Day off school to see Santa?

[MrsPiddlewink]

We've left it too late again - hearts set on a particular place this year. The only slots they have left are during the last week of term. Would I be unreasonable to give them a day off? They are 8 and 5.

[MrsPiddlewink]

Also - what are the chances of being fined/how much is the fine?

maybe they'll be poorly

[Contraryish]

Yes, you would be unreasonable but no you will not get fined.

[1hamwich4]

Don't they already get Christmas off? How much more Santa do they need, really?

[MrsPiddlewink]

Last week of term though? They just watch DVDs and stick glitter to card...

[nochangewanted]

I can't think of a worse place to ask this question...

Grabs popcorn

[EatDessertFirst]

Not exactly exceptional circumstances is it? YABU. Plan it better if you have form for this.

[SilentAllTheseYears]

YABU, but I expect you already know that.
Here, have a tin hat....

[MoHintawnFein]

Not a bit unreasonable - go and enjoy it and bah humbug to those who say it IS unreasonable to take ONE day off to go see Santa. It's a short period of time in a lifetime when seeing Santa is a highlight!! Make the most of it.

[Ericaequites]

No, as visiting Santa at a busy shop full of germs is a pointless activity. People are ridiculous about child protection and stranger danger, but it's alright to sit inSanta's lap and pretend he sneaks in to leave presents.

[Iggi999]

Maybe Santa will tell them they're getting coal as they have skived school.

[MrsPiddlewink]

EatDessert - it was a cash flow problem rather than poor planning that meant we haven't been able to book earlier. But I get your point.

[1hamwich4]

Well when I was at school the glitter and pissing about was one of the things I liked about Christmas. Nice build up, with all my mates. Carol concerts. All the foil decorations you could shake a stick at.

More seriously in your place I'd think I would be setting an unhelpful precedent for DD to use on future occasions when I didn't want to take her out. Thin end of the wedge.

[Sunna]

YABU - if it was that important you'd have booked in time.

[MrsPiddlewink]

It's Longleat - not a shop.

[CurlyWurlyCake]

Do it.

Go and have fun.

[ShatnersBassoon]

The week running up to Christmas in schools is brilliant fun. Choose a different grotto, then nobody feels torn, or misses out on anything or has to lie.

[MrsPiddlewink]

Was thinking to overcome that, 1hamwich4, I'll just tell them it's Sunday

[MrsPiddlewink]

"The week running up to Christmas in schools is brilliant fun"

They'll still get 4 days of that though...

[1hamwich4]

I'd just do it next year. Save the cash now. If it's that short, you're better off saving it anyway.

No matter how fantastic you think something will be, children always have a knack of be completely unimpressed with the bits that make something expensive, and totally blissed out by a really trivial part that you could have got for tuppence ha'penny.

[ShatnersBassoon]

Yes, I know. Go to a different grotto at the weekend and they get more of the fun stuff and don't have to lie to their teacher.

[IsItMeOr]

YABU.

I don't think I'd get away with telling my 5yo that a weekend had an extra day in it. Surely your 8yo wouldn't fall for that?

[MrsPiddlewink]

Not short of cash - was just tied up temporarily!

Thing is with next year - DS1 already asking 'questions' and I think this may be the last year that they all believe

[littlemslazybones]

Yes it's unreasonable. Go and do it anyway though, life is short.

[ShatnersBassoon]

No matter how fantastic you think something will be, children always have a knack of be completely unimpressed with the bits that make something expensive, and totally blissed out by a really trivial part that you could have got for tuppence ha'penny.

Totally agree. A grotto is a grotto when you are young enough to believe. My kids don't remember the fantastic grotto in Selfridges, but they do remember being allowed to go on the stage to see santa at the really awful Rotary Club grotto at the local leisure centre