The Zones

School holidays in France are organised operations, all set by the Education (and Tourist) boards.

The Education boards are split into 3 zones A, B and C. Our area falls into zone A. Each year the 2 week Autumn, Winter (February) and Spring holidays are staggered between the 3 zones, so only a maximum of 2 zones are on holiday at the same time. This is mainly to help the ski stations and holiday resorts. February is the most popular time for going on a ski holiday and so to avoid overcrowding and also ensure a steady income the 2 week school holidays actually spread over 4 weeks. Many people will also choose the Spring holidays, Easter time or May which is full of National holidays for their get-away instead of, or as well as the long summer break.

Each year the Zones change order, we will always be in Zone A, but this year we're in 2nd position. So for example Zone B are currently on their first week of holiday, we break up from school this Friday for 2 weeks and the poor people in Zone C have to wait till next Friday for their holidays. It's always a tough year when you're in 3rd place. The term time becomes very long, sometimes it can be up to 9 weeks with no break. That's hard on the children and the parents who have to deal with overtired and grumpy children. Laila who is now fairly used to the school rhythm has just started showing signs of tirednesss this week and exhibiting some wonderfully frustrating behaviour. She'll break down in tears at anything and find everything unfair. She needs a 2 week holiday and so do I! 

If you're a long term reader of this blog, you'll know I used to hate school holidays. I found it hard to occupy the kids and there wasn't much for them to do.

Well, as they get older it does get easier. Firstly, they play better by themselves at home, so I don't have to "occupy" them all the time. Secondly it's safer for me to take them places now on my own, such as the library or the beach. Max doesn't run off anymore which is very helpful! Thirdly, there are more activities available for their age groups. So Laila is signed up for a few "mini sports" sessions next week. She'll do an hour on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of Mini circus, ball games and climbing. She has only agreed to this because a couple of her friends are going too, that took some co-ordination this morning with a couple other mums making sure our kids were down for the same activities at the same times! And of course we have the grandparents not too far away, and the kids are now old enough to be left for a couple nights with no problems! This will be used for each and every holidays to give Francois and I some much needed and deserved couple time and also for me to do some work each holidays. If I don't work I don't get paid!

There are tons of other things on during the holidays, the funfair is in town for 3 weeks, we went on the weekend and realised how expensive it is, so we'll be rationing it! There are activities on at the library and the planetarium, however both are a little too old for Max, so we'll have to wait another year for those. I don't think there's a suitable film at the cinema this time, but it's something I could now do with them.

We also have a better network of friends from school, and I'm able to call them up and arrange something together, this of course, makes a world of difference!

Happy holidays all of you too!

If you have any comments on how you manage the school holidays in the UK, US or anywhere else I'd love to hear about it!