term time holidays

Baby_Angel

I am a parent of a child still attending school. Just this summer we had to attend a wedding in a remote town in India which we couldn't miss, due to it being family. The wedding was just 2 days before school start. It was a struggle to get back on time, but we organised everything perfectly to get to the airport and back to UK on time for school. It was very expensive, tiring on our return journey, but well worth it. DD did learn so much more of the language and culture while on holiday, but you do not have to miss school for that. We may not be able to afford this luxury next time, but will not agree with missing schools unless it is emergency or genuinely sick.

vix2000

maman wrote: »

it's a child's 'job' to be at school in term time.

Well that just about says it all!!! Get em back up chimneys, I say. I have already signed the petition when it was started. Very smug for those who can afford it to say don't have a holiday they are a luxury. My kids would never have experienced a holiday had we had to go in school holidays, and travelling is part of their education. Or, sorry, should that just be for the privileged classes?

peachyprice

vix2000 wrote: »

Well that just about says it all!!! Get em back up chimneys, I say. I have already signed the petition when it was started. Very smug for those who can afford it to say don't have a holiday they are a luxury. My kids would never have experienced a holiday had we had to go in school holidays, and travelling is part of their education. Or, sorry, should that just be for the privileged classes?

There's a simple solution, travel independently rather than throw money at a tour operator.

I haven't ever taken my children out of school but they've been on plenty of affordable holidays, but some parents are just too lazy to do that and would rather throw £1000's at a tour operator for a mass market holiday than actually do some research and find interesting destinations at reasonable prices.

Guess which group of parents will be signing that petition?

Indie_Kid

vix2000 wrote: »

Well that just about says it all!!! Get em back up chimneys, I say. I have already signed the petition when it was started. Very smug for those who can afford it to say don't have a holiday they are a luxury. My kids would never have experienced a holiday had we had to go in school holidays, and travelling is part of their education. Or, sorry, should that just be for the privileged classes?

But why does it have to be an expensive holiday abroad?

I am planning my first holiday abroad (apart from the one we had with school) next year and won't be using a tour operator / package holiday, which I am hoping will drive down the costs a lot.

Mrs_Soup

I don't agree with taking children out of school for term time holidays. I think you sign up for x number of years of expensive (or less extravagant) holidays when you have children. We have adjusted our holiday pklans accordingly now we have two children in school.

nodiscount

What kind of cushy jobs do you all have where you can get leave at peak times like school hols?
So many parents don't have this luxury.
The system stinks. As it stands, head teachers can still 'authorise' leave but only if he or she likes you.

marleyboy

vix2000 wrote: »

Very smug for those who can afford it to say don't have a holiday they are a luxury. My kids would never have experienced a holiday had we had to go in school holidays, and travelling is part of their education. Or, sorry, should that just be for the privileged classes?

Well I have NEVER took a holiday abroad and could not afford anything more than a Butlins or Caravan holiday. Still, I would not use that as a weak excuse for taking my Son away from school during term time. I dont think my Son has suffered a miserable holiday or education as a result, not sure its being smug though, how privileged it is will depend on the qualifications he has when leaving school I guess.

peachyprice

nodiscount wrote: »

What kind of cushy jobs do you all have where you can get leave at peak times like school hols?

What utter twaddle.

So you're telling me that most parents have jobs where they can't get any time off work during 13 weeks of school holidays? That most working people are parents? That there are no people where most parents work that don't have children and don't want school holidays off?

newcook

While I enjoy spending time with my friends children and have sometimes gone on holiday with them, I also like to enjoy a peaceful week or 2 on holiday without children running around, parents yelling at them, ‘bombing’ in the pool, crying, screaming, arguing etc so I book my holiday for when its term time. yes, there is the occasional child there covering all the above but if I wanted to hear it in stereo I would book during the school holidays.

Parents know before they have children that holiday companies increase the costs for peak times yet some seem to act really surprised they get charged more! Some parents even find its acceptable to say to some ‘if you want a child free holiday you should pay extra and go with an adult only company’.
Erm no – you should set your child an example that you should follow rules of authority.

Another option is to save and go every other year or find cheaper holidays.

Air_Cooled_75

It's supply and demand which determines holiday prices...I'm sure you'd find a holiday to Greece a lot cheaper during the Christmas break than in July. Likewise a trip to Thailand will cost you more then than in our summer.

There are only a finite number of flights and accommodation, I know it seems unfair but that's the way life is.

I did like being able to go away with hubby when it wasn't so busy though. Now LO has started school that won't be happening for a long time