With young kids, I feel like I’m using mine up 4 hours at a time because someone is either sick, or, there’s something going on at school and I have to be out of the office for part of the day.

I try to make sure I have enough time saved for Christmas and summer vacation, but, I’m always torn about what I call the “minor” holidays.

In our part of the country, Spring Break is a big deal, and, actually Winter Break is becoming one. I mean, we are a “breaking” kind of crowd, and, there’s an unwritten rule that you have to be able to provide an answer other than “nowhere” when someone asks where you went for break.

As the kids get older, the pressure to “go somewhere” builds. Let’s pretend for a moment we can actually afford to go somewhere (I know! But, hey it’s my imaginary scenario, OK?), do I use up vacation time for this knowing that summer is only a few weeks away? My husband is a teacher, and, he doesn’t have this problem.

Granted, I don’t have as much vacation time as some people since that balance hasn’t really ever recovered since my mother was sick and died, but, I suspect some of you have to set priorities with your vacation time, too.

What about occasions such a the Fourth of July, or another long weekend? Do you use vacation time that might be more needed later? Or, do you just “go for it”, and, worry about Christmas when it gets here.

I’ve made a couple of compromises about “minor holidays” and vacation time. Sometimes, if we go somewhere, we make it a short trip. For example, Spring Break is a week, but, we’ve gone on 3 day trips so I don’t have to use as much time, and, it has the added bonus of getting to both travel and, relax at home during the break.

Other times, my husband has taken the kids somewhere for a couple of days and I’ve stayed home. That way, the kids get to do something, but, they’re not gone a long time, and, I get some time to myself without having to miss work.

How about you? Have you had to prioritize how to use your benefit time at work?

Post from: Blisstree

Vacation hours and the minor holidays