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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to keep my son off school for this?

529 replies

Fantoosh · 26/06/2015 14:55

So I had a hairdresser appointment this morning for 9.30. I desperately needed a cut and colour before going on holiday next week.

Unfortunately my dd was sick at 7.30am...although she seemed fine afterwards. This meant I had to keep her off school.
Given that the chances of getting another appointment in time for the hols was zero, was I bu to call in a sicky for my eldest son (14) this morning to watch her while I kept the appointment I had? Fridays are a half day at school anyway here.

My hair is looking great now but I don't know if I did the right thing.
What would you have done?

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheep · 26/06/2015 21:30

It doesn't really add up if it's one half day !

If only I had a dossier I'd find this thread most useful < strokes chin>

LashesandLipstick · 26/06/2015 21:37

Confused no it doesn't! It makes no difference

itsbetterthanabox · 26/06/2015 21:45

It's more just a weird thing to do. What made you even think of it?
There's loads of other hairdressers you could go to that will have appts. You've got an entire week until your holiday. This wouldn't even occur to most people. Did your poorly daughter mind being left with a teenage brother? How would he have dealt with her vomiting?

Wideopenspace · 26/06/2015 21:47

I've only read the first 12 pages, sorry

I work in a school. I fight the most appalling attitudes to attendance every, single day. From parents and from children. Not everyone, but a significant minority.

Every time this sort of thing happens, it adds a tiny additional bit of weight against prioritising education. Perhaps insignificant in itself, but it adds up, overall.

It makes me tired, and a bit sad Sad

justcallmethefixer · 26/06/2015 21:53

Well thank you op at least you recognise who you are and what you do, next step is to recognise what influence your actions have on others

Original poster
Fantoosh · 26/06/2015 21:55

Would you like a hanky?

Look it was dress down day and the last day of official lessons, which means they were watching DVDs. It's activity week next week so it's all over for this term ok?
Come on now, pull yourself together.

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 26/06/2015 21:55

That's it OP - you are single handedly causing the downfall of the whole education system and Western civikization as we know it

At least your hair will look nice when you appear on the news! Wink

nokidshere · 26/06/2015 21:57

Fantastically funny thread!

My two teens would offer to walk to the moon and back if they thought it would get them a morning off school! Mopping up vomit would be preferable to double maths haha

I don't think a one off incident like this will ruin anyone's lives.

AnimalsAreMyFriends · 26/06/2015 21:57

justcallme did you type that in an "I'm really disappointed in you" tone of voice? With a head tilt?

OP Please make sure you reflect on your actions, and the consequences of them for the wider world. Maybe a hair shirt and some sort of penance?

Wideopenspace · 26/06/2015 21:57

Was that directed at me OP?

Original poster
Fantoosh · 26/06/2015 21:59

Yes it was.

OP posts:
toomanykidstoolittletime · 26/06/2015 21:59

The only reason I've never let one of mine have a day of to help with a sibling is that I'd then have to keep all 5 of them off and I send mine to school to get them out from under my feet....the fact that they get educated as well is a pleasant side effect.

Wideopenspace · 26/06/2015 22:00

Right. Well, you are a treasure.

justcallmethefixer · 26/06/2015 22:00

Yes animals I did my head is that tilled I'm looking up my own orfice at this thread

BitOutOfPractice · 26/06/2015 22:01

This isn't angry MN though it is a bit

It's disappointed MN

Original poster
Fantoosh · 26/06/2015 22:02

Thanks. I do ok. Wink

OP posts:
bideyinn · 26/06/2015 22:03

Most of the responses on this thread are ludicrous. The school breaks up next week, probably in the middle of the week, the kids will be doing absolutely no work, especially on a half day Friday. He's got good attendance and is doing well. It's lovely he's so happy to look after his sister. What is the problem?

ghostyslovesheep · 26/06/2015 22:04

I work in a couple of schools - I find the hysteria very funny

I also find it a little worrying that people who 'work in schools' are so very quick to go from half a day to help at home to awful shit parenting, doesn't care about education, lets her child slack off'

seriously that shit makes me want to home educate - until I remember that all of the teachers I work with aren't sanctimonious and live in the real world

Wideopenspace · 26/06/2015 22:05

I suppose I just think that school is either important, or it isn't.

I don't think there are any grey areas.

ghostyslovesheep · 26/06/2015 22:05

that must be exhausting

elderflowerlemonade · 26/06/2015 22:07

I am baffled at how this thread has gone.

Half a day isn't in itself remotely important, but then neither is hair, so I'm not sure that argument works particularly strongly.

Wideopenspace · 26/06/2015 22:07

I don't think I'm being sanctimonious ghosty :(

Maybe I am. But I spend so much time encouraging children and parents into school, that I find being flippant about it nigh on impossible.

Original poster
Fantoosh · 26/06/2015 22:07

That sounds like an impossibly rigid way to think, but hey it's your life.

OP posts:
PotKettleInterfaceSituation · 26/06/2015 22:09

Hahahaha this thread is hilarious!!

Now it's favouritism!!

Brilliant!!

Ayyyy dear.....

elderflowerlemonade · 26/06/2015 22:09

You're not, wide

At all.