Taking the summer off as a working mom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that OP specifically says the summer I think it’s reasonable to assume the kid is school age and this would be an alternative to camp. OP, if you do this can you report back how it goes with work? I would absolutely love to do this with my elementary aged kids.

Given that OP specifically stated in her OP that this is her child's last summer before preschool and that it's the last of his young toddler days I think it's reasonable to assume the kid is much younger than school age and "camp" in it's traditional sense is not an option.

+1. Childcare is definitely a consideration here, unless you are moving them to a new situation anyway in the Fall. Some kids this age do not transition well to different care situations. After being at home all summer with a child this age, I would anticipate a potentially rocky start to pre-school.

So they should skip a delightful, fun summer because it might be hard in the fall? What is it like to live like that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I work part time so I am already his primary caregiver 2 days of the week. On the other days, we have older relative who comes for a few hours a day while I work. So it wouldn’t be a huge adjustment for him and the relative is more than welcome to keep coming while I take time off too.

Older relative? Your DH's side of the family?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I work part time so I am already his primary caregiver 2 days of the week. On the other days, we have older relative who comes for a few hours a day while I work. So it wouldn’t be a huge adjustment for him and the relative is more than welcome to keep coming while I take time off too.

Older relative? Your DH's side of the family?

Np. Why would that be relevant?

[Anonymous]

I would do this in a heartbeat if I could swing it!!!!

[Anonymous]

He won't remember any of it. Save the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would love to spend more time with my child this summer. It will be his last summer before starting preschool and it feels like the last of his young toddler days. Has anyone taken 4-8 weeks off in the summer before as a working parent? I have enough rolled over vacation time but have never taken that much time off at once before. Did you enjoy it? How did it go?

Do it. Both of you deserve some relaxed time together, he won't stay a toddler for long.

[Anonymous]

Personally I'd have more fun with this/be more inclined to do it in a few years when your kid is a little older and you can go on some real adventures. Your kid now will certainly appreciate more time wit you this summer, but you can make some really lasting memories and have a lot of fun exploring, swimming, discovering new things together once he's a little older. I at least have a lot more fun spending the day with my 6yo than I did when she was a toddler. I'd LOVE a summer off to hit the beach, amusement parks, museums, parks, hiking, etc and even just playing board games and reading at the library.

[Anonymous]

I generally take 3 weeks off in the summer but not consecutively. This coming summer I'll take 2 weeks for vacation and 1 week to just chill out and get whatever errands need to be done the week before school starts.

[Anonymous]

I mean do whatever you want, but I don't see the real benefit since you already spend 4 days a week with him and only work 3 days a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly it will depend on our work environment. I’m in the corporate environment and was judged for having a baby, let alone 2. I took 4 months with each and DH took 4 months with each. He was praised (“what a super dad”). I was judged (“mommy tracking her career” and “she’ll never return to full capacity”). Expect this!

That said - you will literally never get this time back with your child!

Don’t worry, they held the 4 months against him despite the false praise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean do whatever you want, but I don't see the real benefit since you already spend 4 days a week with him and only work 3 days a week.

+1

I'm not really understanding Op's post either It's not much of a shift from a regular week.

Humblebrag?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean do whatever you want, but I don't see the real benefit since you already spend 4 days a week with him and only work 3 days a week.

+1

I'm not really understanding Op's post either It's not much of a shift from a regular week.

Humblebrag?

Yeah if you nate going to burn leave (on a part time job no less) go on an actual vacation??

[Anonymous]

I have started doing this- taking 6 weeks off for the summer with my elementary school kids. I love it. It gives them a relaxed start to the summer- we hang out at the pool, etc. We do go on vacation too. For the end of the summer they go to camp. I'm a long term valued fed who works really hard 11 months of the year- so I am able to get the consecutive weeks off.

[Anonymous]

I was going to suggest that OP take at least two days off per week, but then got the update that she's already home for 2 days a week. So yes, I do think it is crazy to basically do more of what you already do, unless you're taking time off to go on lots of extended weekend trips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I work part time so I am already his primary caregiver 2 days of the week. On the other days, we have older relative who comes for a few hours a day while I work. So it wouldn’t be a huge adjustment for him and the relative is more than welcome to keep coming while I take time off too.

So you only aren't with him for a few hours three days a week? If that's the case then it doesn't sound like a big deal to take the time off completely, right?

You kind of made it sound like you worked a normal, full-time job, which is a completely different thing.

The only thing to consider is how much you'd benefit from the extra time and how much more work you'd have upon your return. To me, that's always the down side of taking time off, but maybe since you don't work very many hours it wouldn't be a big deal?