Birthday day off school.

[Helpmeout124]

I know this will be controversial but I'm allowing my son to have 1 day off school to take him to London for his birthday, usually he goes to school on his birthday and will again next year but he's been having a really hard time at school lately, lots of friendship issues and coming home upset. And to be completely honest I just feel like he needs this. He needs a day where the 3 of us myself, him and his stepdad get away and just have a day that's all about him. We're going to London on the train first thing, we wants to go both museums, see the sights of London, go shopping at hamleys, and then I've booked tickets to see the lion king at the theatre in the evening, it's going to be a fantastic day and hopefully one he will always remember, but I feel a little guilty for booking it on his actual birthday ( a Wednesday) and not waiting for the weekend.

“Dubious about going” “ slightly less busy and terrifying”

It’s a big city , not a war zone!

I assume by both museums you mean the Science Museum and the Natural History ( other London Museums are available 🙂). I would stick to one, depending on his interests, they are huge places, take your time and enjoy whichever one you choose rather than feeling you have to rush to get to the other one. They have been there since Victorias time , they will be there for another visit. Same with the sights, far too much in London for one trip. Maybe after the museum head to Trafalgar Square ( Nelsons 200 Anniversary apparently) via the District Line to Embankment from South Kensington, then walk down to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament,and the Thames, then wander up to see the gates outside Downing Street. Or from Trafalgar Square walk down to see Buckingham Palace - look out for Nelson’s ships sailing along on the lamp posts. That is probably enough sights for one day. Wrap up warm, it is bitter in London atm.

We will go to whatever one he's more interested in on the day first (more than likely the history museum as he loves dinosaurs) and depending on how long that takes will play by ear what we do next, there's no real set plan in place other than the lion king tickets we've booked.

On my most recent trip to London I did both the natural history museum and lion king. Both were unbelievable and you’re going to have a great time. Use your Apple Maps app to get around using the public transport mode and it will literally tell you step by step which tube to get and to where. Enjoy!

That's really useful advice thankyou I will definetly do that ☺️

That sounds like a wonderful day, hope he has a fab time. I'd probably book a night in a hotel too and make it 2 days 😁😁😁

A bit bonkers to have your own sacred day for a birthday for a child ( twenty plus years at Primary have taught me that it's very unusual) but , as is the mantra nowadays, 'you do you.'

Just hope that your child isn't supposed to be learning multiplication on that day!

One day isn't going to hurt.
Will do him the world of good if he's been having an hard time.
Hope you all have a fabulous day.

Do it op. And put on his absence record "mental health day". I've never been questioned on it, and it makes a huge difference to my DDs wellbeing. Can't say we've done it on her birthday, but that's irrelevant. Sometimes a bit of down time doesn't hurt.

@Helpmeout124 I think that's a fantastic idea. Go, and have fun. Bear in mind, though, if you're not used to London that is a very busy and tiring day....

I think it’s a nice idea OP, it will be an educational experience for him visiting the museums and it will be good for him to have a day off if he’s been having some difficulties. A child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health.

I always book my birthday off work it’s not really any different 🤷🏼‍♀️

P.S it will also combine an Educational day out.
My gosh some people on here having a go..
Need to get over themselves.
I'm so glad my Grandsons are home educated..
The home Ed groups they go to are absolutely amazing.. no bullying no nastiness..
and best of all the parents are with them.
They have Educational days out.

I think a birthday treat need not be on the actual day, indeed it could be a few days afterwards as a reward for actually going on his birthday.

Go for it.

I think it sounds like an excellent plan and while normally I’m a stickler for rules and attendance and all of that, here I think it sends him exactly the right message which is that he is special and precious and worth celebrating. Have a lovely day.

Don't sweat it

Learning to pull a sickie is an important life skill

You're doing the right thing OP. At his age he's old enough to know it's not a mixed message and it doesn't constitute a precedent. Some posters on here must have poor communication skills if they couldn't express this.

Enjoy your day and I hope things pick up for him very soon.

One day off is fine but bear in mind it may turn into two as he'll be shattered after all that, especially as the show will finish about 10pm.

My kid's school gives him a day off for his birthday; he's a teacher. And because his birthday falls on a Sunday this year, he can take Mon off instead.

God, you horrible, judgmental, fun sponge.

Ignore this post OP! You only get one childhood! Go and have an amazing time. Your child will remember this day forever 💓

Was there a point in posting since you intend to do it?

You could do the bits he wants to see in the history museum then on Piccadilly line to Hamleys.

From there head to Chinatown for food and then Leicester Square, Covent Garden and on to the Lion King.

Buses are a good option OP. If you've not been for decades you simply tap on (different contactless card for each adult, your son is free)

For the tube tap on and off.

I'd definitely fit in a detour to see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the South Bank rather than a second museum.

Have a brilliant day. (And no, I don't take my kids out on their birthdays, but if he was being called names everyday and the school weren't helping then of course I would!)

Good for you. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Great Have a wonderful day