To take my daughter out of school for 2 days before half term?

[NunWithADirtyHabbit]

My brother and his children are coming over from USA on the Wednesday before half term. They are only here for 2 weeks and we have not seen them for 2 years (we are all very close).

AIBU to keep my daughter (8) off school for the two days before the half term starts so that we can spend as much time together as possible (they are staying with us from the Wed till the end of half term and then with my parents for the remaining 5 days) I intend to send my daughter back to school on the first day after half term.

YANBU - So long as your daughter has no problems/is not struggling or behind at school.
I have done it a few times with my boys for family holidays, only by a few days at the end of term though and never at the start of a new term. (I don't know why but feel it would be harder for them to settle arriving back for term a few days after classmates than what it is to finish term a few days earlier) Also never close to exams. I felt satisfied with my reasons for doing so- cost of a holiday in the kids 6 week break for a family of 5 is almost double the price (so would have happily paid the £50 fine per child had the school enforced it) and also because I don't want to go when it's at peak temps neither.

I too was going to mention the jetlag. I don't think I would take her out for 2 days, as, after all she'll still get the whole week (including 2 weekends) plus the after school time. But, this is massively different situation from the other thread who normally saw her Gran very often anyway. This is a bit different.

YANBU its 2 days she's 8 realistically what is she going to miss that can't be caught up on, especially before half term.

The dcs had a week off before Easter as they went to Jamaica with DH, that was to see family and we see them annually so no big deal overall but its important to us so why not.

How old are her cousins? They might like to go into school with her!

oh, now there's and idea SerialKipper. Ask the school! That would be so interesting to have a child who is normally schooled in a completely different system to come in for a day

I would let them rest- don't underestimate jet lag.

YANBU

The world will actually end if you do so, on your head be it

Are their cousins similar ages to your children? Could they go to school with your children for those 2 days (I was a teacher and I had this once - the kids learnt a lot because the cousins involved were from abroad so they told us all about their country and culture).
Just a thought because it would leave you adults to have catch up time too.

Let them enjoy their time together, don't worry about school, she has got a shit load of schooling ahead of her. I have been through GCSEs, AS Levels, A Levels and University with my DC (and have got 3 hairs left on my head). An 8 year old can catch up on 2 days work, 11 years+ is harder.

YANBU to take your child out of school. You're the parent, and she's your child. If you believe this is an important matter and she will derive benefit from it, go ahead.

YABU to think 10 consecutive days with a whole gang of family will not get a bit stressful though! We were all at each others throats after 3 days at Christmas! (And we do all normally get on.)

FWIW, I have a brother and 2 BILs who live abroad. I would take my kids out of school if they were coming to visit and only there for a school day, but not if they were coming for the whole of half term. I'd save my 'taking out' karma for another occasion, like travelling to visit them for example.

Thank you all (and I didn't even need my hard hat!!). The cousins are of a similar age so I might see if they would be able to go into the school on the Friday.

Thanks again

I'm taking DS1 out for two days before half term. They have Baker Days (or whatever they call them now; training, inset, professional, whatever it is) on the Thursday and Friday before half term anyway and I'm taking him out for the Tuesday and Wednesday.

Our holiday is £600 cheaper by going Monday night that week, with DS1 missing Tuesday and Wednesday, than it would be if we went during half term.

I'm generally against taking children out unless absolutely unavoidable, and am daughter of two teachers so it was never an option for us, but given DS1 is only in Reception, and it's two days, and a saving of £600, I found myself bending my rule.

My daughter announced at the end of her first term at school - 'it's the last week of term this week. We can do what we like and watch some videos!' I have carried round in my head since the idea of comparing what I want to take her out for, and watching videos. If my idea is better than watching videos, I have no problem!