to think I can get by without childcare in August because work is quiet?

[isitPeri1]

Every August, work slows down massively. It has always been this way. There is barely anything coming in, hardly any meetings or deadlines, and most of my team is off. My manager and her manager are both away for the whole of August, so it is very unlikely anything urgent will come up.

I have primary school-aged kids and I am thinking I might skip childcare this year. I usually only have about one to two hours of work a day in August, and some days there is literally nothing to do at all. Anything that does come up, I can usually fit around the kids early in the morning or after they have gone to bed. I have proper annual leave booked for September when they are back at school, so I will get a proper break then.

Has anyone else done this? Just managed without childcare when work was super quiet?

I think you could do this. If some thing really picked up at work and you were asked to do more you could say your childcare let you down that day and you've got to sort something else and you'll join later.

Be careful what you say to kids tho as you don't want to set a bad example.

Also, what would happen if you are seen out and about with kids by a colleague? Do any live nearby?

Op said she's saving her leave so she can have a rest in September

I would also give kids a time table of what to do eg

8-9 breakfast tidy up and washing up and unload dishwasher
9-10 read a book or do a craft project
10-11 musical instrument practice
11-12 tv time
12-1.30 lunch and playground with mum
2-3 art time
3-4 tidy rooms and put laundry away

Morally, you should really be working and doing extra stuff for your employer during the time though

Kids teachers will all be doing this is. August!

OP, I can't believe you posted this as a question knowing MN 😂
Look at the hundreds of threads on here saying "solidarity" when parenting is tough and there's no respite and then bashing you taking time off in September
And all those who can't quite fathom that a job can both be seasonal and important at the same time.
And those who are so concerned for your employer who wouldn't bat an eyelid over saving money, but you are the apparently the piss taker.

If the works getting done, carry on and enjoy your summer.

OP I'm doing the exact same as you, except I have three kids aged 4 and under. I've booked in 4 days of holiday club over the summer just for a change or scene for them and if there is any specific work/housework/cooking I can catch up on in that time. Saving about £2k.

I work for a European for profit company and it's well known that many European countries shut down for a few weeks in Aug. Most of my emails today are getting OOO replies. Today I worked for an hour during naptime and am on top of all tasks.

The tasks I am in charge of are assigned to me, so regardless of when I choose to take annual leave, whether now or in Sept, I just come back to the same work. It's no one else's responsibility to do the job except me. I'm the only one in the company with my job role. Pros and cons to this, that if I took a 2 week long holiday, I come back to 2 weeks worth of work to catch up on. And if the work doesn't get done, it's very obvious it is my task.

I also don't take any Christmas/Easter holidays for the exact same reason.

Carry on OP.

Yes I agree with this. I take my annual leave in August as it's quiet at work. When my toddler is school aged I'll want to use it to take him on holiday if I can afford to or do days out with him without thinking about my emails

Yes I agree.
Also wondering about won't questions be asked if her manager knows she has kids

She is doing her job. Maybe she’s just better at it 🤷🏽‍♀️

😂 seriously?

Teachers are on holiday in August. Annual Leave. It’s not the same.

But op working harder wouldn't make your situation any better

No but people like OP who aren't upfront about the flexibility they need and just do what suits them without approval, is undoubtedly having an impact on employers decision to bring people back to the office.

wow amazing, don’t ever leave that job! A job where you can basically take a full month off on full pay without working is a rarity.

I’m honestly shocked that your manager will let you take your kids out during paid work time! It’s quieter for us too as I have a lot of school clients, but I’d have thought most employers would require you to spend that quiet time on improvement projects, business development, admin work etc that doesn’t usually get done during busier times.

They aren’t really maximising their efficiency here but if you’re allowed then take advantage of it I guess!

I’m honestly shocked that your manager will let you take your kids out during paid work time! It’s quieter for us too as I have a lot of school clients, but I’d have thought most employers would require you to spend that quiet time on improvement projects, business development, admin work etc that doesn’t usually get done during busier times.

They aren’t really maximising their efficiency here but if you’re allowed then take advantage of it I guess!

I don't think this is right personally. I think it is a bit strange you have booked AL in September when you have school age children and you know it is normally quiet in August. Sounds intentional. Does your manager know you are out everyday with your kids while you are being paid to work? A few days here and there isn't a major issue but doing this for the whole of August would be taking the piss IMO.

I also have a job that typically gets quiet in the summer months . I have still opted to take AL and arranged holiday clubs when me and husband are both in work.

Read the OP’s posts, for heaven’s sake.

Why? Why have you decided it's better to take time off in Aug, considering it's already quiet, it's wasted holiday. And wasted money on holiday clubs.

Are you full time? Are you spending 40 hours a week trying to find some work to do and paying for holiday clubs rather than just enjoying a bit of peace? If I thought of doing absolutely everything at work, including training, admin, improvement projects etc I think that would buy me a week, so what else to do for the next 5?

If there's no work, there's no work.

What parent saves their holidays for when their children are back at school. With that entitled attitude it’s no surprise you’re planning to look after your children for a month while claiming your salary from your employer. This is abuse of the WFH policy - if I was your employer I’d chase you. But you know what you’re planning to do is wrong and looking for people on here to justify it.

They are having a week somewhere now. What is so selfish about it?

How many holidays should children have?

What is wrong with booking some time for myself? Should parents dedicate every second of their life to their children?

Read the update - my manager said it is fine.

I will be working. It is not a full month off on full pay.

Why are you taking leave in September when they are back in school and not in August? If work needs cover so you can't have time off in August I would be careful. Sounds like your the emergency contact and there won't be many others about.
I think it's ok for the odd day if you are home and they are entertaining themselves but not everyday and going on days out. If I found out someone in my team was doing that I would be annoyed. Also just because it's quiet doesn't mean you shouldn't be getting on with other work. What will say when your manager returns and asks what you have done in the last few weeks?

I work at least 40 hours a week. August is quieter because of how I have deliberately organised my workload , however something could drop in any time and I need to be available for that. My manager would not be happy with me spending my working hours on days out with the kids every single day...

I also don't see this time I get to spend with my son as a 'wasted holiday' I have booked the time off to enjoy some quality time with him.

The 2 weeks that my husband and I are both working ( he is also FT) our son is either spending the day with a relative or at a holiday club. Your attitude is quite entitled, but if your manager knows and is fine about this then crack on.