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?

My manager has approved my leave in September. I always book a week off then.

My manager has given permission - read the update so I don't need to worry about what to say to her.

How is my attitude entitled?

OP, my industry is also dead as a dodo in August and January. Wonder if we are in the same one…? We obviously can’t lay off the team for these months - it’s just accepted. And welcome, since the race into Christmas is exhausting so a January lull helps, and summer should be enjoyed!

Good for you OP - enjoy! And ignore all the blatantly jealous posters who wish they could do the same 😉

I am not the only person who has said it comes across that way.

Why have you started a thread then if you are are confident you won't have enough work to do, can take your kids out and your manager has already said they are happy for you to do this?

Depends on what your work would do if they found out.

Her work are fine with it.

Hey I'm not the OP. I'm just intrigued as to why people want to make life deliberately harder for them.
It's obviously not wasted holiday to spend time with your kids, but wasted in the sense of you're available anyway (bar emergencies or being on call). Do emergencies or unexpected things come up often at work? To be fair, it doesn't sound like it's quiet for you in Aug, it's because you have organised your work like that, so maybe yours is different.

I've been doing what the OP is doing, but worse - I have 3 kids under 4 and do this for summer and Christmas holidays. I work for a European company who all log off for Aug and I am mostly getting OOO messages for 4 weeks. I have zero urgent tasks and save my annual leave for when I would benefit most where I can have a break from work (not a break from no work).

You do come across as entitled to be honest, anyone who asks a valid question is shot down and basically you feel your entitled to do whatever you’ve already decided to do.

Not entirely sure why you’ve asked if you can do it.

The biggest question for me is still why you’re taking your holiday on September, instead of taking time away with your children in August?

Why when you can save all that childcare cost on other weeks in August, do you not use some for a break away with your children.

i know you’ve said because you find it more of a rest for you in September (entitled to more of a rest, I assume), but surely your DC are entitled to a breakaway as well?

@isitPeri1 sorry OP I forgot to tag you in my previous post - but have a read here, I do the exact same. But I have 3 kids under 4. Saved thousands in childcare and work is dead.

I have received exactly 11 emails since Monday.

Her work don't know about it.

Yes, they do. Read her updates.

I’d imagine it’d be covered under gross misconduct, the exact clause is usually a Covid response. It’s not covered explicitly in contracts before that.

What will you do if people see you out and about?

Edit: Apologies the thread half loaded and I didn’t see the additional details on your job.

How old are your kids? Because I'd have said that when mine were 3 and under but at 7and 4, even with eldest having additional needs I can still drink a hot cup.of tea and prepare and eat food while in charge of kids. And I don't WFH so I have no skin in the game on this but I think you're overegging it

Are you taking SOME holiday while the kids are off so you can all get a dedicated break together? We've just had a weeks staycation and it's been so brilliant for all of us, yes I'd love a week to myself and will try to organise a few days once schools are back but wouldn't you like to take the kids somewhere?

It sounds the same. Non stop outside of these times. But it is recognised as a break and an opportunity to recharge ready for the next busy time!

People are talking about cuts - what is the point of cutting staff when they are needed 10 months of the year and there are no financial difficulties?

I am asking why do you think I am entitled?

How do I feel entitled? A lot of people said I should ask and check I am allowed to do this. I asked and my manager said it is fine. What is entitled about that?

DH has taken the DC on holiday so they are having a break away.

I like a week in September to myself. What is wrong with that?

Thank you. Good to hear it is working for you too.

About the same emails for me too and most of them I do not need to take any action on!

Read the update.

Does your husband work? Why didn't you go with them? Pretty rubbish to not join in a family holiday surely?

DH has taken the kids away for a break.

We will all get to spend time together in August too for days out.

DH does work but less hours than me.

Why is it rubbish? We often take all our holidays together but we also take the kids away by ourselves too. What is wrong with that?

I do think you are taking the piss by not booki.g any leave during the time the kids are off school

Your work.sounds great.

If your mamanger is happy with it.

I'd say crack on.

I guess thr only thing I'd be sad about would be not being able to go on a family holiday with the kids- I know they are going with their dad.

And I also sometimes take days off when the kids are at school. It's heavenly.