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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to keep DC1 off school so he doesnt go on a school trip?

56 replies

QueenComplicated · 05/03/2015 15:55

N/C as this may out me.

DC1 is in reception.

We live near Bristol and you may be aware that following last year's Gromit trail they are doing a shaun the sheep trail this year. For those who don't know about it - there will be 100 or so 5ft high shaun the sheeps, all decorated differently, dotted about the city.

we did the gromit trail last year with the DCs and they loved it, we have photos with all the gromits etc etc. we aren't going on holiday this year so we decided that DH would take the first 2 weeks of the summer holiday off and we would do the shaun trail - plan routes to make day trips out of it, as we did with the gromits. we were really looking forward to doing this, hadn't told the DC yet but know they will love it.

just got the school newsletter and they are taking the whole school on a trip to find 'as many as they can' 2 days before the end of the summer term. so before we will have done any ourselves. DH and I are a bit gutted as this was our 'summer holiday' and we wanted to do it ourselves with the DC.

DH says keep him off, I'm worried DC1 will be upset if he goes back for the final 2 days and all his class are talking about it. WIBU to keep DC1 off school that day so we can save it to be a family thing?

OP posts:
Bonsoir · 05/03/2015 15:57

You may not be the only parents that wanted to do this with their DC. I don't really know what to suggest though.

TwoOddSocks · 05/03/2015 15:59

I'd let him go on the school trip with his friends as it'll be a nice experience for him and there'll still be plenty more to see with you. Maybe you could include a different day trip in your holiday plans if you want to make sure there's something new for DC1?

MrsTerryPratchett · 05/03/2015 15:59

You could make it part of your one. DC1 gets to show Daddy and other DC where the ones he found were. Then find more together. Why can't he have fun with his school friends? Seems really sad.

Feminine · 05/03/2015 15:59

That is tough.

I think l would be inclined to let him do it with his class.

If the school discover you'd kept him off for that reason, it might make things awkward in the future.

I understand your reasons though.

Sirzy · 05/03/2015 16:01

I can understand why your not too happy but can you not link the two a bit? So build his excitement because he gets to show you where they are?

SisterMoonshine · 05/03/2015 16:01

I'd let him go.
He'll love showing you them when you go.

chasegirl · 05/03/2015 16:02

Yes you would be unreasonable its a school day. He will enjoy being with all his friends on a trip. Still take him on your days off. He might enjoy showing you around them.
Were you planning on going more than once yourselves? If so just do one less day there and go somewhere else.

ChipDip · 05/03/2015 16:04

It's a tricky one but I would definitely let him go with school. He would miss out a great time bonding with his friends and might not appreciate or be happy enough going with his parents when he could have gone with his friends.
You can plan something else for your DS.

Davsmum · 05/03/2015 16:05

He can go with the school and again with you, surely?
He will enjoy it twice. I don't see the point of him missing out on the trip with his school friends.

Endler32 · 05/03/2015 16:05

I can see why your upset about it but I would still send him, you can either do it again as a family or plan another trip ( there's lots to do in Bristol ). Chances are they won't find many, by the time they get organised and have their lunch during the day they won't have much time to spot too many sheep so maybe you can go looking for the ones the school didn't find?

Original poster
QueenComplicated · 05/03/2015 16:07

we will be finding all of them (DH and I will map it out and make sensible walking loops etc - it took us about 7 trips to do all the gromits).

You all seem to see the 'he'll enjoy showing you' bit as positive - I feel it is more likely he'll say 'I've seen that one' and want to move on and spoil it a bit for the other DC, who weren't really old enough to full appreciate the gromit one.

but I of course know he would be excited to go on a school trip (it would be his first one)

just gutted our plan is being taken over a bit.

OP posts:
Waitingonasunnyday · 05/03/2015 16:08

I'd let him go on the trip.

I can understand your feelings, but honestly it will work out for the best. DC 'took me out' for the day recently, to a place they have both been on trips too and THEY showed ME round and explained stuff. One of the lovely things about school is seeing how other people have inspired your child and going on a family version of a school trip is a good way of seeing this.

Original poster
QueenComplicated · 05/03/2015 16:08

I know there is lots to do in Bristol - the point is this is what we really wanted to do with our DC, we had planned it before the school said anything, and its free which is important.

looks like I'm BU then Sad

OP posts:
turquoiseamethyst · 05/03/2015 16:09

It's a bit like when some lovely well-meaning teacher shows the holiday/Christmas hit DVD release as a treat!

I'd let him go with the school though.

GoodArvo · 05/03/2015 16:10

My kids would have liked doing it twice. They like being the knowledgeable one and boasting about it.

PurpleSwift · 05/03/2015 16:10

Yes yabu. Let him go. He'll ive doing it with his school friends AND doing it with his family.

Original poster
QueenComplicated · 05/03/2015 16:11

the school is offering for one adult to go on the trip per family, so I could go with them, but DH and the other DC wouldn't be there.

maybe DH and I will have to squeeze in an earlier trip so we can do a few before the trip. I really wanted it to be a family thing, maybe if we can go as a family and do a few first DH will still get the first time excitement.

OP posts:
SweetValentine · 05/03/2015 16:12

His first school trip! YWBU (you would be unreasonable )

Waitingonasunnyday · 05/03/2015 16:14

Are they screwed down? Maybe we could organise an elaborate crack team of MNers to hide one, so the school don't see ALL of them...

flimmyflam · 05/03/2015 16:15

Sorry, but this is another vote for YABU. Imagine how sad he'll feel the next day when all his friends are talking about the lovely time they had!

however · 05/03/2015 16:15

You're not serious?

Original poster
QueenComplicated · 05/03/2015 16:16

good plan waiting !!

there is about 100 of them, so they definitely wont see all, but probably do the 'easiest' lot - so around the city centre where you can see 20/30 on an hour or so's walk around.

grump grump grump. I do hate it when I have to admit to being U. grump.

OP posts:
ElmerRocks · 05/03/2015 16:18

Is there any chance you can take him the weekend before maybe?
Then you still get to do it first with the DC, but he still gets to go on his trip with his classmates?

Mama1980 · 05/03/2015 16:19

I'm sorry but yabu. All his friends will be looking forward to going, they'll probably do some kind of prep thing. He won't want to miss out and I'm sorry but nor should he.
I do understand your disappointment but unfortunately just one of those things. Maybe do as you planned but stress to your eldest that be has to be a big help and help you find them and that it will be different for his younger siblings so no rushing off.

Fauxlivia · 05/03/2015 16:20

I'd let mine have the day off. It's not like they are doing their GCSEs!

Go and enjoy it as a family. Kids go on stacks of school trips - he's not missing out on anything.

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