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Original poster

May half term - holiday for child doing GCSEs

107 replies

Madamlulu · 23/10/2023 09:03

Hi

We normally go away May half term and next year my oldest child is doing his GCSEs so other parents have told me 'you can't go away'.

I totally get this and don't want to be a bad parent but I also love our holiday away. DS never studies. He is super creative and loves his art but finds all the other subjects challenging. We are dealing with this with him having extra study time at school and he does a homework club 4 days a week but at home he just never studies. I'm wondering if this might change in the run up but extremely doubtful.

AIBU to take my child away for a break in the middle of half term (and have a break myself)?

Any advise from parents who have been through the GCSEs would be so appreciated.. at the moment I'm feeling like everyone is telling me that life has to be on hold form Spring to June next year and that's fine but I also don't want to put too much pressure on my otherwise happy (but lazy) DS.

Thanks in advance x

OP posts:
AudiobookListener · 23/10/2023 09:09

Stay at home. Give him the chance to cram. Don't listen to anyone who tells you cramming doesn't work. Of course studying properly is much, much more effective. But last minute revision is way better than no revision at all. School might even be putting on classes.

Desecratedcoconut · 23/10/2023 09:08

Given the amount of airport disruption during that week, it seems a bit risky to roll the dice and hope you'll be back in time for exams.

PastTheGin · 23/10/2023 09:08

KateyCuckoo · 23/10/2023 09:07

What about her other children?

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No other children mentioned, as far as I can see.

KateyCuckoo · 23/10/2023 09:07

PastTheGin · 23/10/2023 09:06

You can have a cheaper holiday in term time once he has finished!
A lot of students will do some last minute cramming, so I would definitely not take him on holiday in the GCSE half term.

What about her other children?

Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 23/10/2023 09:06

It does go on hold but it's only for a few months - surely you need to plan for that as a parent?

If he needs extra study time then you should definitely not go away - school may even run sessions Easter and half term for those with lower predicted grades.

And if he does have a turnaround and want to study you will probably just stress him out by not being in a place where he can.

PastTheGin · 23/10/2023 09:06

You can have a cheaper holiday in term time once he has finished!
A lot of students will do some last minute cramming, so I would definitely not take him on holiday in the GCSE half term.

Original poster
Madamlulu · 23/10/2023 09:04

Sorry I meant in the middle of his GCSEs not in the middle of half term. We would go away for 6 or 7 nights x

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