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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want my 6 year old on an overnight school trip?

103 replies

WimpleOfTheBallet · 25/01/2011 19:58

Or am I being too protective? She's starting a new school in a couple of weeks and the head told me that they have a one night overnight trip in April...year 2....is this really really young for that kind of thing?

DD will only have been going to the school for a couple of months but I read that it takes 6 weeks for them to settle...so she MIGHT be ok...but even then....Hmm

He told me that if a child's parentsdont want them to go overnight then they can go for the day activities....its not far away.

I just dont' see the point of it? He said they have overnights ever year and by the time they are ten they go to france....

This is a state school..is this usual so young...and more to the point do I send her?

OP posts:
Original poster
WimpleOfTheBallet · 25/01/2011 20:21

I think you might be right Gloria....and Euphemia...I will book it in case....and once I have spoken to other parents I can guage things better.
2 months is ages when you're 6 isn't it?

OP posts:
Gleekfreak · 25/01/2011 20:21

Wimple-followed your other thread earlier about changing schools-having done it with DD at same age as yours, know for fact that she wouldn't have done a sleepover sit! Unfortunately girls seem to develop close friendships quite early-your DD sounds similar to mine-quiet and bit reserved,so did find it bit difficult at first and certainly wouldn't do overnight with school-struggles with this at her best friend's who she's known since age 2! Often get a call around 10pm to pick her up! Hope all goes well :)

Original poster
WimpleOfTheBallet · 25/01/2011 20:23

Sying that Gleek DD does seem to make friends easily..2 new girls joined her year this year and they've settled with no probs...

OP posts:
mumeeee · 25/01/2011 21:14

It seems a bit young. The sxhools round here seem to start overnight trips in year 4 so the children are 8 and 9

Mittler · 25/01/2011 21:15

Depends on the child. DD is six, and would love to go anywhere at all for the night - she can't wait for her first overnighter at school. DS is nearly nine, and wouldn't go for a million pounds. Go with the flow.

coldtits · 25/01/2011 21:16

Our school does the same, and I just said a flat no.

cece · 25/01/2011 21:17

My school starts overnight trips in Year 3 but that is one night in the school.

Year 4 is two nights away in a local place.

Year 5 have 3 nights on the Isle of Wight

Year 6 do 4 nights on a PGL trip.

porcamiseria · 25/01/2011 21:24

dont send her, simple

i am sure you are not the only one

Original poster
WimpleOfTheBallet · 25/01/2011 21:30

So if I feel uncomfortable about it then you don't think she'll be the only one? There's only 20 in the class.

OP posts:
Hulababy · 25/01/2011 21:30

Dd would have been a bit nervous but we'd have let her go and I know she'd have loved it. She missed her brownie residential because we were away but that was at 6y and she was up for it.

Dd's school does residentials from y3, 2 a year. Dd was just 7y for her first one, 3 days at centre parks. She had an amazing time and is off again in may for y4's trip.

Only being at the school two months changes it a bit. It depends on your child and how you think they will settle. One of dd's classmates had been at the school no more than a month when she did last year's trip. She went and loved it and it helped cement her friendships.

Ime it it way more scary from the parent's pov than the Childs.

But do what is right for your dd. Children vary so much.

Hulababy · 25/01/2011 21:32

Sorry, brownies - she was just 7y not just 6y.

Tysonandthehouseelves86 · 25/01/2011 21:35

My first away trip with school was a couple of hours away when i was 6, apparently i loved it at the time but tbh cant remember it now at all, am 25 now.
I also went away at about 5 - 10 yrs old with the sunday school, never remember a problem.

seeker · 25/01/2011 22:53

I think if she wants to go she should go. It's not about whether you don't want her to go 9sorry for the bluntness!) it's about what she wants to do.

EcoLady · 25/01/2011 23:39

Rainbows & Beavers do sleepovers at that age. She'll love it! Let her go.

dikkertjedap · 25/01/2011 23:46

I would be really positive about it to her but also ensure that she would know that she can always call you if she wants to be picked up for whatever reason. Then let it go the way it goes ...

frenchfancy · 26/01/2011 07:48

My 4 yr old DD is going away on her first trip in 2 weeks time - for 3 nights!

It is considered normal in France for children to go away at a young age. My DD1 did it when she was 4 and absolutely loved it. She still remembers it clearly now and she is now 11.

onceamai · 26/01/2011 08:01

Sounds slightly young but if she's up for it I wouldn't let her feel left out. Also, you say it's local so if there's a problem you could get there pretty fast. I think both of mine had their first sleep over in Y1 (with very close friends) and it wouldn't have phased them. She'll be safe, it's for one night, not far away, not a lot can go wrong and she might have a whale of a time. Might be just the thing to help bonding in a new school.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 26/01/2011 08:06

Another who says take your lead from your DD. Mine loves being away from home Hmm, she is an only child and I think, relishes the independance from me and DH.
Her first trip with the school was a four nighter at an adventure park in Switzerland. She was 7 IIRC.

brimfull · 26/01/2011 08:06

I can understand you being concerned. Some kids are ready at 6 , I would wait unitl closer to the time to decide.

diddl · 26/01/2011 08:35

Doesn´t sound young to me for one just one night tbh.

Ours start school here at 6 but had three nights away in the last year of kindergarten & a week away in the first year of school.

It does depend on the child of course but I wouldn´t rule it out purely based on age.

Lamorna · 26/01/2011 08:42

You have got time for her to settle in before you decide. I would say that it is up to her , does she want to go? If she is keen and confident then don't hold her back, if she is unsure then leave it, there is plenty of time ahead.

FabbyChic · 26/01/2011 09:29

I bet she would love it being away overnight with her new friends. Schools are not stupid they have guidelines to follow and would not take children away for the night willy nilly if it was detrimental to their well being.

MistyB · 26/01/2011 09:41

Could you go as a parent helper? You could ask how many children went last year and how many stayed over - would give you an idea.

Also, you could see how she feels and if she is nervous, you could give her the option of coming home before the sleepover part.

My 4 year old would go in a minute but my 6 year old would be nervous but would probably still go. I'd be nervous too!!

We have no overnight away trip in Yr 2 BTW.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 26/01/2011 11:37

Misty, with all due respect that is a dreadful idea. Parent helper? I think it would upset any children who were a bit wobbly about it.

ZZZenAgain · 26/01/2011 11:39

at 6 I would not have sent my dd overnight with the school. However, it might well help your dd to get to know the other dc and fit in, find her place in the new school so forthat reason I would consider it.