Christmas childcare!

[Christmaschildcare]

Before I had children, I thought parents wanted Christmas off because of the ‘magic’ of Christmas with children. I’m sure some do but I now realise it’s mostly because THERE’S NO FLIPPING CHILDCARE OPTIONS AVAILABLE

I have three children under six. Their school is (naturally) closed, their nursery is closed. There are no holiday clubs in our area open whatsoever. We have no one to ask - everyone either works or is in same boat as us so cannot look after THREE CHILDREN for us.

We need to find cover for two weeks. My dh can take a week, and I can take a week, so we’re lucky that we can plan to share.

but even that has been an issue for both employees. We’ve both been told we ‘need to do our part’ and ‘can’t expect to be off just because you’ve got kids’ and ‘well it needs to be fair to everyone’ etc etc.

while I agree with this in theory - in practice, what on Earth am I supposed to do for childcare? If my employer says I can’t take the week off - well, unfortunately, I will be, as I can’t leave three children at home. I’m not being difficult, I genuinely have nowhere and no one to send them to. I wish I did.

is there some magical Christmas childcare solution I’m missing? Please enlighten me 😩

Throwing a fake sickie is just likely to get her into trouble and possibly sacked but if that's a risk she wants to take then crack on....

That would mean no two parents could work in the emergency services, or hospitals, or as pilots etc. And they are important vital jobs.

Actually it entirely their responsibility.

A persons responsibility is ALWAYS to their child (a literal legal responsibility they have to fulfill) not their boss who has to make fair allowances to this.

To fire/discipline a person because they had to take time of to look after their child when there is no other options for childcare and who made that clear would be discrimination.

OP doesn't have to ask or beg for what is her right. She simply has to state the fact that she cannot be there and employers have to give time off for the purpose of situations like this.

Your whole life is not owed to a boss, your job does not come before your life, kids, family, own responsibility. It is the bosses job to sort relevant staff (even if they have to take on new temporary staff over certain period to keep THEIR business afloat) but that does not mean denying or discriminating against existing employees.

Thankfully more of the modern generations are standing up for their rights and to this outdated and ridiculous 'your boss owns you and you should be thankful to beg for your legal right to leave' mentality.

Oh I am past this now but the week of Christmas was just impossible for child care. Did not exist in my area.

Yes it would

You may well be right but I was thinking maybe somebody who wants to spend a bit of time in the UK and isn't too fussed about Christmas with family. No doubt I am scraping the barrel, but it is a very difficult situation.

Our nursery only used to close between Xmas and New Year so only 1 week. And my office is closed then anyway. In answer to your Q what do people do - I suspect that's the reality for a lot of people.

Anyone I know who does shift work already has fairly significant grandparent support so they're covered that way.

Ultimately if there was demand locally for the holiday clubs they'd probably run. So I guess you are surrounded by people who fall into the two categories above.

Could you ask staff from the nursery if they fancied earning some extra £££ for a day or two babysitting?

Unfortunately if the employer followed this approach, another employee would have to give up their time off. Why does the OP have a greater say in having the days off?

And if her other option is gross negligence of her kids then of course it's a risk she'll take. Duh.

Possibly sacked for one episode of sickness? That's a reach. People do get ill over Christmas, it's peak time for the shits and everyone knows that.

That’s y lots use a childminder.

They could be teachers though

I'm another one who's never come across a childminder who works over Christmas.

I’m a teacher myself and have no desire to denigrate the good work we do but we arguably need doctors and nurses and firefighters and police more!

And this is the crux of the issue really.

For individual parents, one of you getting a different job often is the solution. For the rest of society, losing parents with important skills might be a bit of a problem! It's not something we have been able to satisfactorily resolve.

there's a shortage of teachers they're all overworked and stressed out so they should try to encourage more with the holiday thing. Perhaps target couples where both are eg a pilot or a surgeon. Try to make it a thing

Not Christmas day obviously but the op seems to be referring to the 2 weeks Christmas holiday when many childcare providers do still work.

And many do not as many of their staff are looking after their own kids

Join a local nannying/childcare fb group.
The one I’m in always seems to have Nannies available when a request is put in for short term positions,
I work as a TA so quite often look out for holiday work on there.

I think most do take one full week off. Then depending on when new year falls it could be nearly two.

For more flexible childcare a nanny is the best option. Can you WFH and a student provide mothers/fathers help type support and keep them occupied whilst you work?

I’d tell my employer I was taking a weeks leave, unpaid if that was preferred. And that if they wanted to dismiss me because of it then let’s go down that route. You have my sympathies op.

Is it the amount of time you are asking for that's the problem or just the optics? So for example if you had two days off, in for three then the next three off and in for two would that be more palatable to them than having a whole week off in one go? Obviously more of a pita for you and needs more coordination but they then may be able to turn around to anyone moaning and saying but they're in over Christmas and pulling their weight....Not saying it's right ( it is in fact ridiculous) but that's how some people's minds work....

I totally understand and its very frustrating. I'm lucky however that DH works at university and they close, generally the 23rd till the 3rd. If we both had my job we'd be in your position too

I'm NHS and need to get my name in on a list when the December leave opens in July. And its not guaranteed either till November.

@Christmaschildcare

I feel for you, it's a very difficult situation.

Have you asked the Norland Agency whether they have a Nanny on their books who would be available?

https://www.norland.ac.uk/norland-agency/