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Original poster

Would you go to Canada for a week during child's GCSE exams?

156 replies

Dramatic · 31/10/2025 17:28

DH's friend lives in Canada. He is getting married next June and has invited me and DH. We have 4 kids, ages will be 19, 16, 14 and 6.

I don't know this friend well at all, met him once at a party and barely said two words to him so I'm not too fussed if I miss the wedding but I would love to go to Canada.

My 16yo would be in the middle of her GCSEs and so I'd told DH I don't think I can leave her during such a stressful time, our youngest DD has also never been left for more than one night.

He says they'll be fine and I should go, they'd be looked after by grandparents and eldest DD. We don't usually have the opportunity for long haul holidays. Would you go?

OP posts:
Oreo07 · 31/10/2025 17:48

No I wouldn't go

LookAtMeWithStarryEyes · 31/10/2025 17:47

No, definitely not.

FastTurtle · 31/10/2025 17:46

No chance.

rubyslippers · 31/10/2025 17:45

100000-% not
This is a critical time and kids need their parents
my DD would be devastated and feel unsupported at a cruvial time if I left her - and she’s independent and resilient
it is a great big no

Pandorea · 31/10/2025 17:44

It would totally depend on the child and the competence of the grandparents.

IAmKerplunk · 31/10/2025 17:43

My oldest would have been fine to leave in hindsight but I still wouldn’t have because I didn’t know how he would feel in the midst of them. We all know teachers put pressure on students and make them feel it is the be all and all (even though it’s not) but I liked being there for chats and an escape for ds where we could chat, play a game. Just being around in case they need you.

BatshitIsTheOnlyExplanation · 31/10/2025 17:41

It's a no from me too. Even worse than being away on results day.

BatshitIsTheOnlyExplanation · 31/10/2025 17:41

This is the only thread I've ever been on where everyone has agreed! And I've been on MN for 20 years!

Fifty50Fifty · 31/10/2025 17:40

Another no from me.

Beamur · 31/10/2025 17:39

Absolutely not. My DD would have found it incredibly upsetting and unsupportive if I had been away.
But I guess it depends on the child.
My parents went away during my A levels and I was really upset but not allowed to show it. I wouldn't do that to my kids.

pastaandpesto · 31/10/2025 17:37

Absolutely not.

GCSEs aren't life and death, but they are likely to be one of the most important events in your DDs life so far, and more than anything I think it sends a really terrible message to your DD that you'd prioritise a holiday over being there with her to support her if she needs it.

I'd be really disappointed in my DH if he was incapable of recognising this.

Parsleysalad · 31/10/2025 17:37

No

TeenToTwenties · 31/10/2025 17:36

Absolutely not.

FrostAtMidnight · 31/10/2025 17:36

No way.

CarlaLemarchant · 31/10/2025 17:35

Still a couple of years away from GCSEs in our house but no, I wouldn’t.

ninjahamster · 31/10/2025 17:34

No I wouldn’t.

MigGirl · 31/10/2025 17:32

I couldn't have left DD at that point, she gets stressed and worried about exams and wouldn't have cope with someone else during that time.

Depending on the exams she is sitting, the yay be over. But I'd be double checking before booking anything.

Schoolchoicesucks · 31/10/2025 17:32

Nope. The 16 year old needs calm, routine, someone to build them up if they had a bad exam, make sure they get good food, decent sleep.

Not fair to expect that to be delivered by a 19 year old sibling or grandparents (who are also looking after your youngest and the 14 year old).

Go to Canada another time.

purple590 · 31/10/2025 17:32

Definitely no.

Tiswa · 31/10/2025 17:32

Having just taken DD through GCSEs it was far more labour intensive than I realised so no no way would I leave her

Notagain75 · 31/10/2025 17:32

I wouldn't go in those circumstances. GCSEs are stressful enough for young people in normal circumstances.. For both parents to be away during that period would be very unfair on the grandparents and on your daughter.

EverardDeTroyes · 31/10/2025 17:32

Probably yes. But I'm thinking of my own kids who all took GCSEs in their stride. If you think your dd is likely to need extra support at that time, the answer would be no. Canada will still be there in future years.

CobraChicken · 31/10/2025 17:31

If it weren't during GCSEs, sure, but with that timing, no I wouldn't.

gingercat02 · 31/10/2025 17:30

Absolutely not, let DH go alone.

IAmKerplunk · 31/10/2025 17:30

Canada will still be there after GCSEs