Yes mil is being very different this time. We were all stressed last time. Everyone has mellowed/grown up!
@Decafflatteplease yes. Well 7 weeks. Back to work/school on 30 January. It took a lot of planning.
DH has been with his firm for 12 years. And after 10 he was entitled to a 3 month fully paid sabbatical. (Very lucky). We had planned to do this trip in 2020 and extend my maternity leave…(dd was born summer 2019). But pandemic….
I’ve taken a combination of both annual and unpaid leave from this year and next year (so have 8 days left next year I think to take). I might have to take a bit more unpaid (or work a few extra hours to build up time in lieu)
DH has taken 6 weeks of his sabbatical now and then will take the remainder for the school summer holidays. That was the compromise.
dd is only 3. So legally doesn’t have to be at school yet. So although she has a place at a school nursery it doesn’t matter so much.
because ds was 5 in September - annoyingly - we had to apply for permission to take him out. We’re missing 18 days of school. They authorised 9. His teachers have all said have an amazing time and a great adventure. We have his phonics and reading books with us so he can keep up (although haven’t done anything yet).
but he’s reception and it’s unlikely to affect his GCSEs or steer prospects. We made no promises of him getting an education out here but he is learning things. I’ve been encouraging him to help at the shop count things etc.
it’s also not a trip we will be able to do again probably. For this long anyway. We’ll come back because of the family connection but stick to school holidays (Easter and Christmas). Coming in our summer hols will be winter here! Ick.
we’re in Auckland now. Plans this week are to visit the museum to get our Māori culture on and see the T rex skeletons. Go to the sea life museum (to see sharks!) and to the zoo (the kids want to see kiwi birds and they have them there so they’re guaranteed a viewing).