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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not want my child to go on this trip?

168 replies

OooWhatToDo · 14/11/2013 18:09

Some parents opinions would be appreciated here please; DD has got a class trip tomorrow with 2 other classes to the local Woods which is only a 5-10min drive away. Normally I wouldnt worry or shirk a class trip whatsoever, but it really isnt settling well with me at the thought of her being outside in the woods from 9.30am - 2.45pm in these low temperatures.
We take them up there all the time & love being outdoors, but after an hour or so at this time of year the cold sets in & they're ready for central heating!
Apparently there is a 'centre' there with toilets, but we've never seen this & think they maybe slightly glossing over their description when its nothing more than a large glorified shed with a few toilets.
Am I worrying needlessly? If it was just the morning they were going for & back to school for lunchtime id be totally fine with it, but all day despite the cold weather?? If she doesn't go then it'd go down as an unauthorised absence mark on her record.

What should I do?

OP posts:
bigbrick · 14/11/2013 18:33

Sounds a great time

Sparklingbrook · 14/11/2013 18:34

You can't just take children out of school because you don't like the trip. Confused

LaBuveuse · 14/11/2013 18:35

Agree - you are being daft.

SoupDragon · 14/11/2013 18:36

Are they walking there and back?

givemeaclue · 14/11/2013 18:38

You could be fined for unauthorised absence.

Let her go they will be fine they can go back to school if cold. Ask the teacher what the plans are if you are worried.

Tee2072 · 14/11/2013 18:39

Why wouldn't you let her go?

Hulababy · 14/11/2013 18:39

I would let her go.

Outdoor, or forest, school is big in many countries abroad, including countries which are far colder than ours.

Agree with the poster who says "no such thing as too cold, just inappropriate clothing."

Wrap her warm - lots of thinner layers are better than one or two thick layers. They will be active and moving, and I am sure they will be fine, and have a great time.

Hulababy · 14/11/2013 18:42

And actualy we do check coats, etc.

In foundation - we help them fasten coats and put on scarves/gloves if they have them.
In y1/2 we remind them that they must put a coat on at this time of year. I they go outside without one we send them to get it. If they can;t do it up we will still help them but obviously encourge them to do it themselves. But we don't force them to button up if they are too warm, just insist their coat i on.

However - still lots of children coming to school with no coats and no seinsible shoes at the moment.

whois · 14/11/2013 18:42

It's winter, they'll be outside. Send her is appropriate clothing to keep her warm. You know, like most people manage to do? Honestly, how is that hard??

Mylovelyboy · 14/11/2013 18:42

Of course OP would not be fined for unauthorised absence................just phone in sick

StoorieHoose · 14/11/2013 18:43

My dd had her school trip to a country park last February - there was snow on the ground and they had a whale of a time!!

Original poster
OooWhatToDo · 14/11/2013 18:44

It's hardly missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime, we take her there loads. She is the sort of little girl who feels the cold easily, there is nowhere there to warm up properly. I know kids in Sweden spend a lot of time in the forest but that's not really applicable to what I'm asking.

OP posts:
fishandlilacs · 14/11/2013 18:46

It's totally commonplace for german children to be outside all year round in the woods getting their hands dirty.

Fleta · 14/11/2013 18:46

MyLovelyBoy - of COURSE there is bad weather when it isn't appropriate to go on a trip...you know they won't go then right?

My DD went on a trip - torrential rain, they got sodden wet through and LOVED it. They ended up being evacuated out because of floods. I wasn't worried in the slightest. Teachers are so, so vigilant on trips.

Viviennemary · 14/11/2013 18:47

I think it's far far too cold for this kind of trip. Why do schools put children through this misery. Not sure if I would send my child. Depends on what age they were. I know it's the in thing to think children should be hardy. Well I never was and never will be.

Tee2072 · 14/11/2013 18:47

You've already made up your mind. So why did you ask?

givemeaclue · 14/11/2013 18:47

What are you asking? Are you bu to keep her off? We'll the law says you can't keep her off for no good reason so there is your answer. It could cost you £120.

Put your mind at rest by finding out the facts

Sparklingbrook · 14/11/2013 18:49

Presumably whatever they are doing is part of the curriculum, and therefore Education.

I don't think it's a good message to give to a child that you can pick and choose what to participate in.

fishandlilacs · 14/11/2013 18:50

I wouldn't normally react as strongly as this on a post but you had me open mouthed with amazement. Really Really? Afraid of a little cold? Cold air is actually pretty good for you, as is running about in the fresh air, with freinds on an educational experience

You are being totally OTT. What are you afraid of? Layer her up, let her run. Prize for the the most PFB post i think I have ever seen.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 14/11/2013 18:52

There are outdoor nurseries her in the UK, where the children spend all day, every day outside - I have seen some of these children in Pollock Park in Glasgow, and they all looked rosy-cheeked and happy - and all of them are under school age, obviously.

This trip may lead on to work in the classroom in the coming weeks, and if your dd misses out on the trip, she might not get all the benefit from the work. And I bet they will have lots of fun too.

I would wrap her up well, plenty of layers and a good, waterproof coat, and let her go. Do you have a flask so you could send her with soup to have at lunchtime?

BMW6 · 14/11/2013 18:52

YABU. It's not a trek to the South Pole!
She is a Human Being, not a Tropical Fish......

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 14/11/2013 18:52

Sorry - here in the UK. Blush

judgejudithjudy · 14/11/2013 18:53

op if you take her there "loads" then how do you not know what facilities there are? ps not one person has said yanbu so get over yourself, your dc wont suffer - just dress her in a nice warm coat - poor poppet missing out cause the mums a loon!

saintlyjimjams · 14/11/2013 18:54

My kids are still surfing & getting changed in car parks (& in spring rather than winter suits). It's really not that cold yet. The younger ones at ds3's school spend every Friday afternoon outside.

Two pairs of socks, layers, hat, gloves, waterproofs if they're sitting on damp ground - she'll be fine. Much healthier than inside sharing sneezy germs. My ds3 used to get cold quite easily - in his case the key to keeping him happy was warm dry feet. So he'd have two pairs of socks, wellie warmers & ski trousers over the top of trousers.

0utnumbered · 14/11/2013 18:54

If you have chosen to send her to school rather than home school her then she needs to go, it's not optional. If it is gale force winds and torrential rain on the day then I can imagine the trip would be cancelled.

Sounds a bit PFB to me sorry