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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:
hairbrushbedhair · 30/09/2015 23:15

Presumably learning about farms? Animals? Growing crops? Seasons? With a special treat of santa thrown in

sproketmx · 30/09/2015 23:17

Am I the only one on here who would be thinking yippeeeee now I don't have to flippin take him, no standing around in the rain in a Ridiculously long queue to see a fat guy in a fake beard??? Grin

TurnOffTheTv · 30/09/2015 23:19

Are you annoyed because you're not going to 'do' Father Christmas in the family?

PurpleDaisies · 30/09/2015 23:19

Grin sprokey

DisappointedOne · 30/09/2015 23:19

Not according to the OP hairbrush

however the main focus of the visit is having lunch with Santa, and receiving a gift.

JohnCusacksWife · 30/09/2015 23:24

Well, it doesn't look like the OP is coming back to tell us any further details about the trip since 99% of the responses say she's BU?

hairbrushbedhair · 30/09/2015 23:26

OP has said she will get over it now she knows it's normal

InimitableJeeves · 30/09/2015 23:29

I'd be really amazed if the school never mentioned Santa to your oldest son two years ago, and I suspect that if you inquired you would find that they had a visit from Santa in school - maybe he just never bothered to tell you about it because it was mixed in with all the other Christmas stuff they were doing.

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 30/09/2015 23:30

I would think its learning about tradional stories, how it feels to give and receive gifts, kindness, sharing lunch together, celebrating together, more the PSHE and English side of things. And actually seasons as in how Christmas happens at winter and it's cold, how many days in advent. Writing lists of what they saw/what they'd like for Christmas. Letters to Santa. Colouring Santa, making Christmas cards with Santa on.

Lurkedforever1 · 30/09/2015 23:31

Yabu and yab in need of a grip.
Did they pass a new law saying kids can only go on one Santa visit?

InimitableJeeves · 30/09/2015 23:31

JohnCusacksWife, how do you work out that OP isn't coming back when she last posted less than 30 minutes before you did? Maybe she's done something sensible at 11 p.m. like, er, going to bed?

MidniteScribbler · 30/09/2015 23:31

If it's fairly common then I'll get a grip.

Get one fast.

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 30/09/2015 23:32

Well, it doesn't look like the OP is coming back to tell us any further details about the trip since 99% of the responses say she's BU? read the bloody thread she's been back twice maybe three times and said ok it's normal I'll let it go, it's just me!

DisappointedOne · 30/09/2015 23:34

how many days in advent. Writing lists of what they'd like for Christmas. Letters to Santa.

I'd be very very unhappy about any of these activities taking place.

Junosmum · 30/09/2015 23:35

All schools I know have a Santa/ father Christmas related event in yr r/1. I don't see your issue. Even the school that hss entirely Muslim children in attendance in the area (state, not religious) has Santa Vista.

JohnCusacksWife · 30/09/2015 23:36

I have read the thread, thanks. I just think it's annoying when people start a thread which doesn't go their way and then make minimal contribution to it. It's frustrating, that's all.

hairbrushbedhair · 30/09/2015 23:37

*how many days in advent. Writing lists of what they'd like for Christmas. Letters to Santa.

I'd be very very unhappy about any of these activities taking place.*

Why?

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 30/09/2015 23:39

I understand that disappointed one but it does present an oppunity to introduce lists and letters. I know there's probably better ways of introducing them shopping lists/tasks lists and letters to mummy. There's always some one who's not going to be happy I guess.

Not dismissing your unhappubess

Bunbaker · 30/09/2015 23:39

This truly is a first world non problem.

DD had Father Christmas visit her at preschool. She had just come out of hospital after a fairly major operation and the preschool suggested that we take her in just for Santa's visit. I thought that was lovely.

They then had Santa visit her primary school every Christmas as well as having a grotto at the Christmas fair.

This is all pretty normal stuff. I have to admit that thinking that visiting Santa is just for families is a bit bonkers.

DisappointedOne · 30/09/2015 23:40

Because reception children at non-faith schools don't need to know the details of advent. And as Santa has not ever visited this house, and we don't celebrate Xmas/do presents at Xmas encouraging DD to write a letter asking for things for Xmas is not going to end well.

hairbrushbedhair · 30/09/2015 23:40

I'll admit it's amusing when people post an AIBU and then argue they've not BU despite 99% of people say they are U

But it's more frustrating than when someone says oh okay I didn't understand such as this OP

She's explained why she was unhappy and posted several times

Viviennemary · 30/09/2015 23:41

I'm another one who can't really understand your take on this. Schools and playgroups and parties have visits from Santa. Is your DS to be banned from these as well. Just let him go and enjoy himself. YABU. totally.

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 30/09/2015 23:41

But johnscusack she's acknowledged that the thread didn't go her way and she was wrong she doesnt need to say any more! What did you want her to say reply to every single person going yes I was wrong when she said it three times!

Only1scoop · 30/09/2015 23:43

Blimey Op you jus can't win.

You've only made minimal contribution apparently.

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 30/09/2015 23:46

Thing is disappointed one there are no secular schools in England they are all confind by a broadly Christian ethos! So that means I'm afraid advent is going to to be discussed.

I understand more your not wanting your Dd not want to write to Santa, as part of that teaching should be many people celebrate Christmas other families don't, and it's a chance to introduce winter solace/other seasonal holidays of importance.