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

My 8 year old is fine for a couple of days like that, although I work 8-3 so not quite so long (she gets up quite late too which helps!) During the Feb half term there were no suitable clubs on so I had to keep her at home with me for a couple of days. She's pretty independent, and can amuse herself well with reading, crafts, music practice, dance practice, playing with dolls etc. She had music and dance exams coming up so she was happy to get in some extra practising. I also let her use her tablet to videochat my mum for a while as well. They'll talk for an hour at a time which is useful.

Honestly she was fine - we did stuff together on the days I didn't have to work so I don't feel she really missed out on stuff. A bit of boredom can encourage kids to use their imagination and she ended up writing and illustrating a small book. I also let her access pinterest on her tablet so we've set up boards together with things she can do herself if she's needing inspiration.

I don't think it's unacceptable you know your children best and if you think that the best thing for them is to be at home while youWFH for a few days in the holidays and you can still get your work done and keep sane! Then do it!
Our Daughter is almost 9 and often in a week's holiday she may have a day with me while i'm WFH. Compared to home schooling and doing my full time job from home during the pandemic it's a doddle!
I have changed company since and roles, this one has more responsibility but so long as I get everything done on time and I'm available if they need me/for a meeting there are no dramas.
I wouldn't over think it Good Luck!

There is possibly something in your contract about being called back to work from the office as WFH only works if it works both ways. What are you going to do if your employer says we want you back in the office tomorrow and you are looking after your children? If your employer finds out (and there is a good chance they will) then your WFH contract could be rescinded or worse it could be a disciplinary. Also if you have your children there then you won't be 100% focussed on your job which is what you are being paid to do. Totally dishonest unless you ask and get full agreement from your employer first. If you're not prepared to do that then you know what you are proposing is wrong.

Yes you are being unreasonable. Look into parental leave or term time working if you don't want them in holiday clubs.

I commented on a thread previously under a different name. I wfh and have my toddler with me. My boss isn’t aware. My dh is self employed and we can usually arrange it so that meetings I can attend while he’s with dc and the rest of the time I manage. I know it’s frowned upon but I’m getting the required work done and nobody knows so it’s not hurting anyone and it’s the best option for us both financially and due to other circumstances

I’ll add that my child does get to do activities too. I work 4 days a week so I’m my day off we are out and about and at the weekend we do things. Plus every Monday morn a friend pops over with their dc for a play date where she watches them all and MIL on a tues 10-12 takes dc out to the park and a cafe or her house

What work do you do?

After the last time I mentioned this I had so many responses saying people wished they knew so they could tell my employer that I can’t even say what type of work I do !

This is exactly why WFH doesn’t work for many. Who take the piss..

People drone on about being more productive but they really aren’t. Work is fitted in between the many household tasks/school runs etc. I used to work with someone who was never available before 0915, who refused audios between 1515-1600 and only did calls after 1600 if she was really pushed into it (kids were at home making a racket). We all knew she was doing it, others had to take up the slack because we were customer facing. Her manager knew but he was nervous of speaking to her. Then her manager changed and the whole thing started all over again.

There is no way you can have a toddler with you all day and do much work at all. Another piss take until you re found out.

Well, you can't be found out if it's general?
Are you a civil servant?

Could you work 9-1 then 5-8 & take them out for a few hours in the afternoon?

This is going to be difficult for people - as you say on the days DH is off they can't treat the house as a normal home as it's now become your work space. I don't think it's fair of employers to expect this.

I don't think you sound like you're trying to skive off. However going forward can you manage this FT working from home if it means every school hols the kids need to stay quiet while you work? Is there not an office space you can use?

I’m good at my job and a fast worker . A lot of the time too I can really focus and get more done in dc nap time and I can do stuff in the evening too in preparation for the next day or things that need finishing before a deadline it all works out fine . My employer is more than happy with my standard of work so would never suspect a thing

It's all the people cheating the system like this who are turning the tide and meaning employers are increasingly pushing people back into the office.

WFH is based on trust and when people exploit that trust they ruin it for far more than themselves

Its unreasonable to think you can work through all holidays with two children. You arent being fair to either party!

PP are right it’s a trust issue and so many are taking advantage and probably think they have everyone fooled.

No. And to even suggest it gives other working women a bad name. When ds's were younger they went to sports holiday club on the days I worked part time.

I fail to see how it’s an issue if all work is completed on time and to the required standard ? Why does it matter who else is in the house at the time if my employer is happy ?

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

I see a lot of MNers saying they have to sign things like this. Do they ask if you have kids? I've never been asked to sign anything like this or had any terms in my contract which talk about childcare.

I think the odd day here and there is ok. Not two weeks though (even with bank holidays).

Ahh Mumsnet. Where if your children are 2 you should be in work, but how dare you claim benefits on top of working. Where you must manage over the holidays with your kids somehow but not have them at home but still work full time but if that costs too much just get a promotion/look for a new job. but also spend ALL the time with your kids in the holidays.

OP you won't win. I work from home with my kids just fine, one being a toddler. My work is pretty flexible too as long as I attend meetings when they are booked and get the work done.

Only you know your kids. People responding here are usually bitter about WFH in general and are desperate to force everyone into an office so they can yap at them about their kids/what they did at the weekend, can't cope working and having kids around at the same time (which is fair, not everyone has that level of concentration or ability) or just want to shit on other Mums who think they could cope.

You will be called a shit parent or a shit employee, or both! Honestly, use your own judgement and potentially save on childcare.

People who claim they can work from home whilst simultaneously caring for children irritate me immensely. No wonder employers are sceptical about staff WFH when people take the mickey

My kids are your age and I WFH. No it is not possible. Your kids will be bored and you will be stressed. I have childcare from family and use holiday clubs. Kids love the clubs and I try to put them in on the same day as their friends.

Completely agree! Surely the important thing is that work is done to a high standard it’s then irrelevant if there’s a child / children at home as well ! And as long as the child is getting to groups, park, seeing friends and family too then it works out for everyone !

I'm trying to think what job you could do while effectively minding a toddler. Some jobs must be less demanding than others.
OP, I genuinely don't see how you can do this, but like @frogsandtoads maybe it's a job with loose boundaries.

This is obviously very variable in different locations! And often only run 10 am - 3 pm.