To use holiday club when I work TTO?

[TTOWorkerUsingHolidayChildcare]

My friends think I’m UR, so thought I’d ask MNetters their opinion.

I work Term Time Only (TTO) 3 days per week. I absolutely love my job but because it’s TTO I don’t get any Annual Leave as such – I don’t work in a tradition TTO job (not a school/education setting or similar) so I can book the occasional day off and it does mean I can line my holidays up exactly with DCs. I work TTO because my manager allows it – we tend to have more work in term time anyway so I’m actually saving my company some money. I'm also a single parent, so it's down to me during the week to find and get childcare, so this makes my life slightly easier ExH won't have DC in the week at all

I have 1 DC aged 8.

During single week holidays I usually manage and have DC at home without holiday club but during 2 week or the longer 6 weeks I send them to a holiday club once or twice a week.

DC chooses which days they go, and also chooses which club they go to. And we also usually have a week to 10 days on holiday somewhere so they’re usually only in for 9 or 10 days at most of the big summer holidays due to that.

I do also send them on playdates, or ask family to have them. DC actually would choose holiday club over playdates or family though because they get to see friends from their extracurricular TTO activities that don’t go to their school – I have tried to do playdates/meet ups with these friends but it always seem the parents need childcare for 2 or 3 children due to working and DC is only bothered about their friend, so it’s easier for them to say “I’ll be at this holiday club on this day” and then DC gets an all day playdate with multiple children.

I’ve been told by friends that I am UR because places here are limited and people who need the clubs for childcare can’t always get their child in. This has come about because later this week DC is off to a holiday club and 2 of my friends who’re actually working were unable to get their DC into the clubs at all on days they need it, so are either having to book AL or take unpaid leave if they can't get AL.

I do feel slightly bad for them, because I don't technically need it but DC loves going and I'm happy to pay for them to go.

So AIBU to use a space at a holiday club when spaces are limited locally when I don’t technically need it?

Your friends should have got organised and booked in earlier if they’re that dependent on the holiday club, it really isn’t your problem and I highly doubt he’ll be the only one there that has either a TTO working parent or a SAHP. Of course it’s fine for him to go and have fun with his friends.

Holiday club places are often given to children whose carers don't need them for childcare, eg children from low income backgrounds, children who don't live with their parents, children who are going through difficult situations. They provide a lot of benefits re extra curricular activities. Obviously the situation for a child isn't broadcast to other parents, but holiday clubs are certainly not intended to be solely childcare for working parents. Your friends should have been more organised. There are usually other non school related clubs they can consider too, albeit ones that cost more (eg lots of drama clubs do them, in our area there are sports clubs held at the leisure centre)

@Brieandme The ones I use for DC are not school clubs, I don't actually know of any school ones - there's some held in schools but they're not run by the school or specific for children at that school. DC is going to one based at a school but is run by an external company and is about arts and easter craft. There's another one held in the sports hall of the nearest high school open to all children thats sports based.

I’m a single mum, work 5 days TTO and have just booked mine into a club 3 days next week otherwise I get no break and go back to school Mir exhausted than when we broke up. If your DC enjoys it and you can afford it then why not? It’s hard and tiring entertaining them all the time and they’re having fun

I used to put mine in a club in the summer hols. Not because I needed to but because he enjoyed it, played different sports, saw friends etc. maybe two weeks out of the six. Then a weeks holiday. Then the rest days out with family etc or just mooching round the house.

YANBU. You need a break sometimes and it sounds like your DC really enjoys themselves!

I'm part time but get a lot of a/l and take a lot of it in the school holidays. I always book mine into camps. it's great for the kids.

I’m a SAHM. My kids go to a holiday club sometimes because they enjoy it and nowhere does it say that the club or activity is only for the children of working parents. I don’t feel remotely guilty about it. They have as much right to a day playing football or doing crafts with their friends as any other child.

There are local activities and summer camps specifically run by the council for low income families which provide activities and a hot meal, those are the only ones I have ever seen criteria for.

@TTOWorkerUsingHolidayChildcare sorry if I'd misunderstood, but the point about the benefit being more than 'just' childcare is still valid! There's only so much you can do to entertain them at home, and there's no reason your child should miss out on seeing friends and doing things they enjoy just because you have some flexibility at work.
You mentioned you're a single parent, I'm sure there are plenty of times that you are disadvantaged in some way that your friends haven't even thought about.

I’m TTO and my ds is booked into clubs during the holidays. As an only child, I think it does him the world of good to mix with other kids away from me and his dad.

if people want to complain then let them. It doesn’t say anywhere on the booking form that his parents must both be working all day 5 days a week to qualify.

No, YANBU, your only responsibility is to your own child. If they are happy and enjoy going, they will get more out of a holiday club with games, activities and friends to make, than being at home on their own all holidays with just mum.
A mix of clubs, down time at home and holiday is ideal - why wouldn't you give your child that if you are organised to arrange it in time.

Not a problem at all. I'm a sahm and just put DD into a holiday day camp for 2 days because her best friend is going (would have been happy to host a play date but friend's mum had already booked the camp). Places aren't so limited here, it's not full and there are loads of other commercial holiday camps as we're in London. But even where places are limited, it's up to others to book early if they need the place.