the same predicament re Easter holidays. But if husband takes any annual leave then I'll have him and kids at home which would be more irritating than just the kids!
Our holiday club isn't open so I think I'll ask husband to book days off when I have meetings, and otherwise I'll just do my best with the kids about.
I'll allow unlimited tech and make them a lunchbox each which has to last the day. It'll be very much experimental.

Yes that’s what I’m thinking.

They’re very good at playing with each other and for example today I’ve barely seen either of them (except when they want food) because they play in their rooms with each other.

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youshouldnthaveasked · 05/03/2023 13:51

How flexible is your work? Could you perhaps just over the holidays work 4 longer days?

Or different hours, say an evening shift/ early morning shift while children are in bed? And work just for the teams meetings?

hope you find a solution

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TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 05/03/2023 13:52

youshouldnthaveasked · 05/03/2023 13:51

How flexible is your work? Could you perhaps just over the holidays work 4 longer days?

Or different hours, say an evening shift/ early morning shift while children are in bed? And work just for the teams meetings?

hope you find a solution

Yes good idea I might ask this! I could do an extra 2 hours on an evening over 4 days

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