‘Six weeks of summer vacation is no longer of this time’
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Now that everyone and your mother are on vacation… the summer fun, but also the stress for many parents has started. The puzzle of too few own vacation days, insufficient childcare and the children at home 24/7… is sometimes almost impossible to solve. Should we therefore get rid of the fixed school holidays and be able to take flexible holidays?
We asked you on our social media channels and the response has been divided.
Johanna: “I am in favor of it, especially in a world where flexibility is expected. We shouldn’t pretend that there is no structure for the rest of the year. Of course children want structure, but making my children worldly wise is also important to me. Introducing them to a different language, currency and culture, etc. In high season, that is priceless for some parents.”
Ilse: “Children need structure. And me as a parent actually too. I do allow the summer holidays to go back to four weeks and then leave the other two weeks free to spend elsewhere.”
Kimberley’s son is already in such a flexible school. “We can spend three weeks there ourselves. I think it’s ideal!”
Anja: “Ideal for entrepreneurs with children whose business must remain open during the holiday period. Can they also go on holiday with the family, but it seems impossible to realize.”
Kim: “Make the summer holidays shorter by a week and give each student five days to fill in for themselves, for a weekend away, for example.”
Nikki: “I totally agree. Six weeks of summer vacation is no longer of this time. Four weeks of summer vacation and being able to take the rest flexibly would be great.”
Jennifer: “That way you can keep going. Accept that it’s part of having kids and remember it’s not forever. Sometimes we go a bit too far in our society, by adjusting everything.”
“Sometimes we go a bit too far in our society: accept that it is part of the game”
Lena: “How do you envision that? Teaching material is given per class. Do teachers have to teach children separately thirty times a year?”
Nancy stands in front of the class and also says ‘no’ to flexible holidays. “Have you discussed certain material with the group, two weeks later another one comes back from holiday and you can therefore repeat it again. The regularity is also nice for children. Starting up together after a holiday, together the school rhythm.”
Catherine wonders when the teachers can go on vacation. “And who is in front of the class? There is absolutely no replacement available, which is not nice for the children in the class either. The interest of the children must come first, not the parents!”
Lineke thinks it would be ideal with the current shortage of personnel in some sectors. “And that way you give parents who have less to spend the opportunity to go on holiday outside the high season.”
Monique can be brief about it: “What chaos that would be.”
What do you think?
