Break: (v) to interrupt or to stop something for a short period.
Break: (v) to (cause something to) stop working by being damaged.
I have two weeks off. In one of them I am not responsible for daytime childcare. What on EARTH will happen to me?
I have just shut down my work laptop. Not just closed the lid. Like… properly clicked the words “Shut Down…”
I will not open it again until June.
I have two weeks off. And one of these is MINE. Not covering school holiday childcare.
Some context/history.
- February 2011: I left my previous contracted employment and started freelancing.
- December 2011: I became a dad.
- January 2016: I became a dad of two!
- September 2016: My eldest started school.
- September 2020: My youngest started school.
- September 2021: I started work at Delicious Brains.
This timeline means that, because my wife also works, I’ve used freelancing flexibility and my paid time off at work to cover school holidays for nearly nine years, if not more.
I’ve had days to myself. And hours. But a while week of mostly-days to myself? WHAT A THING!!!!!
How? Well, it’s paid work vacation time, but because I’m using the time up for me, I’m then going to use some unpaid parental leave to cover some school holiday time.
You see, I recently discovered that parents in the UK have a 18 weeks of unpaid parental leave as a standard employment right.
We are, I know, hugely fortunate to be able to make use of this. But I think I really need to. I’m probably holding some burnout within. I’m slightly worried that at the end I’ll need another two weeks to recover.
But oh my gosh I’m looking forward to it!!
What am I going to do?
Well there’s a big list of “jobs”. Some of those will get done. I can’t take a week off and not get stuff done around the house.
But I’d also like to visit places. Drink all the nice coffee. Read. Play. Walk. Cycle. Make good use of the pool at the gym I’m a member of. It will fly by, I’m sure!
And spend some time hanging out with people! I’ll probably be scheduling some coffee chats with folks.
Perhaps I’ll do some live streaming while I tinker too? We’ll see.
Anyway, I’m done. Why am I still on a screen? The sun is shining. And I’m FREE!!!!!!
YAY!!!!!