Accomodating parents for your own holidays?

**Bluebell** · 06-07-2012, 10:48 AM

I wondered how much you take into account parents convenience when taking holiday, and (if you do take them into consideration) when do you think is the best time to take holidays?

I am already thinking about my holidays next year (sad I know but this year I have booked 9 days holiday - only 6 of which affected families plus just over a week at Christmas to cover Christmas week and the bank holidays. Plus I don't work bank holidays) I want to make sure I have some decent time off next year. 4 of the days I had off were for exams and I really should have thought about having some proper time off to recoup my batteries!!

I want to take more holiday next year but would like to ensure I do it at a time when it suits families. I know I won't be able to please all of them but I think most people like to take time off at Christmas so will take time off then again.

I also know some people have siblings at school so finding care for them is tricky and this is usually when I am busiest so have been reluctant to take time off then but actually as a family if you were to take time off to look after children it would probably be best to do it in the holidays so you wouldn't have to pay out for the ones who are at school - does that make sense?

None of the childminders here charge for their holidays and they say it is because the parents will have to pay for care elsewhere but when I was working I either took time off myself, my husband took time off or a family member would have them. If I was given enough notice I would take the time off. My son went 1 day a week so it was easier to manage but I think if it was all week or 3/4 days it would be convenient to make sure I took my time off at the same time.

I don't want to dictate to families when they take the time off but on the other hand it makes sense that if they can take time off at the same time it would be better for them so they are not paying full rates when they have a holiday.

I am reluctant to take time off during the summer holidays as I know this is the longest / hardest time to cover for parents and also my hubby works in a seasonal job as do many others around here so it doesn't make sense then but I was thinking a week at Christmas and then maybe a week at Easter and maybe 2 of the half terms.

What does everyone else do?? What do the parents prefer?

Thank you

Pipsqueak · 06-07-2012, 10:59 AM

I don't is the long and short.

I book my holidays to suit me and mine and notify the parents.
If they ask me to help them source alternative childcare I tell them I'll try but cannot guarantee it.

**AliceK** · 06-07-2012, 11:04 AM

I don't either. We go when we (or rather I) want to go. None of my childminders in the past have ever asked me as a parent when it would be convenient. I do though give out my holiday dates for the year around Jan / Feb time so they have loads of time to arrange suitable cover.

xxx

**loocyloo** · 06-07-2012, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by Pipsqueak

I don't is the long and short.

I book my holidays to suit me and mine and notify the parents.
If they ask me to help them source alternative childcare I tell them I'll try but cannot guarantee it.

same here.

i give notice in january of the week at easter, 2 weeks in summer and week at christmas. i then give as much notice of any other days as i can.

**Shar** · 06-07-2012, 11:10 AM

I give the parents my holiday dates in Jan every year, we all co-ordinate the same weeks off. I have 5 weeks a year, all in sch hol's. 1 week at Easter, 2 weeks in Aug, Oct half term, and 1 week at Christmas. I get full pay for 4 of the weeks but take Oct half term unpaid.

**cathtee** · 06-07-2012, 11:16 AM

Hi I take 4-5 weeks a year notifying in January, I take 2 in May then 2 either August or september depending on which I prefer, my parents just fit in around me. This year the 2 in august parents are having the time off to coincide with me, I don't charge for my hols.

**Bridey** · 06-07-2012, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by Pipsqueak

I don't is the long and short.

I book my holidays to suit me and mine and notify the parents.
If they ask me to help them source alternative childcare I tell them I'll try but cannot guarantee it.

I agree - there are just some times when I will put myself and my family first and not live my life around other people's needs and this is one of them. I would give plenty of notice and then it is up to the parents whether they want to match their holiday to mine or not - not the other way round.

**Bluebell** · 06-07-2012, 11:27 AM

Do all of you charge for your holiday? I want to start charging and I think this is why I am thinking I would like them to feel able to take their holidays at the same time.
I definitely won't accomodate them - just wondered if there was a pattern to when parents themselves take holiday. Interesting about your 2 weeks in August Cathtee and that your parents fitted in with you - it does make sense after all!

**AliceK** · 06-07-2012, 11:29 AM

No I don't charge for my holidays. I keep it simple, if I'm not available to work I don't get paid. Mind you my childminders in the past all charged for their hols so maybe I'm missing out by not charging

xxx

**little chickee** · 06-07-2012, 11:45 AM

I take 6 weeks holidays a year. Unpaid because that suits me. I feel that if my holidays and occasional days off are unpaid i don't feel bad about taking them.

I generally take 1 week at easter, 3 weeks in summer, 1 week in october and 1 week at Christmas. I also take occasional days off for funerals etc.

I try to give as much notice as possible but i take my holidays when it suits me.

Much as i like my job i need my time off too - as do my family.

**funemnx** · 06-07-2012, 11:27 AM

I don't take the parents into consideration at all.

I hand out my years holidays usually by the end of January (more or less). They then have months to sort out an alternative.

I tend not to book time off in the school holidays as my children are all adults and I earn more in the holidays due to school children being off (plus it's more expensive to go away in the school hols!).

I usually take a week off in March (hubby's birthday), a week September/October time and then a few days before Christmas to the day after New Years Day. I don't work Bank Holidays.

My aim is to work towards taking 5 weeks off a year, including Bank Holidays. Only 2 of my parents had a problem this year. I had booked the Jubilee week off but 2 mums (1 one a single mum and 2nd hubby doesn't get paid for holidays) had trouble so I cancelled - when I booked it I hadn't realised it was 1/2 term hols anyway so didn't mind too much!