To be annoyed at 'hope you had a great 1/2 term'

[jacketBandC]

Like most full time working parents I work most of the school holidays.
I've done it for years. I am also a lone parent. I have struggled with it. It is how it is and I get on with it.

Book club - 6 women. 3 work full or nearly full time, 2 work term-time, 1 home educating.
Every sodding school holiday we get a "phew...made it to the end of half term/term...can't wait for some time off" from one of the term-term workers.

My sister who KNOWS my situation was "Oh lucky you getting 2 weeks for 1/2 term".

I've had 2 emails from school today saying they hope I had a lovely 1/2 term.

Actually, I had one day off which was nice. The rest of it was just more juggling than usual, so nothing lovely really.

I’m a single full time co parent (not solo) but I take most of the holidays. Every half term and a couple of weeks in the summer and one of each week in between terms. Don’t you have paid holiday?

Yes, that would be 8 weeks:
2 weeks Oct 1/2 term
1 week over Xmas
1 week Spring 1/2 term
1 week Easter
1 week May 1/2 term
2 weeks summer

I don't get 8 weeks leave.

I am bound by school holidays and somewhat by the needs of my employer, but otherwise yes, I am free to take my leave when I suit.

Of course not.

I know what you mean. I find it odd when adults say to each other ‘hope you’ve had/are having a great summer!’ I mean, I enjoy the season, but I’m not having a 6 week-long break interrailing round Europe.

As I said earlier. We meet in person and we also have a WhatsApp group.

Don't listen to the posters telling you to fire back a retort about how you didn’t actually have a good half-term and for the teacher not to assume and be more sensitive in the future. That would just come across as churlish and obnoxious and a good way to stop people ever having pleasant exchanges or friendships with you

Trust me I had absolutely no intention of doing such a thing.

I'm not part time.

I have a full time professional position.

Yes, I did take one day. We get a 2 week 1/2 term in Autumn now.

Some people really have no concept how others live .. a certain teacher friend of mine said to me... 'problem is, when I get home (from her three week holiday), I only have two weeks to recover before I have to go back to work '...
I was so stunned, I laughed assuming she was attempting to be funny. She asked why I laughed and I said 'well I'll be at work on Monday' (having had just the one week off myself).
This then triggered a huge rant about how hard teachers work and how I should try it.. I'd never even said they don't work hard but I'm a single parent and the longest time off I've had in 7 years is a single week.. I can't imagine having two weeks to recover from a three week holiday?!? Working through school holidays is yet another struggle that would be so lovely not to have to do.
We have barely spoken since this incident as I am still genuinely stunned every time I think about it

10 days annual leave? are you in the UK?

i doubt you were true friends in the first place given this exchange and the fall out that followed @SMforever

You sound like someone who sucks joy tbh.
I suspect you say things that piss others off without realising.

Honestly, it’s like walking on eggshells these days, people take offence at everything.

I guess the message was not just aimed at you but to everyone who has kids. Personally I wouldn’t have wanted every half term off anyway and mine went to holiday clubs so no easier than a school day. They are too old to need holiday care now, it doesn’t last forever. I do enjoy the half terms as it means I don’t have to give DD a lift to school.

I’m self employed so I get no paid days off a year.
So I can’t afford to be off, quite simply. I usually take 5 days a year.

How kind of you. I thought I had a friend, who then lashed out at me, out of the blue, for no reason whatsoever. Someone who had invited me to share a holiday with her and her children (and my children).
Yes no longer a friend but still blows my mind at how some people's brains work, especially when it's someone you think you know well.

kind of who?

heavens… this sounds like a real argument!

We have to suck it up.

It's life.

Time will pass and kids will grow.

I don't know how a PP deduced I get 10 day AL a year and then someone else decided I was PT.

I work full time and get the regular number of days (28 plus BHs).

i’m guessing from you saying If I take 2 weeks in a row in the summer that leaves me n days for the rest of the year.

and the exchange about half term was in person or virtual?

Oh right. I was using n in the mathematical sense ie a number, not a typo for 'no'.

Oh blimey, I'm losing track of what people are asking about.
Trying to catch me out or pull my OP to bits. Does it matter what means of communication was used?

It's OK, I have already said I was being over-sensitive, more people agreeing with that and telling me I'm not a nice person isn't going to help me. But if people still want to get the dig in then go ahead.

I'm a systems manager in a school and my team work full time. It does grate a little when other staff come bouncing in after breaks asking if we had a great time (we're usually in doing things that can't be done during term time). But I can't complain too much as I do get 31 days holiday, plus bank holidays, although sometimes it's impossible to take it all...

or just asking why you have 20 days holidays but taking 2 weeks over the summer would leave you with zero holiday 🤷

huh? i was only asking if exchange via whatsapp which i presume it was given this was in your OP - and easy to misinterpret virtual exchanges