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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why it's deemed acceptable to take children out of school for cheap holidays?

331 replies

shrunkenhead · 26/05/2014 17:15

Am I the only one who thinks it's not on to make your child miss school for the sake of a cheap holiday???

OP posts:
alAswad · 27/05/2014 18:48

Sparkly, is your husband a 999 operator by any chance? I looked into training for that myself but was put off by the horrendous shift patterns, Thanks to anyone who works those kinds of hours!

SuburbanRhonda · 27/05/2014 18:48

Ask Michael Gove Smile

Puzzledandpissedoff · 27/05/2014 18:56

We were informed by said parents that we (the teachers) would be responsible for their children catching up on any work missed

I'm trying to be surprised by that, but failing spectacularly Hmm How interesting, too, that the youngsters failed to turn up for the extra tuition offered - somone else's fault again, you see

FWIW i do agree with those saying that the price increase in school holidays are beyond all reason; unfortunately that's a market economy for you ...

CharlesRyder · 27/05/2014 19:18

Rhonda Nope, science, and all that education has worn off innit. Grin

CharlesRyder · 27/05/2014 19:20

Fair cop on the hideously colloquial grammar though!

gamescompendium · 27/05/2014 19:37

Last year I spoke to a Mum who took her kids out of school because it saved £900 on her holiday. Can't remember the last time I had a holiday that cost £900 Envy. I do wonder how people can afford the holiday time though, DH and I both have 6 weeks of annual leave a year and we can't cover the school holidays with that so am surprised people use days in term time that could be used to cover the school holidays so you don 't need to use childcare.

Having said all that when we were kids my parents always took us out of school during term time, my Dad was a farmer and the school holidays are the busiest time of year. I have 4 siblings, between us we have 6 degrees from ancient universities so it didn't affect our education (my history teacher did always give us a list of places to visit as part of our holidays).

Puzzledandpissedoff · 27/05/2014 19:40

... am surprised people use days in term time that could be used to cover the school holidays so you don 't need to use childcare

Maybe there were other family members who were prepared to have the children during the holidays ??

brdgrl · 27/05/2014 22:30

Some people might argue that if you are taking your child out of school for a cheaper holiday, you are not acting in their best interests.

And those people would be wrong.

No, brdgrl, those people would have a different opinion from you.

No, Rhonda. They would be wrong. Some "opinions" are so uninformed as to be actually wrong, you know. I can claim that water is not wet, and say that it is my "opinion", and it might be my (very uninformed) opinion - but it would also be wrong.

The fact is that I am acting in my child's best interests when I keep her out of school. I know this, because I am privy to the relevant information. The "some people" to who you refer, are not.

They can have a different opinion about the abstract idea of whether it is a good thing to keep children out of school or not - but as the post you are responding to was about "your child" (very specifically established, my own child), they cannot make an informed judgement about that. And I am quite confident in saying that they, and you, would be quite simply wrong in your statement that I was not acting in my child's best interest.

It is curious that you think that "being wrong" and "holding a different opinion" are incompatible. It is the opinion of a great many people that evolution is untrue. They are wrong. (Of course, that's just my opinion...)

SuburbanRhonda · 27/05/2014 22:49

This was the bit of your post from way back that I was responding to:

The best interests of the child shall be the guiding principle of those responsible for his education and guidance; that responsibility lies in the first place with his parents.

Why on earth would I make a statement about your child?

So, not wrong, just a different view.

It is curious that you think that "being wrong" and "holding a different opinion" are incompatible.

Not sure where I posted this statement. Do let me know. Or rather, don't as this point is starting to get a bit tedious now.

brdgrl · 27/05/2014 23:13

Rhonda, The post from me that you were (to judge by placement and content!) replying to was this:
As a parent, it is my responsibility to determine the best interests of my child in regards to her education and guidance. (See, I even italicised my)

Not sure where I posted this statement. Do let me know. Or rather, don't as this point is starting to get a bit tedious now.
I said: And those people would be wrong.
You said: No, brdgrl, those people would have a different opinion from you.

I agree...it is very tedious indeed. You want to argue and pick over words...until you don't. ;)

Why on earth would I make a statement about your child?
My point exactly. Why would you? I think that is what I and a number of others on this thread have been asking.

andsmile · 27/05/2014 23:38

I think people are entitled to a holiday why not? saying people are not as was said up thread it just ridiculous.

It is serisouly unhealthy to work and not take a holiday and the are a good opportunity of quality family time without the distraction of dometic routines and other commitments.

Our HT authorised up to 10 days until the last changes, now they will do two if it is next to a official school holiday. It means you can save a bit if you are clever.

sunshinecity17 · 27/05/2014 23:48

I don't think a holiday is a luxury.Yes I think everyone is entitled to at least on weeks holiday per year.
And do people really and honestly believe the difference in attainment missing 5 days school makes is anything more than Jack Shit .Especially before Y10
Some people are so gullible!

andsmile · 27/05/2014 23:50

exactly sunshine some people are soooo pretencioud and precious about the whole thing

andsmile · 27/05/2014 23:50

pretencious

RonaldMcDonald · 27/05/2014 23:52

They mostly fuck about for the last month anyway
We always go away in June. Head is fine with it

mummymeister · 28/05/2014 00:11

ronaldmcdonald - is your head still fine about it this year? have they authorised leave? I really saw nothing wrong with the old system. the h/t still had the discretion to say leave was authorised and to report it. the new law from Gove is very divisive. I absolutely hate the new rules with a passion. I write to Gove often about it and my MP and anyone else in Govt I can think of. I really hope there is a change of heart on this. all it has done is pitch parents against each other and h/t against parents in our local area any way.

RonaldMcDonald · 28/05/2014 00:18

Head has just left and we clear off to Croatia in a few weeks.
I'm sure I'll find out at some point. I'm v clear about out travels
I am unmoved by all arguments to the contrary.
Holidays are good for the kids and me...I think Gove is wrong on this

Tinkerball · 28/05/2014 06:52

Thank god we don't seem to have the same system in Scotland.

SuburbanRhonda · 28/05/2014 08:20

I can see why you'd have a difference of opinion from me about why I would even be bothered to comment about your child.

But you would wrong Grin

gorionine · 28/05/2014 08:59

How is it in Scotland Tinkerball?

brdgrl · 28/05/2014 09:12

Think I'll move on, Rhonda, you're not even making the slightest bit of sense anymore.

brdgrl · 28/05/2014 09:14

"You're not reading English, I hope" Wink

SuburbanRhonda · 28/05/2014 09:20

Touché, brdgrl - glad to see you got your sense of humour back Wink

SelfconfessedSpoonyFucker · 28/05/2014 16:13

Another example I have. A friend of mine has two kids. She is Mexican by birth, her husband is German. When the kids were small she took them out of school a couple of weeks early every year and took them to Germany where they spent a month in school. They are now trilingual.

Again, I refuse to believe that missing two weeks of primary school at the end of every year was detrimental to these children. The eldest daughter is now ready to go off to University. She has good grades and has done very well.

SuburbanRhonda · 28/05/2014 17:22

spoony, I think we've debunked the myth that just because some children are kept off school and go on to be successful academically it makes it ok to do the same with any child.

As I said upthread, I have had more conversations than you can shake a stick at with parents making all sorts of claims to justify keeping their child off school. As far as I'm concerned, just do it, don't lie, don't try to justify it, then if it's not authorised, it's out of the school's hands and into the hands of Education Welfare. Makes life a lot easier for us!

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