To recreate DDs missed school trip

[Piratepete1]

DD (5) is due to go on a school trip to London later this month to see a Matisse: drawing with scissors (the cut outs) exhibition. She has really enjoyed the topic and was so excited about going. We are in the Midlands so it was a 2 hour train trip each way. Her much awaited consultants appointment has typically now fallen on the exact date. She can't miss it so will have to miss the trip and is very upset. I am considering a Sunday trip to London to see it with her but DH thinks I'm barmy as it's a costly train trip and a long day. He says to just buy a book of his work but I think it's a completely different experience seeing it at a gallery. I have tried to find if there are any prints of his work displayed in local galleries but it's been fruitless. She particularly likes 'The Snail' but I can't find where it is displayed anywhere.

Do you think it's worth the trip?

[BusStopBetty]

I would if I could. I think it's a lovely thing to do.

[silverpenny]

Why not? If you buy now you may get a cheaper advance train ticket?

[dowhatnow]

I would too.

[TeenAndTween]

If I were taking a 5yo on a trip to London which involved 2hrs travel each way, I'm not sure that I'd pick a Matisse Exhibition to take her too.

But each to their own I suppose.

With our DDs we have done

• London Eye
• Science Museum
• Nat History museum
• Trafalgar Square
• Trip on the Thames

Also

• Covent Garden
• British Museum
• Houses of Parliament
• National Gallery
• Imperial War Museum

[SheSparkles]

I absolutely would-I'm a great believer in if you can do it, you do it

[MakeItRain]

Is there any way the appt could be changed? Our hosp was very sympathetic when my dd's appt fell on the same day as a school trip and changed it to another day quite soon after.

[sassytheFIRST]

If you don't mind stopping loads, I recently travelled from Birmingham to London for £12 - £6 for me and £3 each for 2 children. Bargain!

[ineedamoreadultieradult]

I would take her if I had the time and the money as it would be a lovely day out for the two of you, however if it will cost more than you can afford to spend on such a trip or be too long a day for her to enjoy properly then maybe just look at some pictures on the internet or something, after all she is only 5.

[BitOutOfPractice]

Do it!

I am a "do it!" kinda gal and people who so the whole negative naysaying stuff only make me "do it"-er!

[lem73]

Do it!

[Piratepete1]

I don't suppose anyone knows if there is any gallery we can see some of his work nearer to home? If not then I think I will take her, even if my family think I am mad

[Pinkheart5915]

That's a lovely thing to do. Totally worth the trip.

[JinRamen]

There is currently a free family and friends rail ticket offer on floating around somewhere, I have seen it on FB. If you don't have one yet it might be worth getting on to save on the fares?

[Napnah]

I think if I had a 5 year old who was that keen I would do everything I could to take her. She sounds lovely.

[ajandjjmum]

You're not mad. DS had endless hospital appointments as a child, that involved travelling from the Midlands to London. We always combined them with something 'fun' so that he didn't just get the negatives.

Funnily enough, he now lives in London, and loves it!

[AintNobodyHereButUsKittens]

You've got until September which means you could get a super cheap advance train ticket esp if you have a railcard. Mind you by that time she might have forgotten all about it.

[Twowrongsdontmakearight]

I'd do it too. You'll have a lovely time.

[TheDropBear]

Another vote for do it! Check megabus prices, they're usually cheaper than the train.

[Twowrongsdontmakearight]

But also bear in mind consultant appointments do get rearranged so be on standby for school trip too.

[Piratepete1]

DD was deaf until a year ago and her consultant only comes down near us every 6 months so it's vital we see him that day unfortunately

[LadyMonicaBaddingham]

What a lovely, thoughtful Mum you are. That's a wonderful idea; a trip to make real memories...

[Spudlet]

That's a lovely idea. Many of the museums are free too, so you could make a real day of it.

[grannytomine]

Day out in London is a great idea, you can do lots of others things and she will have lots of great memories. Where are you in the midlands, there are some cheap train options if you don't go on the fast inter city trains.

[blueturtle6]

Do it, she'll have a lovely day, I remember my trips to London from that age, dont recall the journey.

[Hulababy]

I'd do it. I'd make a weekend out of it too - go down Saturday, stay at a Premier Inn or similar, come home Sunday. See the exhibition, and throw in some free visits to a couple of the other museums too.

When DD was learning about Shakespeare in juniors we did similar - had a trip to London to see The Globe, took photos, etc for her project, and did some extra stuff as well.

get a family railcard, buy tickets in advance and enjoy.