Should I cancel the trip?

Just go. That transition stage isn't a big deal unless you make it one.

It's only 3 nights, they will be fine.

I think you’re over thinking the transition to year 1. It’s just “back to school” after the summer holidays. Don’t make it bigger and more stressy than it needs to be.
go and enjoy yourself!!

I've had three kids and I don't remember reception to Year 1 being significant. It's normally a transition.

If it were the first week of a completely new school then I'd think differently but in this situation, I'd go. But then I travel a lot for work so it's normal for me.

I would absolutely go on the trip. It doesn't need two parents for a child to start year 1.
I was always working so my kids starting a new school year was dropping them at the childminder at 7.30am and saying goodbye! No Biggie.
If you won't get money back anyway why not wait til nearer the time to decide

Me too. It’s just a ‘have a nice day in Mrs Smith’s class’ day.

I agree with this. The teachers work hard to support the transition and will likely do quite a bit of play the first week. The issues often come later when the work ramps up and the play reduces. Although most have no issues and both my DC actually preferred the clearer structure and expectations of year 1.

Go and enjoy it. You can video call your children every day.

My kids weren’t affected by the move from reception to year one. I don’t know any who were. But you know your child best.

I think it’s good for kids to see their mum doing independent things and having interests beyond them, the home and partner/DH.

Ask the school how they manage transition. Ours do a gradually transition to the more structured learning of year 1, so the first half term doesn't look that different. They still have quite a bit of playing and complete structured learning tasks in small groups.

My DS is currently in year 1 and the first week was fairly calm at drop-off and the kids seemed to head in quite happily. They seemed quite prepared for the change and somehow it seems more 'natural' than at nursery as all the kids move classes at once.

How involved is dad? Does he do school drop offs some days normally? If he is used to being a fully present parent then leave him to it. If he isn't used to it, then get him to take on a bit more this term.

No I wouldn’t miss that transition but that doesn’t mean it’s right / wrong

The move from reception to year 1 can be tricky, but not on the first day back. It’s more that it is hard and tiring for them to go from mostly play with a bit of formal learning, to mostly learning formal learning with a bit of play. But that’s not something that kicks in on day one

If it is causing you sleepless nights now then you almost certainly will not enjoy the trip, so the cost of the trip will be a waste of money anyway. Is there anyone you know who would buy the tickets from you. Then you would only need to pay the name change fee

I’ve got 2 kids older than yours and the transition from reception to test / hasn’t really been talked about in my friendship group as important. Is there something your worried about in particular?

If your child was starting in reception I might think twice but a new school year-no, they’ll be fine. I’m a teacher so mine just had to go in. Go and have a great time.

i don’t remember a steep jump with mine. It’s an adjustment to play time v sitting at a desk time. Not a reason to cancel your trip.

Every school year has a first day so there's plenty more for you to be there for. I don't remember year one being any different to the rest but mine are in high school now🤷🏻‍♀️

Your kids have another parent, they will be safe, go for it! It's so unfair it's that much harder for mums to leave the kids and get a break, nobody would bat an eyelid if dad wanted to go away for 3 days

If their other parent is capable I’d go.

I am very up for trips away etc but I wouldn't miss the first day/week of any of my kids new school years, even now two out the three are at high school, unless it was unavoidable. Especially if they struggle with transitions etc.

Moving from Reception to year 1 was no big deal at all for us. It's not like starting school. I would do this quite happily.

If you are just worried about the £140 then consider that you will probably spend a lot more on food and drink when you are away from home. I would forget the money and decide whether you will actually enjoy the event if you are stressing about what is going on at home.

As it is booked, you should go. They have another parent who can look after them. It is almost as though you think your partner is not as capable as you or is it that you are the one who would worry, not the children.
When my father sadly died, I took my mum away for a week and left DH with a 4 year old and 11 month old baby. It never crossed my mind that he couldn't manage!

What may be right for some might not be right for others.

OP knows her own child and if she knows her child is " sensitive to change" then I dont see the point in going away at a crucial time.

Yes OP is entitled to enjoy herself outside family life but her child should come first.

There will be other opportunities for OP to enjoy her freedom but this stage in her child's life only occurs once.

listen to your gut instinct. Money is only money and if it’s not some important work trip and it doesn’t feel right to be away then don’t go. You’d maybe not relax and enjoy it?
In our case it’d have been fine to go, but I know that my dc was pretty settled with friends and is used to me travelling for work. But if he’d been someone who struggled with change I’d have wanted to avoid more change than necessary. On the other hand I’m sure if you go, it’d just be a temporary wobble.

Just do it, you need your breaks as well. Things like this kept me sane with small children.

Your kids will no doubt be fine.

The critical question is whether you will be able to enjoy your event.

I think you should go and enjoy it, but only you can determine whether this is realistic.

Whatever you end up doing, don’t lose yourself totally in motherhood. Your children have two parents……. don’t become a martyr.

Go for it! I went, as a participant, in a major international music event for 10 days (I can hear the gasps!) and my kids had a blast with their Dad. They were 2.5 and almost 5. I came home to most of my frozen dinners still in the freezer as DH discovered cooking in that time - good thing all round.