We have an important family gathering on the night of the last day of the school term, and attending means taking DS1 out of school for the day (it's a 350 mile drive). I am well aware of the school responsibility to grant authorised absences in 'exceptional circumstances' only, and I understand the rationale behind it. In his 8 school years so far, he's had a total of one day off ill, with no holiday requests (despite my repeated frustration with price hikes in holidays, I just suck it up and join the rest of the hassled parents).
Anyway, I'm in the position that either I apply for auth absence and it's declined (what do I do then?) or I pull a sickie on ds1's behalf. I don't actually believe the latter is a real option, as I'm not prepared to put my ds in this position of witnessing me telling lies to school (not really the example I'm hoping for!!).
Do I apply, get declined and take him anyway? Aibu? I feel horrible about it, as if I don't go, I miss family from overseas meeting my two younger children for the first time, amongst other things. Before anyone lectures me, I wholeheartedly believe in the vital importance of good school attendance , but it's the last day of term, so I know there won't be any lost learning!