The winter break fomo thread

[Anonymous]

Hi OP! We are here and no fun vacations for the foreseeable future - about to embark on a big home reno.

[Anonymous]

February break is the best time to travel! I know this winter’s not been typical, but generally by February it’s the dreary days after winter’s been dragging on and is so nice to go somewhere warm, and flights are cheap if you wait until towards the end of the holiday weekend to leave DC, places aren’t crowded, etc. And as mentioned above, only 4 days off of work. We put our child in camp or send to grandma’s during spring break, and travel during the February one instead. Very sad that it’s going away next year!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of people pretend to be middle class but actually get $$ from their parents.

Ding ding ding. This is how all these “middle class” people in DC also afford million dollar houses, eat out all the time, and enroll their kids in a bunch of expensive activities.

The are cosplaying being middle class. It’s annoying AF as someone who is actually middle class.

[Anonymous]

Many many people doing this kind of stuff have wealthy parents who insist on paying for lavish vacations so they can spend time with the grandkids. They also probably helped out on down payments on houses and will also help with private school fees and college funds. It’s called generational wealth. Can be shocking to those of us who don’t have it.

[Anonymous]

It’s much cheaper to travel internationally during winter break than spring break. Plus you are not dealing with the crowds from spring break. It’s great to go somewhere warm when it’s cold too.

We travel every winter break. For spring break we will go down to the beach for 4-5 days including the weekend so I only take 2 days off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Come in here if you, like me, can't understand how all these self proclaimed middle class families are in Mexico and skiing and the Caribbean etc etc this week. Maybe this is a more than one kid problem but I have serious FOMO for all these families who can take a random full week off six weeks after Holiday break and six more weeks before another full week off. How do you do this with your jobs??

What job do you have where you can’t take a week off?

Capitol Hill for one or any job touching it. It's appropriations, farm bill, tax extenders, defense bill season... for just one example.

If you work in an agency in any budget or legislative touching role the budget is about to drop so you are in hearing prep.

And then... all the other jobs. Basically 3 to 4 weeks off between Holiday break winter break and spring break all in four months is a burden no?

This is a big reason why I left the Hill. With the exception of Christmas week and the last two weeks of August, trying to take time off was like living out a Greek tragedy.

[Anonymous]

I wish someone would have told me to do the trip in reverse. I have a preschooler and with Covid haven’t been traveling. I am planning to travel for the April break for the first time and it is crazy expensive. I am not used to traveling around school schedules so I didn’t think about it. Have no fear OP, we will be here too and can only send DC to 2 days of day off camp as the full week was so expensive.

[Anonymous]

I feel you. Our DD is in an NYC private. Most people have flexible jobs and they are on vacation ALL THE tIME. ALL the time. I try so hard not to get fomo. And we go on nice vacations too! But once or twice a year.

[Anonymous]

Same here. For me the issue is vacation days rather than money (I have a senior job in big tech). I hoard my days so that I can take a proper summer vacation and some time off at the holidays. Add too much beyond that and you risk being viewed as not committed. I hate it and it will eventually drive me out of this career.

[Anonymous]

Checking in from the mountains (Vermont). Had two weeks in Europe in December, although visiting family for most. Three weeks in France planned for July. Two government jobs and three kids. But we live well below our means with regards to housing, cars, schooling, summer camps, etc. Priorities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:February break is the best time to travel! I know this winter’s not been typical, but generally by February it’s the dreary days after winter’s been dragging on and is so nice to go somewhere warm, and flights are cheap if you wait until towards the end of the holiday weekend to leave DC, places aren’t crowded, etc. And as mentioned above, only 4 days off of work. We put our child in camp or send to grandma’s during spring break, and travel during the February one instead. Very sad that it’s going away next year!

They need to bring half days back so they can start and end at the same time as planned and keep this break annually. No reason to not have half days since they count towards the 180 day requirement making a week or so less needed when eliminating combined records/professional development days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Checking in from the mountains (Vermont). Had two weeks in Europe in December, although visiting family for most. Three weeks in France planned for July. Two government jobs and three kids. But we live well below our means with regards to housing, cars, schooling, summer camps, etc. Priorities.

So nice of you to contribute to the FOMO thread!

[Anonymous]

Stay off social media and your FOMO will evaporate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Checking in from the mountains (Vermont). Had two weeks in Europe in December, although visiting family for most. Three weeks in France planned for July. Two government jobs and three kids. But we live well below our means with regards to housing, cars, schooling, summer camps, etc. Priorities.

Are you the one with the castle in Europe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stay off social media and your FOMO will evaporate.

Or don’t have friends. I don’t know what anyone is doing this week.