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Re: The zero vacation day dilemma

introvert — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 09:04:10 -0000

I'm with Jacob on 5). It would be perfect if the grandparents could come and visit you during THEIR vacations. It's time for you to start using your own vacation as a family - and by family I mean usually you, your wife, and your kids. You need to be able to go places your kids would enjoy (Disney, beach, national parks, whatever), and build some traditions for your own family now. That goes double for building traditions by spending some holidays in your own home. I value grandparents very much and know your kids are lucky to have them, but it's not good for you all to get dragged around on all your days off. :-)

Re: The zero vacation day dilemma

GeekMBA360 — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:50:37 -0000

Both are good ideas. I particularly like option #6 -- the kids-watching part could be very helpful for overworked parents! :-)

Re: The zero vacation day dilemma

Jacob — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:38:26 -0000

5) Have them visit you if that is possible. That way you can see them after work and over the weekend while they stay and visit you. Saves you all of the vacation time and has none of the disadvantages of the other options.

6) Go on vacation with them. Go somewhere relaxing and take a vacation. Just invite them along. It has a lot of benefits as they can watch the kids for a few days and spend time. The whole family can relax together and take time apart when necessary.

Re: The zero vacation day dilemma

GeekMBA360 — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:23:01 -0000

I hear your pain. :-) Do you work for a big company or a start-up? I know people who arrange working-remotely so that they can take a "work-vacation". For example, I know someone who arranged a trip to India so that he would spend some time to coach the outsourced team in India for a couple of weeks, and then took two weeks off. It's actually a pretty good deal for both the employee and the company.

Re: The zero vacation day dilemma

GeekMBA360 — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:21:04 -0000

Good idea, Ted. We haven't done this in the past, but I think we might try to meet my folks in Disney Land this December. It'd be more fun for everyone, and less stress.

Re: The zero vacation day dilemma

TedHoward — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:51:44 -0000

4) See parents less.
This is obviously not something you would consider or you would have listed it.
I don't consider visiting relatives to be a vacation, regardless of whether 'vacation days' are used up. Except for my relatives who like to travel to interesting places (Nepal, Turkey, etc.), I see my family relatively rarely. I take vacations to other countries or places with good day hikes (Mt. Hood was last week). As a realistic suggestion, you could arrange to meet your family somewhere more 'vacation-like' (Hawaii, Oregon coast).

Re: The zero vacation day dilemma

aandavan — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:19:36 -0000

You atleast get to visit your folks.
In our company amd many others in recent times, employees are forced to use up the vacations for the shutdowns that happen atleast 2 or 3 weeks every year. They call it mandatory vacation!

For people from India or China it is impossible to visit our country within the mandatory vacation timeframe.