Day off school to see Santa?

[MrsPiddlewink]

We've left it too late again - hearts set on a particular place this year. The only slots they have left are during the last week of term. Would I be unreasonable to give them a day off? They are 8 and 5.

I was joking about the Sunday thing

They're not 'going to see Santa' though, are they - they're going to see a man to tell him their shopping list. It's a ridiculous reason to miss school, and sends a crap message.

What about this ? Still availability for the Sat and Sun before Christmas
www.eastsomersetrailway.com/page.php?pid=138

YANBU to take them out of school, it's the week before Christmas, one day... And they're 5 and 8.

However, YABU to do this in order to go to Longleat. I took my DD's last year and it was appalling. The 'Santa Train' was just about the least magical thing I've ever taken part in...

I can't think of a worse place to ask this question*...

^ this.

100% Take Them out.

Longleat have Europe's largest festival of light this year in the form of amazing Chinese Lanterns. Its so much more than a visit to santa. There will be no next year for this.

There are fields of Chinese people there building it all.

I am going, I am taking DD out too.

BTW school think its OK she will miss 80% of her day in a few weeks for school competition....

Go op, its the last year of believing, its going to be stunning.

it's not a deal breaker if you call them in sick. i'd take them out of school for it if i was that way inclined. (my kids only ever saw santa at pre school).

curious

I read your reviews too, I think they know last year was really bad and most of it due to weather.

This year they are pulling all stops out, there is a huge chinese lantern display going on, like real size tea house with lanterns hanging off it, a dragon the size of a foot ball pitch, its going to be amazing, chinese sellers and perfomers as well as train, and house and .....animals. I think they are trying to turn things around..

I was joking about the Sunday thing

Oh right. Hard to tell.

So what are your plans for telling your 8 year old they can't miss other days of school to do something else? Something you're not quite so keen on as an overpriced shopping trip?

They're not 'going to see Santa' though, are they - they're going to see a man to tell him their shopping list. It's a ridiculous reason to miss school, and sends a crap message.

They will also see once in a lifetime Chinese Lantern Festival.

Id go for that alone without the santa train.

Well if its just about the whole day then it won't matter that the eldest may not believe next year as they will still enjoy the rest of the experience then surely?

Well if its just about the whole day then it won't matter that the eldest may not believe next year as they will still enjoy the rest of the experience then surely?

116 for two adults and two kids to see Santa at Longleat. Holy cow.

You could hire your own Santa for that. Ok the sparkly train and stately home might be a bit tricky but omg all the same

BTW op, I dont even think I will tell mine they missing school, she wouldnt know if I said it was saturday!!! I am not telling her she is missing school. she wont know.

Ok the sparkly train and stately home might be a bit tricky but omg all the same

sorry you forgot the largest chinese lantern festival in Europe too.

I believe they have the largest Chinese lantern festival in Europe there. Can anyone confirm?

A grotto is a grotto when you are young enough to believe

This year though is the fesitval of light too. No child will forget it.Its all round the house, its mammoth and beautiful. No grotto in the land will compare!

www.longleat.co.uk/christmas/chinese-lanterns

See Chinese Myths and Legends Come Alive

Explore hundreds of illuminated displays featuring traditional Chinese designs including dragons and temples alongside giant recreations of some of the Safari Park’s famous animals. These incredible hand-made structures measure up to 20 metres in height and are truly stunning.

Beautiful by daylight, incredible after dark.

This is why schools have to get tough on ALL of us now.... For the few, like the op, who take advantage.

Nice

It does make you a bit cheesed off when, for example, my eldest is missing 3 whole days off school to rehearse for the school play

He only plays an instrument in two songs

Year 11

You can do the rest of the experience at the weekends thouhj, its only santa fully booked so if OP really wants to see the rest they can then visit a local santa another weekend

Were going to see the lanterns at longleat after Xmas day when its a bit quieter. Not in term time ;)

there is no way they will be able to lie convincingly about it.

There is no need to lie, children say all sorts at this age no one is goingto question them m say they have D and V op, then if you did get caught out which you wont...you can say they felt better on second day..but you wont need too.

This is why schools have to get tough on ALL of us now.... For the few, like the op, who take advantage.

and My DD is about to miss 70% of her school day because of some silly naff competition that she will be in for a few moments...but thats ok!

Taking child to once in a life time whole experience isn't !!

Op MN has some of the most poe faced, joyless miserable fuckers on the planet on it, why did you ask! Just do it!

I think there might be a Chinese lantern festival too. Not quite sure as it hasn't been mentioned.