Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I feel terrible, taken out of school for Lapland UK

305 replies

MummaHud · 02/12/2025 07:15

I’ve taken my daughter out of school today she’s 5 for Lapland UK. We don’t have a lot of money and her brother was born extremely premature last year and she missed out on a lot of things because of it.

she’s the kindest soul, she’s really clever and she’s just amazing.

im not justifying anything as id never take my child out of school, but we won VIP at Lapland UK.

an experience I’d never ever consider looking at usually and its not an experience I can turn down.

my daughter has 100% attendance, I’m worried what the school will do? I’ve been honest and she will be back tomorrow.

am I a bad mum? 😭

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Faith77 · 15/12/2025 15:55

Indeedcorrect · 06/12/2025 14:19

@Faith77 your biggest regret is not creating memories by taking her out of school

what was wrong with weekends and holidays?

Pleased you went Op. I did similar. Was absolutely honest (at this age she will want to tell her friends!) with school and they sent me lovely response wishing us a fab day (and that regrettably she couldn’t authorise. No one gave a fig, least of all me!)

Show quote history

The nature of my work is that it is mostly undertaken on weekends and during school holidays. You realise that not all jobs are 9-5, Monday to Friday, during term time, right?!

Thechaseison71 · 07/12/2025 14:48

Indeedcorrect · 06/12/2025 14:19

@Faith77 your biggest regret is not creating memories by taking her out of school

what was wrong with weekends and holidays?

Pleased you went Op. I did similar. Was absolutely honest (at this age she will want to tell her friends!) with school and they sent me lovely response wishing us a fab day (and that regrettably she couldn’t authorise. No one gave a fig, least of all me!)

Show quote history

Having just been enlightened by my daughter about the price of these tickets they are certainly not affordable for most people. So as THE OP won them I should imagine that she didn't get much choice when to go

pollymere · 07/12/2025 10:00

We won tickets to an event and asked the school for the day off. The Headteacher said they weren't allowed to authorise it but to have fun 😂.

Indeedcorrect · 06/12/2025 14:19

Faith77 · 03/12/2025 19:12

When does she turn 6? If she's not CSA yet (compulsory school age is the term after they turn 5) they can't do anything anyway.
Even if she is CSA, my advice would be - make the memories and feel no guilt. My daughter has left school now and my biggest regret is not taking her out of school to create memories as much as possible. Education is important but so are life experiences.

@Faith77 your biggest regret is not creating memories by taking her out of school

what was wrong with weekends and holidays?

Pleased you went Op. I did similar. Was absolutely honest (at this age she will want to tell her friends!) with school and they sent me lovely response wishing us a fab day (and that regrettably she couldn’t authorise. No one gave a fig, least of all me!)

user1471497170 · 05/12/2025 18:52

You would be unreasonable if you didn't take her.

Familyvalues80 · 05/12/2025 18:27

I did this too! It was a wonderful, magical day and I don’t regret a second of it! A memory forever! Have fun!

Nosurprisethere · 05/12/2025 13:50

Hedgehogbrown · 02/12/2025 07:42

Just lie. Why be honest? Why do you even feel bad? Other countries aren't as strict on this. This is a UK thing.

Edited
Show quote history

What an awful attitude and what an example to children!

OP told the truth. How can she lie, her daughter is going to have such a magical time she’ll want to tell all her friends AND her teachers.

OP you’re not a bad mum, enjoy yourselves.

Roaden · 05/12/2025 06:57

Bingbongsingalong · 04/12/2025 23:29

Absolutely not! I kept my 6 year old off school today because she was tired and I had a day off work and I felt she needed a day with me more than she needed school. I bet your daughter had a magical day that she will remember forever!

I did this once
and was fully honest with the school that she wasn’t ill but just tired and highly strung
and got a lovely email back to say very sensible

Roaden · 05/12/2025 06:56

Absolutely nothing wrong with this
But perhaps don’t report the absence on the actual morning, as you did on this occasion!

because then you stress about what the “school might do”

whereas if you’d notified the school when you won the competition, you wouldn’t have worried because you’d known by the day - that they’d done nothing

Bingbongsingalong · 04/12/2025 23:29

Absolutely not! I kept my 6 year old off school today because she was tired and I had a day off work and I felt she needed a day with me more than she needed school. I bet your daughter had a magical day that she will remember forever!

TickingKey46 · 04/12/2025 23:20

I did it loads when kids in primary school! If one child was away on a school residential I would take the other one to the beach for the day! Been to Longleat for the xmas light show twice. Went to Disney land Paris for a week and got fined (had a fab time).
Im lucky my kids were very fairly ill so always had fab attendance.
Hope you had a great time, dont think anymore of it! School wont care!

briq · 04/12/2025 16:56

Kids can easily learn and benefit more from an enriching experience than another day in school, especially at that age. I would feel zero guilt over that and would (figuratively) fight anyone who dared challenge me on it.

Rugbyballhead · 04/12/2025 16:52

MummaHud · 02/12/2025 07:15

I’ve taken my daughter out of school today she’s 5 for Lapland UK. We don’t have a lot of money and her brother was born extremely premature last year and she missed out on a lot of things because of it.

she’s the kindest soul, she’s really clever and she’s just amazing.

im not justifying anything as id never take my child out of school, but we won VIP at Lapland UK.

an experience I’d never ever consider looking at usually and its not an experience I can turn down.

my daughter has 100% attendance, I’m worried what the school will do? I’ve been honest and she will be back tomorrow.

am I a bad mum? 😭

Definitely not bad! If you show that it was a prize they will authorize the attendance. Even if they didn't, one unauthorized attendance isn't a problem at all.
What an amazing prize for you all to enjoy! Woo hoo!

VerbenaGirl · 04/12/2025 14:41

One day will be fine. And it does sound like an opportunity too good to be missed. Hope you have a lovely time.

Original poster
MummaHud · 04/12/2025 14:30

CanadianInLondon23 · 04/12/2025 14:20

No! Have a blast and if your visit is after 3pm today, my DH might just be your Father Christmas ;)

Our visit was about 1pm on Tuesday! 🥹 I wonder if it was your DH. I did wonder how many father Christmasses they have a time there x

OP posts:
CanadianInLondon23 · 04/12/2025 14:20

No! Have a blast and if your visit is after 3pm today, my DH might just be your Father Christmas ;)

CathyFitzs · 04/12/2025 12:59

You are not a bad mum, just the opposite because you are worrying that you’ve taken her out of school. I took my grandchildren last weekend, it was absolutely magical and , although the cost is huge, the actual experience is not about consumerism or greed at all so I would highly recommend it . Glad you enjoyed it

MoneyOneymoney · 04/12/2025 12:34

Fuck the school! Ridiculous we need “authorisation” for our own children. That sounds amazing! She will remember that forever, not a boring day at school. You all sound like you deserve it so don’t worry at all. Live and let live. have a blast!

Rosealea · 04/12/2025 11:29

Taking kids out of school for something special isn't a big deal.

I took my three out of school every year for a holiday and they're all doing brilliantly. There's more than one way to learn and educate.

Oldwmn · 04/12/2025 11:18

MummaHud · 02/12/2025 07:15

I’ve taken my daughter out of school today she’s 5 for Lapland UK. We don’t have a lot of money and her brother was born extremely premature last year and she missed out on a lot of things because of it.

she’s the kindest soul, she’s really clever and she’s just amazing.

im not justifying anything as id never take my child out of school, but we won VIP at Lapland UK.

an experience I’d never ever consider looking at usually and its not an experience I can turn down.

my daughter has 100% attendance, I’m worried what the school will do? I’ve been honest and she will be back tomorrow.

am I a bad mum? 😭

Of course not

Clareypoos · 04/12/2025 10:04

Wow, you lucky thing! Of course you’re not a bad mum, don’t be silly. Every single mum in your position would do exactly the same thing. She’s only 5, missing a day is going to make no difference whatsoever. Think no more on it as you’ll spoil it for yourself. Go and have a fantastic time!

TheSoapyFrog · 04/12/2025 09:25

I'm really pleased you all had a wonderful time OP.

Rpop · 04/12/2025 09:17

MummaHud · 02/12/2025 07:15

I’ve taken my daughter out of school today she’s 5 for Lapland UK. We don’t have a lot of money and her brother was born extremely premature last year and she missed out on a lot of things because of it.

she’s the kindest soul, she’s really clever and she’s just amazing.

im not justifying anything as id never take my child out of school, but we won VIP at Lapland UK.

an experience I’d never ever consider looking at usually and its not an experience I can turn down.

my daughter has 100% attendance, I’m worried what the school will do? I’ve been honest and she will be back tomorrow.

am I a bad mum? 😭

This is one of those exceptions - please just enjoy it. Turning down the trip wouldn’t have been the right thing to do. I’m sure the school will be understanding.

FirstTimeMumToBe0524 · 04/12/2025 08:27

Primary Teacher here! Go and have the best day and don’t give school a second thought.
These are memories that will last a life time x

MyOliveStork · 04/12/2025 07:26

Definitely not a bad mum, definitely a good mum. Enjoy and don’t feel guilty x