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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to take my children out of school for a day to go and see a show?

70 replies

Crevix · 05/05/2011 15:57

got a chance to get cheap-ish tickets but it means them missing a day of school. They will be yr 9 and 11.

I have never done this before - I don't really approve but, and this a very large BUT, both have missed out on school trips recently (more than once) due to school policy of pulling names out of a hat, which pisses me off a bit.

So should I through caution to the wind and book it? and if so do I then tell school we have a nasty case of D&V or the truth?

OP posts:
StillSquiffy · 05/05/2011 16:18

Given what you say about your DD, no I wouldn't even consider it. It's not the fact that it's just one day, it's the message that rules can be ignored sometimes, if it suits.

Sorry.

Original poster
Crevix · 05/05/2011 16:19

the yr 11 thing is a worry but DD1 is a girly swot who works really really hard and is waaay ahead with coursework and stuff. obviously if something important was happening that day i wouldn't consider it.

OP posts:
ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 05/05/2011 16:19

IMO YABU.

I think I'd say go for it if the children were in primary school but in years 9 and 11, one day may potentially be an important day where they miss a mock exam for GCSEs or something along those lines. And in Decemeber in yr 11 they might actually have the proper exams. They don't just do them in MAy/June now do they?

I agree with mutt if DD2 has prviously refused to attend school, you have obviously worked hard to get her at a stage where she is attending but now you'll be saying it's ok to just have a day off, the opposite of what you've been trying to teach her.

Just wait until the half term. You'll have time to save up if you wait.

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 05/05/2011 16:20

And I clearly cannot spell today Blush

Original poster
Crevix · 05/05/2011 16:20

she ignores all other rules or normal life, what's one more?

OP posts:
nenevomito · 05/05/2011 16:21

For one day off, I'd not fret. Take them and have a good time.

nenevomito · 05/05/2011 16:22

Yr 11 tend to have mock exams in January - its one day, not two weeks.

Original poster
Crevix · 05/05/2011 16:23

bollocks. i was hoping for a resounding 'You are not just unreasonable but insane and a bad parent' or alternatively 'stop being so anal and have fun'

oh what to do?/??????????

OP posts:
Oakmaiden · 05/05/2011 16:25

Talk to the school about it. Assuming they are not a school which automatically refuse all term time holidays.

Then it is an authorised day off. Or if they think it is a really bad idea they can tell you why.

If she was actually ill she would miss a day of school and it wouldn't ruin all chances of her doing well. It is only one day, people - not a fortnight's holiday!

Original poster
Crevix · 05/05/2011 16:29

i strongly suspect school will disapprove. last ballet exam DD1 did I had to be rather firm with them to let her out for 2 hours. this is frivolity and a jaunt. not educational in the slightest.

OP posts:
Original poster
Crevix · 05/05/2011 16:31

i don't think i will. too many things against and not enough fors.

OP posts:
TheVisitor · 05/05/2011 16:50

Do it. The mocks will be over and they'll be winding down towards the end of term. One day will not make the Year 11 child fail their GCSEs.

lubberlich · 05/05/2011 16:54

Absolutely do it. Great sneaky day out as a family.
I cannot believe how sanctimonious people are about one frigging day off!

usualsuspect · 05/05/2011 16:56

Has no one on here ever took a sneaky day off work?

TeamLemon · 05/05/2011 16:57

I'd do it.
And I'm a teacher.
Don't lie to the school though.

DollyTwat · 05/05/2011 16:59

I think I'd do it for one day.

Mine are in primary and I'm considering doing just the same for a show in London.

But do you tell the school or do you say they have a sickness bug?
I'm not sure I can trust mine not to tell

Maryz · 05/05/2011 17:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheVeryAngryMumapillar · 05/05/2011 17:04

YANBU...take them. I would!

forwantofabetter1 · 05/05/2011 17:10

For Gawd sake!! YANBU its one fecking day!!

Take them out enjoy the show BUT dont lie to the school cos the kids will only drop you in it!

southeastastra · 05/05/2011 17:21

what play is it for? if it's something like the loin king that yabu Grin

CandiceMariePratt · 05/05/2011 17:25

I would take them, one day off school won't make a difference

shopaholicJen · 05/05/2011 17:26

The Loin (sp) King? well that's definitely not on Wink

Nanny0gg · 05/05/2011 18:30

As long as anyone who takes their child out of school (especially 'telling' not 'asking') is happy with Unauthorised Absence on their report, then go ahead...

(Is it just me who can't get the formatting to work?)

BeerTricksPotter · 05/05/2011 18:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

berylmuspratt · 05/05/2011 19:06

I work in my DS's primary school. I didn't realise until I started working there that all pupils are allowed 10 days off per year in addition to school holidays but this is at the headteachers discretion.

We requested one day off when DS was in Reception as we had booked a cottage that was a Friday to Friday booking.

Personally I wouldn't do it now, but I am amazed at how many families book 2 weeks off every year to take their children abroad, out of school holiday time. The majority of them do it in September/October just after the big Summer holiday.