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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be unhappy with this school trip?

487 replies

IWannaHoldYourHand · 30/09/2015 22:29

Ds2 is in reception and has come home with a letter advising us of a school trip to a farm in December. The cost is a reasonable amount for the farm that will be visited, however the main focus of the visit is having lunch with Santa, and receiving a gift.

It is the visiting Santa that I feel odd about. I see this as a very family based event, and not something I would expect to do with anybody else, or without his sibling. We wouldn't even refer to him as Santa at home, and it just feels strange to me.

I have spoken to the head who informed me that this will be backing up their learning for that term, and advised that I have the option of attending, but it still feels wrong to me. So is this normal, do schools regularly take a trip to visit Father Christmas?

OP posts:
FarFromAnyRoad · 30/09/2015 22:34

I do not understand your point of view at all. Not at all. The most I can say is that you sound incredibly precious. You do realise that children can figure the difference between things at home and outside the home? What are you going to do? Keep him off school that day? Nope - don't get it at all.

SouthWesterlyWinds · 30/09/2015 22:34

Yes - mine did it. There's also a Santa who came into school, gave out a small chocolate and talked to them about being good and letters. I think it's pretty much something they all do in reception in the local schools here

clarinsgirl · 30/09/2015 22:34

No, you've lost me, sorry, you sound bonkers.

LookingUpAtTheStars · 30/09/2015 22:35

Some kids won't get to do anything like that with their families. I don't see the problem with it as a school trip.

WhetherOrNot · 30/09/2015 22:36

And so it begins Shock

Wigglebummunch31 · 30/09/2015 22:36

I think it's lovely. Lots of children might not get to do that type of thing out of school so I wouldn't mind at all. Our school always has Santa at the Christmas open afternoon so the children all get to see him.

sharonthewaspandthewineywall · 30/09/2015 22:36

Wtf? The problem is?

Original poster
IWannaHoldYourHand · 30/09/2015 22:37

Ds1 did non of this, and they didn't have Father Christmas visit them in school. If it's fairly common then I'll get a grip.

OP posts:
BathshebaDarkstone · 30/09/2015 22:37

We went with DS's preschool. It was a much flashier grotto than we could have afforded. I still took both DC to our regular grotto though.

VegasIsBest · 30/09/2015 22:37

Sounds like a lovely day out.

Now your son is at school you'll have to accept that there will be other influences in his life. So if everyone at school talks about Santa so will he.

I am currently trying to be mellow about my son trying to talk like an American gangsta - because that's cool at school :-)

pictish · 30/09/2015 22:38

Nope, I'm not seeing the problem here either.

Only1scoop · 30/09/2015 22:38

All normal

Dd did a similar thing in reception....loved it.

MaxieMouse · 30/09/2015 22:40

Yabu. I don't know about visiting Santa on a school trip, but Santa has come to my dcs' nursery and, if I remember right, to school as well. Surely you wouldn't keep your child off school /nursery if Santa visited?

Kampeki · 30/09/2015 22:41

So the school has organised a trip that most of the kids will probably love, and you have a problem with it because...?

I imagine that nearly all schools do stuff at Christmas, none of it needs to interfere with your family traditions at this time of year. You do sound quite precious, I'm afraid.

DoreenLethal · 30/09/2015 22:41

Is this the real santa? Or a drunk auld bloke pretending to be him?

starlight2007 · 30/09/2015 22:43

I have read it twice to find your problem ..Can't find it...

I would of thought you were been PFB however you post DS2

sunseeker67 · 30/09/2015 22:43

I think it's lovely. Every year our school take reception to Cannock Chase where they meet Father Christmas and get a mini xmas tree to plant. DD1's tree is about 7ft now.

Fizrim · 30/09/2015 22:44

DD didn't do anything like that in Infants for a school trip. They do go to a panto.

PurpleDaisies · 30/09/2015 22:45

I've been trying but I really don't understand your problem. You son is going to see a guy dressed up as Father Christmas. That isn't a protected family groups only event.

I will gladly hand you a grip to get.

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 30/09/2015 22:45

Its very common at least to have Father Christmas/Santa visit at school. It's a nice treat for the end of term. It's not new either Santa came to my school 30 years ago!

I understand why you say its a famil family thing thing is it's nice to share Christmas with friends as well and it's treat. It's not like it's Christmas eve/day/Boxing Day! As has been said it's nice for those that don't get family experiences.

WorzelsCornyBrows · 30/09/2015 22:46

Sorry, you sound a bit bonkers. Really you went to the Head about this?

It's quite normal, it doesn't stop you doing a Santa's grotto with your DC yourself.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 30/09/2015 22:46

Lovely for him. Can't understand why you could possibly have a problem OP.

Samcro · 30/09/2015 22:46

he isn't real by the way

Sallyhasleftthebuilding · 30/09/2015 22:47

DS school visit santa, its a woodland walk, in a christmas tree farm. The kids get some freah air, and get excited. Some kids dont get to go at all, some love being with friends. Its not the same as a commercial santa/home visit. I would suggest you go, see the organisation, effort that goes into these trips, and then make a judgement. I wouldnt blame teachers for scrapping them.

wigglesrock · 30/09/2015 22:47

My 4 year old P1 would burst with delight if she could see Santa with her classmates. I wouldn't think twice about it, Santa comes into my kids school at Christmas, hands out selection boxes, there's a Santa at the open evening and at the Christmas Bazaar.

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