General Chat

I feel that education is more important than a holiday!!! and so should parents, and to me this is another case of give, give , give!!!! why should we pay for your privilage!!!

The more I see Capitalism in action the less I like it. Holiday Companies put up the prices to cream off the maximum profit at a time when there is the greatest demand. There really is no reason why the Tariffs should not be the same all year round, except the profit motive.

Roxanne I agree with you that education is more important but why should holidays be more expensive in August than June for example? Juliexx

Is not travelling all part of a wider education? Just so as I am not made to feel terrible for taking my children out of school for a week as I can't afford on one wage to go in peak times, my children will be missing out on learning about foreign money, customs, trying new food, flying on an aeroplane, visiting other places of interest ect. (just playing devil's advocate here. Most interesting discussion). Claire xx

Hi, I can see both sides of the debate and I sympathise with parents who have no choice about when they can take holidays. As a former full time teacher I was in the same position peak time or not at all. However, when I was teaching full time I found the summer term could be a nightmare as there was never a full class from May to when we broke up. This made the organisation of events like parents' evenings, sports Day, school trips and Open Days very difficult. Some children missed out on events in which they would like to participate because they were away. And some parents used to complain when their children missed out because they had chosen to take them out of school. Responsible parents, like Elaine, would ask if their children would be missing anything important and some even asked for a little schoolwork to take with them. One point that hasn't been made is the message it gives to children. For some the message is that school isn't as important as holidays, it's OK to miss school if there is something else better to do. When children reach teenage years parents who have constantly removed them from school for holidays will find it difficult to convince them that they shouldn't be truanting but should be in school. Gwynne

Thanks Gwynne, You have just put into words exactly what I was thinking. Education is so important, children can never get those times back. Heather

Roxanne What are you going on about ? You don't pay for my holiday ??? You don't pay for 'My' privileges My husband works, and i now have a small part time job (very very small) The only benefit I get is child benefit,( which everyone with a child gets) even when I wasn't working at all, I got no benefits. My husband works and we pay full bills etc on everything, he pays his taxes. We sponge of NO ONE .We don't expect anyone to raise and pay for our children (not saying those on benefits are sponging cos they are not !!! ) So why are you under the impression you DO. pay for our 'Privileges' of going on holiday at a time we can afford ??? Can you explain, in detail what you have to pay so we can understand? Elaine x

julie, I agree its a disgrace, but thats the way its always been, peak times are more expensive, I too think that the travel agents are far too greedy, but all this is doing is feeding their pockets not addressing the situation,and in my opinion if you have children their education comes first before anything else, I wonder how many parents are actually taking them out of school for their own want of a holiday rather than the childs!!???

I would also like to add That I would never have taken my children out of school if their schoolwork was behind or they had lots of time absent. Both of my childrens education wasnt damaged in taking them out of primary school for a fortnight Secondry school may be a different matter, as said now it will be a holiday every couple of years during school hols, from next year. E x

elaine!! Taxes, thats what im talking about do you think the travel agents are doing out of the goodness of their hearts?? the government will subsidise(spelling) these extra places, and before you ask, yes I am a British tax payer.

It's a tricky one this. I used to take my son during term time but once he reached 13 I had to start paying the extortionate prices the travel agents decide to charge during the school holidays. I did read by a child losing 10 days of lessons, this put the child behind and would be difficult for them to cover what they had missed as a number of important parts of the cirriculum had been taught during those 10 days - not something I would risk. On another note, I wish they would spread the holidays more over the year as I struggle to get time off during the school holidays as those with children of school age seem to think they have the right to those dates - that is something that really gets my goat! Debby

Roxanne If you have children, and especially if one or both of you work, a holiday is a time to unwind and do things in a relaxing environment with your children Its called family time, work is not in the way, and its a time where you have fun together. And as for the parents wanting a holiday more than the kids, that's rubbish, in previous years, my kids have often said,'I wish I was going here, or there, all we had was the odd day out. Seeing their friends going on holidays made them want to go, and when we told them we booked the holiday they were so happy. and my kids had a fantastic time on their first foreign holiday, my son, who could swim only a few strokes, gained such confidence, that he was diving in 9ft of water and swimming a width with ease. They ate different food (not all the time) and saw a different way of life. They both joined the kids club (their request) , made friends with kids, language was no barrier, played team games such as water polo, (even my 6 year old in rubber ring and armbands) both joined in a production of grease, They went on a mini cruise with us (boat trip lol) saw jelly fish (for the first time) and saw the King of Spain's house. My kids did so much in that fortnight , it did no harm, in fact it did good. AND they diddnt fall behind with their work either Elaine x

Debby, I had trouble getting holiday in August this year (thats why I am going away tomorrow). One lady at work had almost the month of August off, she said it is her right legally and the company we work for had to honour it. I don't know if this is right or not. Sue

Elaine, I really do understand the problems parents have with this, and i sypathise with all of you, but what the government is planning is not the way to tackle this problem, I think one solution would be as debby said spread the holidays out.

Perhaps a better idea would be to not have such a long summer break,and for education authorities to have the holidays spread out more-this would allow greater flexibility for holiday arrangements and at the same time prevent companies from targetting specific periods. Good weather seems to cover May >>>..September in this country. Climate is comfortable at Christmas time in places like portugal,and less frought.

Sue It most definitely is NOT a right - not where I work anyway. I had to really fight for a week off this year so I could have my grandaughter for the first week of the summer holidays. The other 2 girls who both have children said I should be able to take her out of school time as it was only her first year and wasn't important. Between them they had ALL the other school holidays including Easter and the Spring Bank holidays which are the bank holidays as well of course - I didn't even get a look in. I couldn't believe how selfish my colleagues were being so stood my ground and got it! Debby

Debby I dont think as a parent I think I have sole rights to book in July/August. As a parent of school age children, I resent HAVING to book a holiday in July and August, as its the most expensive time of the year. Id much prefer going in late june where the temperatures are slightly lower...and its cheaper But its the travel agents who hike the prices up, and the government who cry out that we must take our kids away in the school hols. Are the ones who take away our rights. And leave those who want to book in these months struggling to find a holiday to book in this time. Elaine x

Thanks for that Debby I didn't think it was right, when I complained I was told 'oh we told her she can have it now we can't go back on that'. I have got the next two weeks off, I haven't had any holiday since February, and this women had the cheek to say 'oh you lucky thing having a break this time of year' shes only been back a couple of weeks. We are not allowed holiday over Christmas, but she has got it sussed she is going sick. Sue

Hi Elaine Sorry, I seem to be hijacking your thread - I know parents wouldn't choose to take them in the school holidays but my colleagues are having to take them (as you are) during the holidays now - I think it's now only 5 days authorised they get and the remainder is treated as unauthorised. However, it is not my problem that they have children of school age! They don't just want the summer holidays - they want them all regardless of whether they're actually going away! Debby

Debby Your welcome on this thread, its topic related after all lol Elaine x