To be pretty p'd off?!

[Whyisitalwaysblue]

I haven't posted before but this really gets my goat!! I know a mum who phoned her kids in sick for a week so she could take them on holiday. I know it's expensive during the school holidays and normally it wouldn't bother me but one of the children has exams the week after. AIBU to think that this is bad parenting??!!

Yes, I agree Pictish. They obviously feel pressurised which is why they do it. I understand that and think the new laws are pretty ridiculous. It's just the awkward position the child is placed in that makes me feel this is wrong.

GCSEs or A-levels I could take OP's point, but missing an extra week on SATs revision is not going to impact the kid's future quality of life. And I know plenty of people who would tell a small lie to save themselves £££+. Yabu

I don't blame people for lying to avoid a fine.

Personally I wouldn't do it the week before sats but having said that, I dont agree with them and the pressure it puts on the kids so I wouldn't blame them for that. Secondary school do their own tests at the beginning of the year. It is a test for the school and not fair on the kids.

Actually I've talked myself into saying, well done to the ops friend for having the balls to do it.

I'm an ex teacher too saying the above.

I agree Velvet - the kids having to live the lie is what makes it dicey.

Yes I think it's bad parenting. Children have a right to an education. It's no less neglectful to take them to the costa del sol during term time than to let them home playing video games - both activities that are fine in the holidays but which are not more important than the child's education. I can't fathom why so many people think removing children from school is acceptable.

I'm afraid I can't get too worked up about SATS. if kids are getting stressed and tearful about them it's not because their parents have taken them in holiday, it's because of the ridiculous amount of pressure that schools (and yes that's you, teachers) are putting them under.

They don't even do KS3 SATs anymore do they? So this is probably KS2. The child is 9-10? They're not supposed to be revising!

And those of you going on about the lying...you've never told a lie? Course not

It's not me or my school BitOutOfPractice! We don't give any homework or ridiculously intense coaching or guilt trips, the children sail through them and have a big party on the last day.

Dd's school was horrendous though. A massive "homework pack" for the Easter holidays and past papers for weeks on end beforehand.

Cupid, no one is saying they've never lied. They are saying that making the child lie about it when they return to school is unfair on them.

I wouldn't be telling them to lie. I'd ask them not to mention it beforehand, but afterwards, if they tell, they tell. I bet most of the teachers wouldn't judge anyway.

No, that's true. Certainly I work they won't.

And do you think the parents are going to sit the child down and rehearse them on what to say? I'd imagine the parents are just going to send the child back to school and if they're caught, they're caught. It wouldn't be normal practice to ask the child about time off sick.

In the argument of why holidays shouldn't be taken during term time, why are all examples given places like the costa del sol or other less salubrious destinations? My friend is taking his children on a cruise to Alaska, during which they'll see glaciers and go whale watching. I cannot judge him for taking his children out to do that I am afraid.

I don't think Alaska is any better (or even more educational) than the Costa del Sol tbh. If there's a family event - wedding/funeral - fair enough. Jollies should be kept for the holidays imo.

I don't see the point in getting pissed off with other people for doing it though, so on this point I'd say the OP IBU.

I think it is crazy that primary school children should not be allowed to go on holiday in term time.
I have a good degree and did very well in all my exams and i went on holiday regularly

The SATS were last week round here.

How old are these children?

I voiced my opinion with my 14 year old daughter in mind. I don't think it is wrong to take primary school aged children out of school for a week. We often took DD out of school for a week until year 9, but back in those days it was authorised.

I wouldn't be annoyed with other people for doing it, but I think taking a high school aged child out of school a week before exams is sending the wrong message to the child, and lying about it is not on. Also, I am a governor at DD's school and I feel it would be hypocritical for me to take DD out of school during term time.

Not your circus, not your monkeys. I certainly think YABU to be pissed off about something that doesn't even concern you.

You don't think going to Alaska to watch whales would he more educational than going to the Costa Del Sol? Ok then.

Personally though I am huge supporter of the idea that everyone gets a decent holiday if they possibly can whether that be Spain or Alaska and that one or two weeks out of a school year to do so is perfectly justifiable.

Re: the Alaska thing - it's horses for courses - there's plenty to do on the Costa Del Sol actually, Malaga and other Spanish towns are beautiful if you bother to explore them properly (and the Alhambra Palace is VERY educational), also the mountains are gorgeous. Riding, walking, cycling - lots to do.
But that aside - why did they have to go to Alaska in term-time? Was it too expensive in the holidays? If so, why not save up for a bit and go next year when they CAN afford it?

nicki

whale watching?

just wow. soooo . I'd not judge I'd be asking to come along.

It's great people are so supportive of their child's education but this "school at any cost" attitude is too much. and kids should not miss out on opportunities of a life time so they can sit in a class room.

holidays are not worthless jollies but incredible opportunities to learn.

Dd went on holiday with grandparents in holiday time. She read, went fishing, rode a bike, she saw and identified birds and bugs, she drew pictures and read and ordered food herself. She wrote words and talked for hours. She saw sheep and cows and ran around in the sun and fresh air.

compared with staying in.school during "wind down month week" drawing pictures and playing.

tell me, where do you think she learnt the most that week?

The fact that children are sodding tested in one way or another from age 5 is beyond a joke. why aren't schools confident in what they are teaching. why do they need to stress out the kids and ram exams down the throats of young children. A holiday away from the stress of all that nonsense is probably just what the kids need.

If I had a choice between my kids whale watching or sat sweltering in a class room practicing old test papers you'd not see me or my kids for dust.

in term time that should say

And don't give me crap about "lying"

we lie to our children all the time this is no different.

easter bunny, santa, favourite shops being "closed", saying we have no money just to avoid paying for expensive rides in shopping centres. ice cream vans having sold out.

I'm as honest as I can be in day to day life I dint make a habit if being a liar. but some things are worth lying for and this hurts no one. and telling the truth may well cost families the opportunity of a life time. or the chance to spend time together as a family which has become impossible due to work or illness