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Would you still allow the overseas trip after missed homework and lying?

62 replies

Atatotallossagain · 20/09/2026 14:09

For context our 14 year old ND DD has come a long way both academically and regarding her own personal development within the last year or so. We know that and are so very proud. She also had to have a very big operation at the end of last year which was critical for her physical health and she flew through that raising thousands for charity afterwards doing a physical challenge that many she knows didn't even complete with full health. That got her a lot of recognition not only with the charity but the school and rightly so.

Two months ago she met a boy who's based overseas and they became quite close. They speak most days via WhatsApp and he gave her some jewellery she hasn't removed since he presented it to her when the two families met for the final time on said holiday. He's a nice boy and I like him very much. His presence, even though he's overseas, almost seems to have armed her and given her more confidence as well to just deal with life.

Here's the problem. He has a big family celebration happening during half term and he asked her to go. We can manage it. The finances are no problem and the timing basically works though she would have to have part of the first morning back after half term off. It's a ten hour flight away though, so it's not like us popping to France or something.

We said to her she could go if she achieved certain things in four different areas. She has smashed two (one personal and one sport related), one she's doing ok in (getting what they call stars for academics) and one of which she seems to be flailing in - getting her homework done on time (which equally means she's not getting as many stars as she should as clearly the teachers won't give them for work that's late). In addition, every time something isn't handed in on time it's sanctioned (rightly) by the school.

We asked her if there was any more homework outstanding and she lied saying there wasn't but there is. This means that had we not caught it, that would have been another sanction.

I really want to take her on this trip. But she lied. I said no sanctions was the baseline though I know that everyone makes mistakes and they really push them at the school. It's a number of sets of homework a night. There is also a lot of extra curricular stuff they are expected to do as just part of their development. It's very full on with long days and early starts. But where do I draw the line? I have implied to her that she just won't be able to go now. I don't know if I should reasonably enforce that or not. What would you do?

OP posts:
Atatotallossagain · 22/09/2026 18:26

It's all a moot point. School have refused permission.

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BudgetBuster · 21/09/2026 17:57

You've put conditions on her, but not given her any tools to help meet these expectations, even though you know she has difficulty with it (likely linked with her ND).

Why does she have use of her phone when she should be doing homework, if you know that she's just on TikTok or going down rabbit holes? Why are you not checking her homework every few days or so if you know she struggles to complete it all?

I'm not suggesting you do it for her... but right now she can't be trusted to do it alone so she needs a guiding hand. Maybe you could randomly spot check her homework? Or tell her she has no phone for 1 hour so she can focus? Is there anything else you could do that might help keep her focused - would it help if she had a big to do list in her room or something?

Jellycatspyjamas · 20/09/2026 15:05

I think you put too many conditions on the trip - she’s excelling in most areas despite challenges and is struggling with her homework. I’d be praising her effort and acknowledging that by making the trip contingent on her homework you effectively removed her options to say she was struggling.

It’s clearly a big trip, and won’t be cheap but if I was happy with the relationship with this lad and I could easily afford it, I’d let her go.

BadSkiingMum · 20/09/2026 15:02

I think if you set a challenge for kids it needs to be fundamentally achievable. But perhaps you can row back a bit on the criteria?

Sorry to say it, but I would be far more worried about where this is actually going in terms of a friendship (relationship?) with a boy who is a ten-hour flight away? Are they hoping to be in the same country again for sixth form or university?

Personally I would be very cautious as sometimes a young person might appear to be very ‘Westernised’, especially if they attend an international school, overseas university or live in a very diverse place like Singapore. But cultural differences are sometimes far more pronounced than first appearances might suggest. I have known a lot of overseas students and ultimately they all eventually go back home and live according to their family upbringing, which is completely natural and unsurprising for them to do.

Smartiepants79 · 20/09/2026 14:48

So, like I said, come up with a plan that she agrees to. Half an hour with the phone to decompress. An hour without that phone to work and then the rest of the time is hers. She shows willing and she goes.
I do still personally think that she should go regardless. The fallout from cancelling could have long term repercussions. She’s a good kid. She’s done nearly everything you asked and she’s only 14.

Tryagain26 · 20/09/2026 14:45

I think you were wrong to put the conditions on her in the first place. It sounds as though she generally works very hard and has overcome difficulties. The school already put a lot of pressure on her I don't see why those sanctions should also be carried forward to her home life.
I feel very sorry for your daughter.
I don't know what you should do now. I think it's very unfair not to take her on the trip but I also think it's wrong to have put such conditions on the trip.

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 20/09/2026 14:40

I would never base a holiday or trip on dc performance. It’s pretty nasty in my view. Either you value the trip or you don’t. The other goals are entirely separate and I’d see them as something you deal with as they arise. Holding a sword of Damocles over her head has led to lying. You are obviously a bit pushy in setting targets in this way. Not something I would do but maybe you are a different culture? I find it a bit sad. Child has lied because you’ve put her in an impossible situation.

Atatotallossagain · 20/09/2026 14:37

She lives a very privileged life and I don’t want her to become one of those kids where she can just request something and it happens with no input from her.

She gets distracted. She ends up down stupid rabbit holes with her phone. But I also know she’s got a lot on and she needs time to decompress.

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Smartiepants79 · 20/09/2026 14:30

You’ve kind of shot yourself in the foot here. Why so many caveats on whether she could go?
Is she working hard but finding hard to complete all the tasks? Or is she spending all evening on TikTok and not even trying?? Two very different things.
Personally I think you come up with a plan to help solve the homework issue and you let her go.

Firstbornunicorn · 20/09/2026 14:29

Is her ND ADHD? If so, homework and deadlines will be their own kind of hell for her. She'll probably need more support than incentives IYKWIM. I'd allow her to go if I saw an improvement, not expecting perfection or for her to meet the original goal.

Atatotallossagain · 20/09/2026 14:25

Yes I know that’s why I am so torn.

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Smartiepants79 · 20/09/2026 14:21

Well I wouldn’t have put so many proviso’s on it in the first place. She sounds like she is doing really very well and is generally a good kid. She lied because she knew it was going to be a big issue and she was hoping to avoid it. A very common thing for teenagers to do. Do you know why she’s struggling with her homework? Does she need help? Is she generally working hard. I really, really think you need to be flexible here. Not allowing this trip simply because she’s missed a couple of pieces of homework could really come back to bite you. It’s the kind of event that will never be forgotten and may damage the whole relationship.
Personally I think she should go. I think you may regret being so rigid.