I did this for years. The period between Xmas and New Year's especially was always dead, and you could spend your days in the office, coming in late, surfing the web, watching movies, even going out to do a bit of shopping.

With kids though, it's just not worth it. For a start i want to spend some time with them when they're not at school. But even working from home, you have this "thing" hanging over you when you know you're supposed to be working but the kids want to sit and play the Switch instead.

Taking the time off is a psychological break as much as a physical one.