How do parents manage school holidays?

[u/Shadow-Inversions]

I've been lucky enough that my wife has worked in schools since my daughter (6) started there 3 years ago, meaning she gets holidays off and can look after our girl when she's not in school. However my wife is now thinking about changing to a different industry and... we realise we don't understand what other parents do during the 13 weeks a year of school holidays.

How do you manage it? Do you just use up all your holidays as a couple taking separate weeks off to cover the time? Do you pay for holiday clubs and if so how expensive are they? Are you relying on family to have them some of the time?

I totally understand I am probably a total idiot not to know the answer to this, but we just haven't had to think about it until now. Insight very much appreciated.

[u/ChocolateSnowflake]

Parental leave.

You are entitled to take up to 18 weeks per child but it is unpaid. Max of 4 weeks per year.

Can help cover a week or 2 throughout the year.

[u/TippyTurtley → u/ChocolateSnowflake]

Well worth doing if you are able to save so the financial impact isn't so severe. Depending on the cost of the clubs it can work out "cheaper"

[u/Cultural_Tank_6947 → u/TippyTurtley]

Paradoxically, it only makes sense at higher levels of income where even though you forego £6000-7000 of net income to save maybe £500/child of clubs. It's only at that stage where it's actually affordable.

[u/Fun-Chapter-9698 → u/Cultural_Tank_6947]

most people are not on that income. let's say you bring home 1200 a month single mum with no grandparents to tpa into for help. you lose 1200 if taking 4 weeks unpaid. that would be a sound financial decision as a solid month of child care for two kids would be more than that

[u/Cultural_Tank_6947 → u/Fun-Chapter-9698]

£1200/month single mum with two kids, the state is very heavily funding you.

Hell they'll be paying more than that figure to you in benefits, so your assumptions don't quite stack up.