Why is winter vacation a full week?

amother

OP ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 5:06 pm

Ok this is not a vent anymore, I’ve done many threads like that already. This is a genuine question. Why do kids need an entire week of open ended no structure. Does research show that it’s good for them?

amother

Chestnut ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 5:08 pm

We have Friday and Monday and it’s more than enough time. I’d lose my mind with a whole week! I assume it’s to accommodate all the people who like to fly to exotic places.

amother

Antiquewhite ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 5:32 pm

It’s so nice to spend time with your kids. Why do you not want to spend time with them.
Don’t you remember what it’s like to be a kid and have vacation? It’s exciting.

amother

↑ Chestnut ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 5:35 pm

amother Antiquewhite wrote:

It’s so nice to spend time with your kids. Why do you not want to spend time with them.
Don’t remember what it’s like to be a kid and have vacation? It’s exciting.

You do know most people can’t just take a week off to party with their kids?

amother

Eggshell

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 5:38 pm

amother Antiquewhite wrote:

It’s so nice to spend time with your kids. Why do you not want to spend time with them.
Don’t remember what it’s like to be a kid and have vacation? It’s exciting.

Hubby and I have to work. Kids will be with hired babysitter

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 5:40 pm

amother Antiquewhite wrote:

It’s so nice to spend time with your kids. Why do you not want to spend time with them.
Don’t remember what it’s like to be a kid and have vacation? It’s exciting.

Well I can take off work for a week and then I get to spend all day with them and I don’t get paid. Or I can work some days and juggle those days and be stressed the whole time.
Also I love spending time with my kids but an endless week of unstructured time (assuming I do take the week off) is very very difficult for me.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 5:41 pm

sub wrote:

Where do you have a full week?

I don’t want yo say and out myself, but most schools don’t have this much time? (I know the other school in my neighborhood has a much shorter break)

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 5:44 pm

amother Chestnut wrote:

We have Friday and Monday and it’s more than enough time. I’d lose my mind with a whole week! I assume it’s to accommodate all the people who like to fly to exotic places.

So that’s my question really- is the school just doing it to make the wealthy people happy? Or the people who are in the income bracket to go away.
What about all those of us who are stuck home, where’s the consideration for us?

amother

Fuchsia ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 5:51 pm

amother OP wrote:

Most people I know take a family vacation, or at least a staycation. I understand that this isn't possible for everyone, but most seem to be able to take at least a few days. In any case it's nice for kids and teachers to have a little break. I'm sorry this puts some families in a very difficult spot, but isn't it the same thing when summer comes around?

amother

Tomato ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 5:53 pm

I can speak for my 5th grader. She deserves it. She works so so hard every day and every night and every Sunday on homework and tests she deserves a good break. I’m so happy she has a full week. She really can use it

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 5:54 pm

amother Fuchsia wrote:

A little break is different than a week. And yes it’s an issue by summer too but at least then the weather is nice so we can do more outside. But winter vacation is upon us so I’m thinking about this now.

amother

IndianRed

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 5:54 pm

Yup, it’s for the people who travel. Even just a trip to visit grandparents, it’s not worth going for 3 days.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 5:54 pm

amother Tomato wrote:

And what does she do during that break?

amother

↑ Chestnut ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 5:54 pm

amother Fuchsia wrote:

Why is Friday- Tuesday not long enough?

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 5:55 pm

amother IndianRed wrote:

Yup, it’s for the people who travel. Even just a trip to visit grandparents, it’s not worth going for 3 days.

So what about those who can’t/ don’t travel?

amother

DarkMagenta

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 5:55 pm

I live in 5 towns and the girls school has a whole week.
My son has a weekend off.

mha3484

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 5:55 pm

We have 5 school days off 6 if you count Sundays and as much as my kids really need the time off I need the time off. By midwinter I am so burned out getting 5 kids up and out the door it really benefits my mental health.

Ill take 2 days off (we go with a group to an indoor waterpark) and my husband works from home and my kids entertain themselves.

amother

↑ Fuchsia ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 5:57 pm

amother Chestnut wrote:

Why is Friday- Tuesday not long enough?

Well, I can't travel Friday and Shabbos. This gives us a chance to travel Sunday and come back Thursday. So, Friday- Tuesday would be a break but can't really get very far for those who would like to travel.

amother

↑ Antiquewhite ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 5:59 pm

amother Chestnut wrote:

You do know most people can’t just take a week off to party with their kids?

You take off then. Or your spouse takes off. Winter vacation comes around every year. It’s predictable and easily able to be planned for.