Why is winter vacation a full week?

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 9:10 pm

amother Tomato wrote:

Can we help you make a plan so there IS structure?

Sure you can try!
I’ve tried many times and it literally never works. My kids aren’t interested I have to fight with them to do activities or they are fighting during the activities or one needs me and I can’t be on and then there’s a huge mess. It’s insanely stressful, by the end of the week I need a vacation.
But sure I’m opened to ideas

amother

↑ Fuchsia

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 9:11 pm

amother OP wrote:

Ok so we have thanksgiving and Chanukah and winter and pesach (I’m talking about going to family, we don’t go anywhere fwiw).
So again, you are talking from someone who can take trips, we cannot take trips.

B"H now we can. Wasn't always the case. Some years I had to come up with inexpensive outings and keep everyone entertained close to home. But yes, even then I was able to be home with the kids. I know not everyone can. And I understand it's hard. I really do have empathy. I'm just saying that for ourselves and almost everyone I know this is really their best opportunity to do a nice family vacation so we are very appreciative of the time off.
I wonder, are there any 1 week camps/ programs anywhere for kids whose parents cannot make themselves available? Are babysitters or being left alone really the only options?

amother

↑ Antiquewhite ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 9:11 pm

amother OP wrote:

Well for one is how I can make up a weeks worth of pay. If you can help with that that’s step one.
Then how do I plan an entire week to keep them busy, mess free and not needing to eat every 5 minutes

The financial issue is a big one. It’s really hard to have a pay cut especially in these times.
Plan in advance meals and snacks. Leave out easy accessible non messy snacks food them to help themselves and make a good schedule and plan for meals and snacks in advance. Plan it with your kids so they are on board.

Go out of the house on a trip and clean up together with your kids before you leave so you come home to a clean house and happy tired out kids. Leave dinner in the oven or in the crock pot so you come home to a hot a dinner as well.

amother

Vermilion

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 9:12 pm

In Lakewood where I live kids are not off on Thanksgiving (unless their school has a in-service day!)
Kids have Friday and Sunday(boys) or Friday and Monday for Chanukah.
Most schools have Friday and Monday for midwinter, some schools have Tuesday as well.

I don't find that it's too much but there's are always parents that complain that it's too much vacation!

amother

↑ Tomato ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 9:12 pm

amother Pansy wrote:

But most just had a few days of chanuka off.

Chanukah is not. A vacation. It’s such a a busy week! Between the school party, the 2 family parties, the shul party we barely had time to just breathe and play dreidel

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 9:13 pm

amother Antiquewhite wrote:

Ok. That’s understandable it can definitely be a challenge. You can create the structure necessary perhaps. Would a schedule help?
Make a winter vacation bucket list collaboratively with your kids. It’s doesn’t need to break the bank. The goal is connections and good memories.
For your mental health can you schedule some you time every day. Have your spouse take over for a bit so you can take care of yourself.
Do trips that you enjoy as well so it’s enjoyable for all of you.
Prioritize cleaning help for that week and make simple non fussy meals so you don’t need to focus much on that.
Good luck and happy vacationing.

I’ve tried schedules. They don’t seem to stick ever.
There isn’t much to do around me in the winter. I try to schedule me time, my spouse can take over when he gets home from work, by that time I’ve dealt with numerous fights constant eating and cleaning.
I don’t have money for cleaning help (especially after I’m taking the week off of work), and I never make fussy meals to begin with, but I also need to eat healthy for myself and it’s hard to do that with kids constantly underfoot.

amother

↑ Antiquewhite ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 9:13 pm

amother OP wrote:

Where do you live, Op. let’s help you plan trips.
You can make this fun and memorable for your kids!

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 9:14 pm

amother Fuchsia wrote:

There may be camps but they cost a fortune. I would have 3 kids to send out and 2 teens bored at home.

amother

↑ Antiquewhite ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 9:15 pm

amother OP wrote:

Make a loose schedule.
Everyone is dressed and davened and eat breakfast by 9:30.
Family meeting discussing the day at 9:40.
Clean up together until 10:00
Trip time!
Come home and eat dinner and have a cozy night together.

Skip the cleaning help if you can’t afford it.
Prep 9X13 meals the night before to pop into the oven before your trip.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 9:16 pm

amother Antiquewhite wrote:

When am I doing all this meal planning prep?. If I’m busy with that they’re making messes, fighting, etc. sounds great on paper when I think of making schedule but it never works out smoothly and I’m just so burnt out it by the end of it

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 9:17 pm

amother Antiquewhite wrote:

What trip is 10-4:30?
By the end of a day all I want to do is climb into bed, not start to cook for the next day. Not to mention the mess to clean up before I cook

amother

↑ Antiquewhite ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 9:18 pm

amother OP wrote:

Right now. Before vacation even begins.
Nothing much to prepare, very easy meals.
Choose 4 of your easier recipes for dinners that week. The ones that need minimal preparation or planning.
It’s hard but with some planning in advance you’ve got this!

amother

↑ Antiquewhite ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 9:20 pm

amother OP wrote:

What trip is 10-4:30?
By the end of a day all I want to do is climb into bed, not start to cook for the next day. Not to mention the mess to clean up before I cook

You can come back mid afternoon and
but by the time they get home your kids can play or craft or just chill. That’s good to do as well.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 9:20 pm

amother Antiquewhite wrote:

Right now I’m just keeping up with daily grind.
Yes I can do easier recipes that’s an idea.
What about lunch for everyone?

amother

Periwinkle

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 9:21 pm

I wish every school would do what my toddlers daycare does. They have an "optional week". Each teacher gets off half the week so they get some vacation.
About half the children show up on a given day so every 2 classes combined to form one regular size class with 2 teachers (one from each of the original classes so the kids have someone they know). It's more chilled, not a real schedule with learning but the children are happy and taken care of and its an easy half a week for the teacher (and the other half she's off and the other teacher comes in)

I wish they had this option for older children as well (combining 2 parallel classes or grades) - if a family can go away, they go that week (or for part of the week)- but if not (or they can only go a few days) the kids have fun time at school that week or the days they aren't away

amother

↑ Antiquewhite ↓

Sat, Jan 04 2025, 9:24 pm

amother OP wrote:

Right now I’m just keeping up with daily grind.
Yes I can do easier recipes that’s an idea.
What about lunch for everyone?

Have your teens prepare sandwiches to take along on the trips. That way you don’t need to deal with the cleanup of lunch at home.

Some ideas bagels and tuna with cut up cucumbers and grape tomatoes on the side. Stop by the bakery on the way to your trip and buy fresh hot bagels.

Cream cheese sandwiches, squeeze yogurts and string cheese. Cut up fruit on the side.

Make plain pasta and place in a large ziploc bag. Serve it in bowls with cottage cheese and cinnamon and sugar when you have lunch at your destination.

If you get stuck just grab a box of ready made frozen PB and jelly sandwiches that you defrost and are ready to go. They sell them at Target.