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.

I think it’s a great idea to ask about delaying.

also, as someone who has lost too many people this year at young ages, I say take the time off and spend it with loved ones. No regrets

It's a contract. You do not have to take it. If they value you they might agree to re-employ you when the children go back to school. It is quite reasonable to explain that the logistics and cost of child care make it impossible for you to continue through the summer.

I would ask your employer whether you can do flexed hours over summer which allow you to reduce your hours on certain days for pick up or working a 4 day week. Obviously depends on your role as to whether you’re able to work from home. If I worked 9-3 at home, I’d be able to shut the laptop and walk down for 3:15 pick up. That’s still 6 hours if you opt to skip your lunch break or 8:30-3 if you don’t. They obviously think you’re very good to want to extend you. I don’t think this sort of flex for 2-3 months of the year would be hugely inconvenient.

Sure if you work in a growth industry. Although the fact benefits advice is a growth industry is just about the most depressing thing I've read.

Ask employer to delay start date? Negotiate extra weeks off in the summer (unpaid) as part of signing the new contract?

Op def do it
Life is short. Enjoy and they will also enjoy.

Ask for unpaid summer leave?

Apply for parental leave? https://www.gov.uk/parental-leave

Ive done this a few times with jobs but only once I knew I could afford it if finding a new job would take longer than I hoped.

I used to work term time only & only worked 36 weeks a year so I could be off from the last week of the summer term & the first week of the autumn term so I could do sports day, summer fair etc & be there for the start of the new school year.

Ask for parental leave…

Can you take unpaid parental leave? I do it every summer.

Say yes thank you to the offer on the condition you can have six weeks off during the summer. Win win

It’s just a job! Enjoy the summer off with your kids.
YOLO!

Do it OP.
my good friend died suddenly this week, he had so much he wanted to do, most of it with his lovely wife and kids. Honestly life really is too short

If your are burnt out now, god help you as you are still only in your forties.

Will you be able to find another job quickly for after summer? You've been offered a stable role for 2 years, which is a lot to give up for a few weeks off.