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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take our kids on hol in term-time

461 replies

zozzle · 25/05/2012 09:49

We are taking our kids out of primary school to go abroad in term-time (end of June) and have been surprised at the slightly shocked/negative reactions I have had from other friends (mums in the playground). DCs are 4 (Reception) and 8 (yr 3).

My friends seem to tow the line more than me though, and admit they don't like breaking the rules. Breaking the rules has never bothered me though if I think the rules are unreasonable!

It will be the first time we will have been abroad as a family since DC were born and it's also partly to celebrate my 40th. We have holiday'd in the Uk for the last 8 years and fancied a change this year.

We can't afford to go abroad in the school holidays and the possible £100 fine we will incur from taking the kids out of school (although DC 2 is only 4 and doesn't legally have to be in school yet - so fine will prob only be applied to DC1) will still make the hol much cheaper than going in the school holidays.

Won't the hol be an educational experience in itself for the DCs? Wouldn't do it in SATs years or exam years. It is a v. middle class school with quietly pushy parents.

I just don't get what the big deal is!

OP posts:
Rockpool · 25/05/2012 17:57

Yes exactly Not it is a sledgehammer to crack a nut ie truancy.It doesn't work .The truants will still truant,those with good attendance will still have good attendance and actually it does far more harm than good as it deprives many kids from experiences their parents could just about afford.

It's a very lazy approach from the gov to tackle truancy and they even know it doesn't work-totally bonkers.

RafflesWay · 25/05/2012 18:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

skeggy81 · 25/05/2012 18:02

We are not allowed to do this and I comply with this. However, I have no problem with others doing so. Their rule breaking does not affect me. What I dislike more is the rule breakers who are late for swimming lessons and disrupt the whole class as the teacher has to stop and put tummy bands on etc.
Plus I also do not like the way its all weighted in the schools favour. If the school deems it isn't safe to open due to snow than fine. If a parent who maybe had a difficult walk with a disability or pregnancy than EWO will be down on them.
It is also apparently ok for school to close for a funeral of a member of staff. Fair enough but the funeral was at 3pm and at least half the current teacher's didn't even know the staff member.
Enjoy your holiday op.

Joiningthegang · 25/05/2012 18:10

Enjoy - and don't waste a second feeling guilty- those complaining about it are probably jealous!
It will add to her "holistic" education, and spending time away as a family is invaluable.

We are not "allowed" either but I do when I deem it ok, I'm a grown up and everything. Their attendance is over 95%. Bring on the education welfare officer - i will make him a nice cup of tea - do people really think each and every day at school is essential? Nonsense.

Noqontrol · 25/05/2012 18:14

I'm not bitter about it Angelico. I would have the balls to take Dc out of school, but I really don't want to. But then again I'm a camping in the uk sort of person so I'm not really getting the need to take the kids abroad in term time to get a cheaper holiday. Generally holidays abroad aren't that important to me or Dh. I like the uk, it's got loads to offer. But it's up to others what they do I guess, each to their own and all that stuff.

Angelico · 25/05/2012 18:22

Well Noqontrol there we are in agreement - each to their own. It's up to individual parents to decide and live with the consequences.

Thank God my parents took us out and we got to go to Spain on the cheap! :o But I will add we were never allowed off with sniffles etc the way some of my school friends were - only sick time I ever had was for a week after I was in an road accident and hurt my back. Holidays were special and that was the only time we were allowed out on the sly.

doublechocchip · 25/05/2012 18:23

Take her out and enjoy yourselves. Have a great time, I'm taking my dd out of school and can't wait for our hols!

Dancergirl · 25/05/2012 18:40

eviltwins, you are being very arrogant if I may say. Some people CAN'T AFFORD a holiday in term time. What's wrong with people that they just don't get that??

You CHOSE to be a teacher, you knew the deal.

And yes, education IS important but there are also other things in life, let's not get education out of proportion. Such as spending a family holiday together. And if I could only afford to take my children away in term time, then that's what I would do without a doubt. Good attendance is important but in reality, so much is repeated at primary school then the odd missed week doesn't make any difference in the long run. Schools like good attendance as it's just one of the many hoops they have to jump through for Ofsted.

fuckarama · 25/05/2012 18:44

You're being very arrogant and entitled imho.

(I assume you mean some people can only afford not can't afford)

And you know what?

IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD A HOLIDAY IN THE LONG HOLIDAYS THAT KIDS GET YOU DON'T GO. What's wrong with people they just don't get that?

whathasthecatdonenow · 25/05/2012 18:54

As a teacher I've got no problem with parents taking their children out of school in term time. I have got a big problem with those parents expecting me to spend either my own time, or class time, catching their children up, or setting 'holiday' work for them.

nothingoldcanstay · 25/05/2012 19:00

What a load of old bollocks from teachers! Their sense of entitlement is legendary. They rarely struggle in sick, can go off on strike and have back to work programmes for when the stress gets too much. Don't get me wrong I know they work hard but I know a good few who are happy to milk it as well.

Sorry but it's about attitude more than missing a weeks work. if you think school is important then missing a week for a holiday (booked with the school in advance) won't change that.

MissFaversham · 25/05/2012 19:03

Blimey, the kids are in junior school, it's a week, not a month. They have no huge life changing exams to take at the moment. I'm sure the OP isn't going to make a habit of keeping them off willy nilly. Sometimes rules are made to be broken.

Chill Grin

EvilTwins · 25/05/2012 19:06

Dancergirl - which bit do you find arrogant?

And by the way, the OP CHOSE to have kids. She knew the deal.

If you can't afford a holiday in holiday time, then you choose a cheaper holiday. It's not rocket science. If I wasn't a teacher, I could potentially go on much more exciting holidays (Devon again this year) but I CHOOSE not to. And even if I wasn't a teacher, I wouldn't take my kids out of school.

As a teacher, it's bloody annoying that parents expect me to spend my time getting work sorted so that they can go on holiday. Perhaps if I wasn't expected to do so, I wouldn't have such an issue with it.

Then again, I might, given the number of threads on here, and the number of people in RL who like to moan about teachers and their holidays. If you choose to have kids and to send them to school, then you choose to comply with the rules.

Rockpool · 25/05/2012 19:08

So Fuckarama you mean never?

Err sorry I'm not having some gov dictating to me that my kids can never experience using Euros to buy French bread for breakfast, to snorkel in the sea,to go on a plane,to go on a ferry,to see Paris,to see the Italian lakes,Venice,the Gk Islands.......(all things I've done over the years as a child in term time that I'd never have done otherwise).

Many schools don't have a problem with it and as I said you also have the unfairness of ludicrous unneeded school trips abroad.If there is a benefit to kids going on them there is a benefit to kids going away on an adventure with their family.

I want my kids to feel comfortable with using foreign currency,with travelling on planes etc,to feel if needs be working /studying abroad is something they can do and not just for the rich.

We live and work in a global world and I want my kids to be part of it.

fuckarama · 25/05/2012 19:09

Then do it during the times your kids are off school. You know, on HOLIDAY.

Rockpool · 25/05/2012 19:10

Evil Devon is astronomic,I know because I live there.A week in a caravan is the best part of a grand in August.

We camp in Cornwall and I know many who can't even afford that.I have many friends taking their kids out in term to holiday in a caravan in the UK.

valiumredhead · 25/05/2012 19:11

Devin IS expensive, seriously expensive.

fuckarama · 25/05/2012 19:11

And if you don't want some gov dictating to you, what do you propose? Anarchy?

Rockpool · 25/05/2012 19:12

Fuckarama I can't afford to.I have 3 kids and can't even camp in Brittany in August.The ferry alone is over £500 to Brittany,then there is the petrol,hiked up campsite fees.....

fuckarama · 25/05/2012 19:14

Try living in Northern Ireland. Add another £500 to even get to the UK.

I have no sympathy.

If you can't afford it in the summer holidays, don't go, or save up for longer.

That's what you do when you choose the state system to school your child.

Rockpool · 25/05/2012 19:14

Nope,they've got it wrong,they know that and I'll simply have my say at the ballot box like many others.Anyhow not a prob for me,our head has no probs with it.Grin

EvilTwins · 25/05/2012 19:17

So Rockpool, can I take time off school to take MY kids away then? Or is it one rule for you, one rule for me?

MissFaversham · 25/05/2012 19:19

Anarchy it is then Grin

Sis is a teacher and I'm sick to death of her moaning during term time. The fact that she gets umpteen holidays a year obviously has nothing to do with it becasue she sits there lesson planning most of the time (not)

fuckarama · 25/05/2012 19:19

Oh no, Evil, you can't do that coz you're a teacher you have to be there to teach the children who bother to turn up.

Because, of course, if the kids aren't there it's because their parents have the perfect right to decide whether to send them or not.

That right doesn't apply to you. Hmm

Rockpool · 25/05/2012 19:20

Outstanding school too,so clearly you can have outstanding attendance/results and some kids taking the odd week off in term time.Grin