To keep my daughter off of school for a hair appointment

Oil doesn't add moisture to hair quite the opposite in fact.

@onwardsup4 yup - and for anything like a music or dance exam they want evidence.

They also automatically flag you for unauthorised attendance (and fine) if you are off on a day adjacent to a half term/ school holiday (I have absolutely no idea what you would actually do if you were genuinely ill on one of those days!).

I think YAWBU to lie. Making your DD lie would at best be awkward for her, potentially get her in trouble and definitely be a bad example. Ideally, she'd just have messy hair for a couple of days one the trip, and then you or a hairdresser can get it sorted out the following weekend, but if this is going to make her (rather than you) very unhappy then I think take the day off (but be honest with the school).

This

Our school wants proof of doctor dentist eye app etx

As so many people lie

Sure she can do a half day before /after hair soo

Really, for primary ? Ours we can just phone up leave a message on the absence answer phone and don't hear anything about it again!

Yep but I would tell the truth, I'm very superstitious though so never say people are ill when they aren't!

Can't you do some braids that will last 3 days? Not a full head obviously but some box braids? Give her a bonnet to wear at night and they should hold?

Reading the title my first thought was "what, are you mad, of course you shouldn't do that" but I completely changed my mind when I read the actual post. I don't really have any knowledge of your DD's type of hair but I do know that it requires more care than my children's and it was bad enough dealing with my DD's relatively low maintenance long hair when she came back from her first school residential with it full of knots. If school can't help it seems reasonable to take steps to pre empt problems to me.
I would be honest though. When your DD appears with her fabulous new hair do and clearly not at all unwell on Tuesday it will be very awkward for her and I don't think it is fair to ask a child to lie to their teachers no matter how good the reason.
Hope she has a great time on the trip.

I would just tell the truth on this one - our school requires evidence of all medical appointments so I couldn't even get away with a vague 'she's got an appointment' explanation.

I think this is all perfectly reasonable given the place on the trip came up last minute so you couldn't have organised a braiding appointment any earlier.

OP

Not to worry, just go ahead and do it, ie put your daughter first as one day in the scheme of things is not big event

Oh just saw your update...good decision

My dd also has very thick afro hair and we had to braid it when she went on her residential trip too. She'd have never have managed to do it herself every day. I think you should definitely keep her off so she can attend the appointment but I'd tell the school the truth. You don't want to say she's unwell and then have them questioning whether she's well enough for the trip.

My kids have been doing school residential trips since age 7, and I can confirm that they were expected to manage brushing + tying back their own hair, clothes, personal care entirely. And making their beds! Sometimes friends help each other.

I opened this thinking there is no reason to be off school for a hair appointment, only to read your OP and completely change my mind. 😀

I would see it as vital for her being able to attend the trip, and completely needed. Also find it strange that they will take DC that young on a residential and not help with that kind of thing. Many DC at that age can't handle their hair.

Yes I would do this but I would say something non contagious so they don’t query her coming on the trip

i have no experience of afro hair but know that braiding takes ages. so i'd probably try and get her the latest but earliest appointment you can - if that makes sense - like early afternoon. and pick her up at lunchtime. if it was a dentist apt then you'd collect at lunch and probably wouldn't go back right?

This. I'd be inclined to be honest with the school about it as well so your dd doesn't need to get caught up in a lie. Are they usually decent to deal with or do you think they'd make a problem for you? If they have a history of being difficult to deal with then I'd say it's for a different type of appointment rather than sickness.

Actually, agree with others, give the reason, so they can understand + appreciate why it's a valid absence (and ignorant teachers who don't understand or have no experience of Afro hair don't blame you/your daughter).

I think this is welfare and also equality. They need to find a way to manage her hair and if they can't do it when she's at the residential, they need to give her time to get it sorted before then.

I wouldn't bother telling a lie. I would just say your reason.

Out of interest what do you do with her hair normally? Very long, thick afro hair needs lots of care and attention. Even a top knot would help with the knots etc. Our school have a policy whereby hair isnt allowed to be down.

Don’t lie, you will just look stupid when your daughter comes into school with newly done hair the next day and it’s not fair to expect her to keep up the lie to her teachers.

I‘m usually very against children being taken out of school when they are well, but I think you have a valid reason here. Some people might try and trivialise it as just hair, but they would be people that have no idea what it’s like to have to manage very curly hair so their opinions are worth nothing.

If you can book an afternoon appointment, just send your dd to school and pick her up early.

Absolutely fine - good decision OP, will make all the difference to your daughter enjoying a really formative school trip.

But just say 'she has an appointment' rather than make up some illness. It could be a medical, dental, counselling, appointment.. you don't need to specify what type. If they ask, be honest but couch it in terms of wellbeing, avoiding anxiety, upset while she's away, etc. Hope she has a fab time!

Braiding can take hours esp on long hair