Should we go on holiday October half term when starting school

[EducateMi]

Hi,

Our daughter is 4 and she's starting school in September. We are considering a week long holiday somewhere for October half term.

My question is, is that a good idea? Would she be missing out on potential kids parties / play dates during that time to make new friends, or would she be too overwhelmed at starting school and we should just let her rest at home?

Starting school is all new to us so any insights would be appreciated.

Thanks for your thoughts.

I wouldn’t, but not because of play dates. She could be unbelievably tired and need some serious downtime. It’s a massive adjustment starting reception and often children are completely exhausted by it.

They are often shattered in their first few terms at school so maybe a quiet half term would be good.

Even if they're in full time nursery proper school is still a big step up.

Every situation is different. Dd1 was so exhausted when she started school - we had regular temper tantrums and a bit of bed wetting too.
DS took it all in his stride. He was actually doing shorter days at school than some days when he was at nursery, and he went up with many of his nursery friends too which made things easier.

I wouldn't worry too much about parties and play dates - believe me you've got plenty of years ahead of you in which to do those!

As for a week-long holiday - go for it! We nearly always go away in Oct half-term - it's a lovely time of year in the southern/eastern Med and we often go and visit family in the US at that time too, as the weather is perfect.

They are tired but we often go away for a couple of days and DD definitely enjoyed it.

We now have two weeks October half-term. and lots of families take it to have a longer break when the weather is still decent in southern Europe.

Parties are normally outside the holidays and there is plenty of playdates to come, a week won't do any harm.

We often go away in October half term and did the year DD started school. She was fine. We had a lovely family holiday in the sun, lots of fun, lots of playing in the pool, lots of exploring, etc.

Looking at my school's online learning journals I can see several of our families went away over October half term, even in the Reception classes. It definitely isn't unusual.

My experience of playdates and parties - they are often outside of school holidays, mainly as people know children are more likely to be busy or away during school holidays.

We did, to Florida for a fortnight (so he missed a week of school too). He was still 4 so we took a buggy, as obviously it was an active holiday.
I didn't think about it, in the way you have. I'm so glad we went, as time flies and before you know it you're struggling to fit holidays in around other commitments

Why wouldn't you?

Plenty of other families will be on holiday so it won't be only your girl missing out on all the play dates. Most people don't do loads in the holidays anyway as they're often with family.

You are overthinking this. Enjoy your holiday!

I can’t see why you wouldn’t, sounds a great idea to me. Just be prepared for the cost OP, going away in school holidays isn’t cheap.

We did and it was lovely but we went to Sicily and it was really quiet as it was the last week of the season and we had a playground to ourselves and relaxed more than we would at home

They are often shattered, as others said. Even if coming from FT nursery. I wouldn't personally.

Do it! At most there might be 1 party while you're away. It never even crossed my mind not to

I think it depends a bit on the holiday. Sun, sand and sea on a Greek Island or Southern Spain - fill your boots, a City Break to Prague- maybe not so much.

@EducateMi
Tured??? My DC were never tired! School was amazing for them. Do not assume she will be tired. A few are I guess but I didn’t see it. Christmas is another issue but then they get hype and it’s the end of term.

You won’t miss parties. Most parents don’t hold them in the holidays as loads of Dc go away. Don’t assume she will have loads of friends by then either. We noticed friendships were parent generated and many knew each other before school.

Play dates were all after school! We didn’t do many the holidays. Not in yr anyway. My advice would be to absolutely go on holiday. Don’t assume your child will be tired. I don’t recognise that at all.

Go on holiday! While they are young, and you don’t have a moody teen telling you they cannot go because they must revise for never ending exams. You’ll never have as much time again as a family to go on holiday and enjoy it guilt free as you do when they are little. Don’t worry about missing play dates and parties - there will be loads of these in term time. And yes, kids are tired at the end of term - reception kids are just tired in general, older kids are tired after exams, long days working hard. Make your plan accordingly. We usually do a week of doing very little in October half term, last year in a Scottish cottage just chilling, the year before we spent a few days sightseeing before the rest of the week in a beach resort somewhere warm where we just read books and played cards. If we’d stayed at home there there would be the constant distractions of parties, clubs, competitions, etc - not necessarily more restful than just going away and slumping.

Especially don’t not go on holiday now because you think you will do it in future years. Take the chances while they are there!

I wouldn't. I'd stay home and have treats and some day trips and do the sort of thing you used to do before she started school. Her brain will be fizzing!

I think they're all different. My DD was the youngest in the year, but she really wasn't tired - I didn't plan too much after school thinking she'd be tired, and found myself going back out with her as she wanted to go to park, see her friend around the corner etc!

Personally, I would go. They don't really know eachother that well and even missing out on a party won't matter. If there's homework, they won't be much and that can soon be wrapped up night before you go.

My 2 were never impacted by the tiredness that always gets spoken of on MN for reception aged kids, they'd have happily gone on holiday in October.