Have you heard the one about the two-week half term?
It might sound like a cruel joke designed to bring working parents of the land out in a cold sweat and reaching for the vino but itβs actually happening.
In our neck of the woods (Sussex) the powers that be have taken it upon themselves to double the October half term break from one week to a fortnight long holiday. And I hate half term as it is.
No sooner had BB gone back to school after the summer holidays than sheβs preparing to break up again β and Iβm preparing to make working from home with kids work for a whole week more than I did this time last year.
Have you heard the one about the two-week half term?
The bright sparks at the council reckon the change will βhelp families access cheaper holidaysβ, which is fine β assuming you can not only afford to take time off work but also afford to go away.
I know school doesnβt exist as free childcare for parents but itβs hard enough finding employment to fit around the school day without them meddling with established holidays and having to work around that as well.
The kids arenβt actually getting more holiday β theyβve shaved a couple of days off the summer and Christmas breaks to make up for it β but sorting out childcare for a couple of days here and there is far more manageable than having to organise childcare for a whole extra week.
What I donβt understand is why they didnβt extend the May half-term holiday instead, when thereβs more chance of not only having nice weather closer to home but being able to afford to go somewhere to enjoy that nice weather other than a four-hour flight to the Canaries, which is the closest place youβre going to get any decent sun in October.
And what happens when the travel companies cotton onto the new term dates and whack their prices up accordingly, which is surely where it will lead?
That really will be a cruel joke.
If youβre reading this and counting your lucky stars you donβt live in Sussex then donβt be too hasty β Stoke on Trent city council is considering the extension too.
What do you think? Are you a working parent and do you struggle with childcare during the school holidays? Or do you aim to go away? Are you a teacher and would you welcome a two-week half term? Iβd love to hear your thoughts!
Linking up with these fabulous blogs!
Wow, that’s crazy. I agree with you that May would be a much better option! We are a bit stuck during half term anyway because our half term and childcare’s half terms are different so we are having to find an alternative for the second week anyway. I’m sure my husband would rather be off work!
#HumpDayLinky
It’s not Sussex, just Brighton and hove.
And they’ve taken days off Easter too.
I am not happy about it at all, and I’m a teacher and a parent!!
I think it’s a good idea but far better suited to May. It’s wet and miserable here already so unless you have the funds to go overseas, it could be a wet and windy holiday if you were to book one! #HumpDayLinky
They wouldn’t put it in may because of the public exams. The options in the consultation were Oct, Nov and March. None is ideal, and they didn’t give the option for none of the above!
Also it would be better to limit the hike on holiday fares in school holidays.
When I was working as a registered child minder, I looked after a boy who went to a private school and had a two week half term once a year, I enjoyed it as he was no trouble and it meant that I earned extra #blogginggoidtime@_karendennis
I actually think this is a brilliant idea but suspect it is about more than just holiday prices. Ask most teachers and they will tell you that the Autumn term is an absolute killer! Most kids and teachers are exhausted by half term and I suspect this is to help address the increased absences due to stress and illness and the subsequent cost of these rather than a holiday. I would be happy to lose some of the long summer in favour of 2 week half terms. It is about time the school timetable was overhauled. Thank you for linking up to #ablogginggoodtime
I know that feeling. The summer holidays here in Northern Ireland are 9 weeks long! Yep nine long weeks! It’s awful. Then when they get back it’s only a matter of weeks before they are off for what they call a school development day! Then comes half term and so it goes. Really does my head in!
Ellen x
#blogginggoodtime
Yeah, why didn’t they do May!? Crazy. I have a few years until we get hit by school holiday prices so for now, I’m making the most of being able to holiday during term time! #humpdaylinky
Have to say our daughter has two weeks off and we can’t wait! But…I am at home, so no childcare issue…it’s also our youngests birthday…and we are going to Eurodisney, for a really cheap price!
Always feel for the folk who have childcare nightmares though…I try and help out my mates if I can.
Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub!
Oh my goodness as if the holiday work juggle wasn’t bad enough now this??!!!! **holds hands in head*** thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub xoxo
oops that was supposed to say holds head in hands lol!!!! xx
I have a two week half term and my children one week, I love it! I lose a week in the summer but it really does help our special needs students who find the summer too long. It does leave the teachers more refreshed and ready for the months to Christmas which are v busy.
I feel for those who struggle to balance it all. #HumpDayLinky
Eek it’s a really difficult one – I’m in two minds. I think it’s fab if it enables parents to take family holidays in what nationally would still be deemed as term time. However I do agree it’s hard enough covering all the holidays as a working parent as it is! #humpdaylinky