To ask how you feel about school holidays?

[Justformenow]

Especially if your children are young (reception / KS1 age.)

I am kind of looking forward to mine starting reception but dreading the long holidays as well.

I like to use holiday clubs because it's a different kind of structured educational experience but I won't be able to use them when my girls both start at private school, because most only run at the same time as state school holidays.

I didn’t enjoy it much when my DC were primary age….especially if the weather was rubbish. I always felt like I should be doing more - more play dates, days out, holidays etc. It was exhausting!!

Now they’re 15 & 17 they’re out most days and as long as there’s food in the fridge when they get home, I don’t hear much from them!

I enjoy them. We are in London where there are so many attractions, shows, parks and day trips nearby that we need the holidays to be able visit all the interesting places we want to see. During term-time life is too busy with extracurriculars and homework. We have lots of fun holiday camps too - my dcs have done musical theatre, gymnastics, forest school, swimming crash courses, dance. Not for childcare but a fun way to get into an activity for a week and meet new friends.

Other countries don't have the same issue because their governments have to respect teachers/schools/education and don't use it like a political football to score points with the electorate.

As a full time worker I hated the school holidays.
I always felt terribly guilty that they were with childminder/at clubs.
Was at its worse when they are 9 ish. My older 2 had no interest in sports and group activities but it was all that was on offer.

I love them but then I’m a sahm so don’t have to worry about childcare. 6 weeks feel daunting but after lockdown it’s a doddle.

I think they're too long especially the summer and it's difficult for parents to manage them. We're lucky we can pay for holiday clubs but it's still an adjustment for everyone going to a different place, different times, especially when the children are young.

I missed my daughter very much when she started school; I used to really look forward to the holidays when she was in primary school, and enjoyed being able to spend every day with her.

Mine are young adults now but I always absolutely loved the school holidays. It did become trickier as I increased my hours at work but sports clubs always came in handy to cover the odd day. I loved the slower mornings and just the time with them.

I don't know what ages you have, but I'd say holidays with just school age kids are lovely, especially reception age. Old enough that they can be left to their own devices for a bit, but young enough that they're still enthusiastic about basic stuff.

Having younger ones in the mix makes it a bit trickier, but it gets easier the older they all get so far. Not sure if that holds when they hit the teens though!

I think it depends entirely on whether or not you have a job. People saying they’re bliss and relaxing and wonderful are not the people shelling out hundreds for childcare and feeling guilty about it.

Mine are grown now but I always loved the summer holidays. My favourite time of the year. Lazy days in the sunshine, paddling pools in the garden, leisurely picnics, walks in the woods and on the beach. I did have a term time only job until they were all out of primary because I was a single parent and it was the only way I could manage. I really missed the holidays when I moved to all year full time work. I didn't have a career though, only a job, so I wasn't missing out by being term time in regards to progression at work.

I think there is a lot more pressure on both parents to work full time all year now though which is a shame for those without a decent career type job and I see many parents struggling to juggle - but I also see the children who are in wrap around throughout their summer unable to have the lazy freedom mine had, and I had too growing up. Times have definitely changed.

I love the school holidays!!! But I have a very generous annual leave plus both sets of grandparents like to have the kids to stay when they can. Without that I'm sure I'd feel more pressure/feel differently.
Loving this weather this Easter - makes cheap/free days with the kids a possibility!

Yeah that's easy enough when they're young or you only have one child, not quite as easy when you have multiple/older children. We're planning on going to an attraction in the Easter holidays, Lilidorei at Alnwick Gardens which isn't anything massive but has a giant play frame and nice gardens. It's going to cost the best part of £100. Most places are the same nowadays.

However, I do love the holidays, the lazy mornings and just being able to chill.

I'm assuming most places are already on Easter holidays? Ours don't break up til Friday.

I love them being at home. BUT I am older and wiser so I have leant the hard way that you don’t have to plan a lot and that days at home watching film are ok now and then, or even a few days a week. If you and your children are ok it’s ok!
Don’t compare all the extravagant things on social media to what you are doing.

Same here

Kids get 190 days of education and the rest is up to parents. They're actually parents' responsibility throughout and school closures aren't supposed to be an inconvenience.

Love them.

We do a day off each and use holiday clubs for the rest in an activity DC loves. Grandparents will do the odd day as well.

We tend yo use "our" day to for for a morning trip, home for tv and a home activity in the afternoon or to meet up with friends.

Our DC are normally so busy that if they want to veg out half the day we let them.

Keen to teach thst rest and recovery don't need to be earned.

I'm excited, looking forward to spending some time with my DC

Love them but only because it means I'm off too as work TTO

I especially think year 11 need that break the pressure they put on them it’s been non stop mocks and extra lessons during breaks and after school and holidays even in the top set groups.

Honestly my job is less stress that what we are putting children though in those years. I don’t begrudge them a single day of free childhood.

When my kids were in school i think i loved the holidays more than they did .

Overall I enjoy the holidays but I always look forward to being back to school as I just think we're all more efficient and motivated when in a routine.

We are lucky to live very centrally so we have all the wonderful free stuff London has to offer. This week we're doing London Zoo (I know that isn't free but we have passes) Highgate Woods, Sky Garden and Thames walk and The RAF museum.

It's much easier to manage moany children when I can be at the Thames in 20 minutes or at a museum or one of the big parks etc. There is always something free or cheap to do and in the sunshine London is fantastic.

I'm not quite so chirpy about the February half term but the rest I enjoy. We go away in the summer for a week or two and usually go away for October half term too. Easter is a nice break as long as the weather is good. Christmas is all about lazing at home, seeing family, watching movies / relaxing etc.

I find it odd when people are daunted at the thought of spending time with their own children.

i love it.

my kids are great company. I love the freedom from reading books and spellings and everyone rushing to be up and out of the house on time. We can go and do everything no and nothing in a day if we want to!

often the weather isn’t amazing but as long as it’s dry we go for walks, picnics, the park and enjoy being together