To take our kids on hol in term-time

[zozzle]

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!

Inconsistent?

Dancer I don't know how you have the nerve to accuse me of being arrogant. Read your own posts FFS.

I am fully aware that some families can't afford holidays out of term time. I teach kids who do nothing but hang around the city streets all summer.

Doesn't mean that I have to agree that term time holidays are acceptable. IMO, they're not.

OK well in that case it doesn't suit me every other Friday for DD to be in school the whole day and it would be much more convenient for me to get her out an hour and a half early on those Fridays for some family bonding time and to create lovely memories.

eviltwins yes of course you have to toe the party line - you're a teacher! I wouldn't expect a teacher to come on here and say it's acceptable.

Even if I wasn't a teacher, I wouldn't think it was OK.

I'm a teacher and wouldn't get my knickers in a knot about it. It's the choice of the parents IMO.

I'm not a teacher and I don't think it's okay.

Just went one step further and checked with DH if he'd be happy for our DCs to associate with the children of parents who do this (knowing full well what the answer would be). He said no. I understand why.

Do you think it's catching Hopefully ?

There are far more interesting rules to break than this one

I'm sure my children would be gutted not to associate with your children

Always following the rules but strangley following sad little average lives.

In what way is your life above average, TheCrackFox?

If breaking rules (ooh look at me, I'm such a rebel) on purpose is as exciting as it gets, I'm not so sure many will be envious.

Reformed, probably, inconsistent, probably too. But what's so exciting about your life thecrackfox you still haven't answered. I am intrigued to hear from a master how to alleviate the dullness from my sad little existence

Some people love following rules and also enforcing rules. School prefect type people.

Peer groups are important to children and teenagers. Don't want mine getting into the Crackfox set. They'll be on street corners all summer and injecting drugs and what have you before you can say 'A week in Magaluf in term-time'

@ Hopefully. I take your point!

I think someones taking the piss, well I hope so ,surely no ones that much up their own arse

Ooh, the nostalgia, you're making me feel young thecrackfox, I haven't heard someone accuse people who follow the rules of being boring, since, ooh actually since I was a child!!

Oh yes, taking your children out of school to secure a bargain break really is the epitome of the cavalier life well lived. It's possibly snuggled up on the shelf of excitement right next to buying a car you can't afford on credit or putting tetra pak in the recycling.

This thread is hilarious , do people really think like this?

] cornflower. Ok, these are the things I need to start aspiring to then. Wow, the excitement of it all, can't wait to try out my new life

Oh FFS, YANBU, hope you have a fabulous time. Life is way too short to worry about one week out of education, especially at this age. You could always ask for extra homework before or after your hol to help them catch up if you feel worried. It's the holiday companies that are unreasonable

Taking bargain breaks, buying cars one cannot afford...

Broken Britain.

There are people who pay the tax that they are due to pay. There are people who don't lie on insurance claim forms and add a couple of extra items. There are people who don't cheat in exams. And yes, there are people who don't take their children out of school in term-times for holidays when they're not supposed to.

Have a medal.

There are people that have a good time on holiday with their children and think fuck it