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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:
Headyhead · 02/12/2025 08:38

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GumFossil · 02/12/2025 08:38

If you ‘feel terrible’, why did you do it?

Fwiw, I took mine out of primary for a week after every May half term until the eldest was in year 5. They had excellent attendance otherwise. Nobody cared.

SJM1988 · 02/12/2025 08:37

I'm usually pretty against taking children out of school for these reasons but as a one off, just do it. You won it and if you wouldn't usually be able to do it I'd take advantage of that.

The fines and rules around attendance are aimed at those parents who take their children out a Friday every month to go away or have days out. Fine's don't kick in until 10 missed sessions so the 2 (AM and PM for one day) is nothing really. You probably won't even get a letter from school.

shhblackbag · 02/12/2025 08:37

Why would you think you're a bad parent for this?

Fiftyandme · 02/12/2025 08:36

Enjoy it!

Happyjoe · 02/12/2025 08:35

She will love it! Go go go go go!

wellingtonsandwaffles · 02/12/2025 08:33

There will be no fine, the school probably wouldn’t say anything. It will be marked unauthorised but it doesn’t mean anything to you - it affects the school’s stats that’s all. What an amazing experience for your daughter - children miss weeks, one day won’t be a problem at all

Hufflebuffs · 02/12/2025 08:32

No. Go and have fun. I’m very pleased for you, it sounds like a much needed treat for you all.

IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece · 02/12/2025 08:32

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
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Don't lie because that means stopping your daughter from telling all her friends about her amazing day which isn't fair. Go, have an amazing time and don't give it a second thought

CuriousKangaroo · 02/12/2025 08:32

You are not a bad mum! She’s only 5, has a perfect attendance record which suggests you are not the sort of parent who lets their child have days off for every little thing and this is a one off for something really special. And you have been honest with the school too. Please don’t worry, just have a fabulous time. Congratulations on winning the tickets - what a joy!

waterrat · 02/12/2025 08:30

The whole fuss about attendence is insane and genuinely damaging in our culture. Many, many things are as important - or in fact more valuable - then a day in school. The fact we can't see this shows how f-ed our society is.

My aunt was a headteacher (now retired) and said when she was working 20 years ago or more - it was just up to school to say yes or no and she was able to let children enjoy holidays/ days off that couldn't be done on other days - and it was totally normal, school could see if a child was missing school for concerning reassons and nobody gave the odd day off further thought.

Headyhead · 02/12/2025 08:29

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

shat does this have to do with anything?

and she isn’t. MY children are 😆!

Headyhead · 02/12/2025 08:28

I’m worried what the school will do?

presumably you contacted them weeks ago? Or did you just drop them a line today?

Headyhead · 02/12/2025 08:27

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StephensLass1977 · 02/12/2025 08:24

Well yes it will ruin her attendance, and no she won't be able to keep up any sort of "off sick" fib as she's so young (I know you didn't ask the latter) but I can't see any harm in this. She's 5!

When my son was 13, a family USA holiday (in school holiday time) overran by a day, due to delayed flights home, which then pushed him into a 1-day absence - we just called the school (this was 2007) and were honest. The head was absolutely great about it. But yes he got an absence.

Don't let the school issue impinge on your fun day. Have a great time.

Farkinhell · 02/12/2025 08:21

Go and have a wonderful day. One day off school in a 100% attendance (especially at 5 years old) is nothing to worry about.

schoollane · 02/12/2025 08:18

It makes me sad that you would even hesitate with this. Nanny state...

OP I am a rule keeper but would not give this a single second thought. Have the best day!!

SatsumaDog · 02/12/2025 08:15

No, of course you’re not a bad mum. You can’t turn down the opportunity to take her when you’ve won tickets. One day of school missed at her age won’t have any impact on her education.

AgnesMcDoo · 02/12/2025 08:15

Good grief of course you are not a bad mum

CantBreathe90 · 02/12/2025 08:15

Oh no - she'll never catch up on her colouring in 😨😨😨

Maryaliceyoungx · 02/12/2025 08:15

TrippingOverMyAssets · 02/12/2025 08:12

Schools governors do interestingly.

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But they are would not expect 100% attendance. Their focus would be on school average and if there are any repeat offenders bringing it down…. Not one day to Lapland for a child with otherwise good attendance

Flomingho · 02/12/2025 08:14

You are absolutely not a bad Mum. Hope you have an amazing time in lapland. Holidays are educational and making holiday memories before your children grow up is so important. Many would disagree but my personal stance is that schools are there to educate and should not be dictating how we bring our children up. More government interference in peoples lives.

usedtobeaylis · 02/12/2025 08:14

TrippingOverMyAssets · 02/12/2025 08:12

Schools governors do interestingly.

Show quote history

Who gives a fuck about school governors 🙃

Maryaliceyoungx · 02/12/2025 08:13

No! Your daughter will have the most amazing time - it’s magical!

TrippingOverMyAssets · 02/12/2025 08:12

usedtobeaylis · 02/12/2025 08:11

Who cares about 100% attendance? Go!

Schools governors do interestingly.

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