To leave good job because I want the summer off

[SunnySuze]

Have been employed now for 18 months, on a fixed term. Employer has offered me a new contract for two years but I really want the summer off to have freedom and to not do much frankly. I’ve saved a bit of my salary £5000, and all bills would be covered fine but it does mean we’d loose the extra nice bits like impromptu takeaways and whatnots.
I’ve dreams of getting the kids after school and heading to the park rather than the usual after school club pick ups, rush tea, then bed.
Am I mad? DH is supportive of whatever I choose.

Can you ask for unpaid leave over the summer or even cutting down to half time, especially if the summer is usually quiet at work? It is worth asking

Reading this I’m assuming you don’t “need” to work ie DH will fund everything? I can’t imagine being this casual about family income unless that’s the case.

i would ask them to agree a break. I have done this before for contractors who wanted the summer off for the same reason

im kind of in awe of your don’t get a fuck about it all

If you can afford it, yes, spend the summer with your children.

Would you like another job after the summer?

I would accept the contract on the basis you can take a month's unpaid leave or whatever it is you want. You don't ask, don't get. Worth a conversation before you decide isn't it. If an employee asked me I'd be tempted to agree - recruitment is a nightmare and I'd rather know someone was coming back than have to try and find someone new which would take all that time anyway - unless they could replace you immediately. Really depends on your job. Are you a highly paid strategic role or a reception temp they could get someone in for tomorrow? Ask.

You could apply for unpaid parental leave I er the summer. You can take up to 4 weeks per child per year. Your employer would have to have a good business reason to not allow it and even then, they could.only delay it.

As others have said, I’d see if you can negotiate a short break between the two contracts or some part-time weeks over the summer, citing childcare, before turning down a job with nothing else to go to come September.

I think you sound exactly as burnt out as most women in our 40s - which is not to say you’re not tired with it all, but burnt out sounds an exaggeration.

Obviously the summer off sounds brilliant. I would like the summer off. I would have liked every summer off since my children were small! But I can’t afford that sadly.

I would go back to the employer and see if you can agree a delayed start or part time (depending on preference). If you can delay the start, at least you’ll get a bit of time, if not the whole summer (which seems incredibly luxurious!). If you get part time, then you can at least “head to the park” some
days after school, and have time to get things done during the day.

This is a good shout too.

YANBU - do it!

Obviously it’s your decision in the end and you’ll be the one going without pay whilst off, and if you just quit having that insecurity going forward. It doesn’t affect the rest of us! I think people are just trying to counsel caution.

YANBU. Life is short.

I have done this a couple of times ie, leaving a job with nothing to go to, but have had a dh who can support us financially and a lot in savings - like over £50k.
First time was to go travelling, then I freelanced and got pregnant w first DC. More recently I left a job after the first lockdown - then did some ad hoc work for a few months until I got my last job through word of mouth (also admin). You could ask for the new contract to start a bit later - say you’ve planned a holiday.

When does your current contract end?
Can you ask to delay the start date on the new 2year one? Or to go part time?

Childcare over the school holidays is a good reason to ask for the delay - costs, limited availability etc...they might be more agreeable than if you say you are burnt out or fed up of working, which risk making you sound like a liability

Definitely do it. Or at least speak with them about delaying the start of the contract to September.

Could you ask to go part time for the 6 weeks summer holidays?

£5K is nothing. Take two or three weeks' AL instead.

No one knows how employable you are, all the comments about the job market are sort of irrelevant because it’s totally dependant on your line of work.

This!

Are you full time? Is there any way your employer would consider you doing part time? That way you’d still get some of the summer with your kids but won’t lose the security of a job. Best of both worlds.

For the sake of your kids and family, please choose financial security over a summer off….!

£5k won’t go far and once it’s gone you’re back out there in the Wild West of job hunting when you know you gave up a good position

I won’t they whether it reasonable or unreasonable but given the job market right now please take the job. You can do it for another year and save a bit more and the market will improve in the meantime. Trust me your family will appreciate you less stressed next year when the market is easier. I hope you don’t mind me saying. Girl to girl advise given the market is all I am offering

Life is far too short - if you can afford to do this then do it.

If you are happy not getting another job for 2-3 yeaes then go for it! Job market is very bad atm.

https://www.gov.uk/parental-leave