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Exactly correct. I cruise three or four times a year. We have an enrolled 16yo daughter, who we take out of school for those times. She learns more on the cruises, probably, by visiting foreign and exotic destinations. My eldest son is a cop. He takes time off when the department tells him time is available. They have a sign-up list to post your desires, and the off times are doled out by RANK. My second son is a school teacher. He said he wanted to be a school teacher because he knew of no ther job where he ould make $50 grand and have the summer off! My eldest daughter just changed jobs. she decided to spend a few weeks in South America and her employer didn't want to give her the time. She told them that she would find another job when she got back. I may be old fashioned enough to think that such things as vacations and paid leaves are "benefits", not rights! Just ask the average construction worker...

Well, at least on this one, you're right down my line, though I should point out that as a teacher I don't get any paid leave or paid vacation, just the time off. We have to pay for our substitutes too.

If you take certain cruises there are only certain times of year to take them. I have dealt with that many a time with students so it's second nature to me. There's only certain times my wife can go on vacation in her job and they don't coincide with my schedule. It's been a few years since we've been able to take a vacation together.

Be thankful that you can go on 3 or 4 cruises a year. I go to visit my family for a week once a year on average (about what I can afford). I go on a couple of "little" vacations sometimes too to visit relatives a couple of hours away for a day or two. Most of the time at either, I'm just visiting. I went and saw my grandma and grandpa in December. My grandpa took me around the valley and showed me some things. I've NEVER had that opportunity before as our family vacations were often to see relatives and there were always people around them. I felt like a 7-year-old kid when he gets to ride with his dad. It was one of the funnest things I've done in a while and worth more than almost any vacation I could ever go on.

Your son gets paid $50,000 a year? Where do I sign up? Mine isn't even close to that.

I like your old fashionedness. That's the way I am too. BTW, it sounds like you raised your kids right. You should be proud of them and I'm sure you are.

I should point out that as a teacher I don't get any paid leave or paid vacation, just the time off.

I am self-employed. I don't get any paid leave or paid vacation.

You are employed in a profession that factors many things into the actual monies paid. Part of that consideration is the amount of time that you HAVE OFF. When that is factored (time working v. wages), the income for the average teacher PER HOUR, PER DAY, or any other way to figure it, is way too high for too many people!

To any reasonable layperson, it is easy enough to understand. Most of us have a 52 week calendar on our walls! Most of us have a day or two off for Christmas. Most of us don't whine so much!

I have no pity for whiners. If you don't like what you are doing, or you think you can do better, change jobs, or change professions. Self-employment gives the greatest financial compensation, and allows you to take control of your time for yourself. Just remember that your time spent working will increase exponentially, if you wish to be successful!