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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

US road trip. Should I take DD out of school?

138 replies

Dogsandbabies · 21/08/2016 10:21

My DD is 4 and due to start school in September. DP and I want to go to the US for a road trip, total of 3 weeks. The plan is to go to museums, theatres, sights. Incorporate New York, Washington, Chicago.

AIBU to want to take her out of school for 2 weeks (we would be using half term) in February? She won't be 5 yet so I think legally I am OK to do that, but would you do it?

OP posts:
AppleMagic · 21/08/2016 21:46

I agree Click I wouldn't suggest doing it in Feb. April should be much better.

clicknclack · 21/08/2016 21:47

I have not been in that area in April but my guess is that unless they have late snow like this year that it will be much improved.

Shizzlestix · 21/08/2016 21:49

I think she'll be bored. It's my favourite holiday, done loads all over the States, but strictly only in summer! It's great for adults, I should think a 4 year old would rather be in school, frankly.

OllyBJolly · 21/08/2016 21:54

I did several road trips down the east coast with my two when they were very young. Sometimes with my sister who had two DCs same age, sometimes on my own. She lives in Toronto and we have family in GA and SC.

We went to a wedding in GA one April and the temps were in the 80s and it was snowing as we drove back through New York State.

Kids that age are easy to entertain. We didn't do much "adult" stuff i.e. shows, museums etc. Downside is neither of my DDs really remember any of the early trips.

Anonymouses · 21/08/2016 21:55

School can't legally stop you at that age but they can mark it as unauthorised absence and likely would. If you want to check that ask them.

Personally I wouldn't want to start my kids first school year with 2 weeks unauthorised absence.

sentia · 21/08/2016 22:00

If it's an unauthorised absence but not an illegal unauthorised absence, what is the impact?

Daydream007 · 21/08/2016 22:07

That holiday sounds fantastic for an older child (8) but 4 is very young that that type of trip! Pity you couldn't postpone for a few years when she is old enough to appreciate and gain more of an educational experience. Saying that, I'd take an older child out of school for that sort of trip but missing school for Disneyworld is not something I would do.

belleandsnowwhite · 21/08/2016 22:10

I would do it.

HeathOnTheRight · 21/08/2016 22:10

At 6/8 maybe. At 4 u think it wouldn't be interesting for the child therefore a chore for me & dp

LeopardIsTheNewBlack · 21/08/2016 22:19

Going in April is a much better idea. I'm still not sure if I would want to drive to Chicago with a 4 year old, I would continue south from DC and go to the Carolinas.
For those thinking driving in Feb in the East Coast is no big deal have no clue. It is terrifying driving in freezing rain, a blizzard or even just heavy snow. We've had storms where people have been stranded in their cars for 24hrs, this was in town not in the countryside.

Blu · 21/08/2016 22:28

OP - April could only be an improvement on February!
is the May Bank Hol half term too late for you? Two weeks leading up to the Whitsun Bank hol and its half term?

sneepy · 21/08/2016 22:51

Also, I've just checked where Syracuse is. It's not between New York and Chicago unless you go the northern route, on I-90, past the Great Lakes and Detroit. The idea of doing that in February with a young child is just staggering. It's not unpleasant, it would be downright dangerous. People that live there are basically hibernating at that time. It would be like going camping in the outer Hebrides in January.

April would definitely be better but may better still!!

habenero20 · 21/08/2016 22:56

I agree with some of the comments. it's not the school thing that would stop me, it's just not clear that's the best trip to take with a four year old.

but it's not bad either. you may need to tone down the museums a bit and do some american child stuff. I spent some time in NYC but not with kids. No doubt there is a lot of stuff for them.

TreadingTheBoards · 21/08/2016 22:56

Those saying the 4 year old will be bored, so what?! Hmm Mum & Dad will have a great time, and should their DD get a little bored from time to time, what's the problem? They get bored at home.

My DD would have enjoyed that trip at age 4, I know she would have.

OP - I done something similar last Autumn, it was a fabulous time to visit with the leaves changing & Halloween coming up. No way you could do it then? If not, i'm sure whenever you go will be wonderful. She's a lucky little girl.

habenero20 · 21/08/2016 22:58

February?!? yes, it won't be very fun. it will be very snowy and driving conditions will be bad. americans do not do road trips in the winter for a good reason.

manicinsomniac · 21/08/2016 23:04

I'd have no problem with that - only reason I wouldn't choose February is the weather. Easter would be nicer? Or use the May half term?

I think the trip sounds great. Children enjoy what they're brought up with. I've rarely done kid's holidays (I'm a single parent so they bore me senseless unless I can get a friend to go with me) and have done loads of travelling holidays, theatre trips, museums etc with the children. They love it because it's what they know (and also I think that if you expose your children to your own passions they become passionate about them because you naturally share your own knowledge and enthusiasm with them and make it fun). Even if it wouldn't be their top choice, they've got their own adulthoods to choose their own holidays with their own money!! Grin

SuburbanRhonda · 21/08/2016 23:57

If it's an unauthorised absence but not an illegal unauthorised absence, what is the impact?

There's no such thing as an "illegal" unauthorised absence. She would get a G code in our school (family holiday not agreed), but as I posted upthread, would not be referred to education welfare as she is not yet of statutory school age.

springwaters · 22/08/2016 00:10

Worst snow I have ever had in the east coast was late march/early april. Snowed in for a while. Oddly we were in the same place almost 20 years later when the 1st snow came in very late this year. T-shirts in Connecticut on Christmas Eve by New Years Eve the snow had arrived in Maine.

USA snow is nothing like UK snow! The systems to manage it are amazing but it is really deep heavy snow. Only once in my life (northerner in rural location) have I seen snow in the Uk that is comparable to the snow that hits the east USA pretty much the whole winter.

I often to to New York or Boston in February. It can be really cold and grim. March is usually much better but can still be really cold.

Motherfuckers · 22/08/2016 05:19

April would be lovely, August would be shit and February even worse!

sonjadog · 22/08/2016 17:18

April would be a good time of year. Not as hot as summer and not as cold as February.

user1467393664 · 22/08/2016 17:19

I'd do it! She'll enjoy the new experiences and have a ball.

OlennasWimple · 22/08/2016 17:23

April would probably be a good time of the year, but be prepared for both 80 degree heat and minus 15 with snow...

beluga425 · 22/08/2016 17:26

Of course you should do it. It's your holiday too. Do all holidays post kids have to include Disney? Get her used to doing a range of different types of travelling. Then she'll always find it easier.

freetrampolineforall · 22/08/2016 17:29

Done all this recently. In school holidays. This is a Loooooooong road trip and your 4 year old won't enjoy it as much as you. Sorry, can't recommend.

Cubtrouble · 22/08/2016 17:30

Lot of jealous sounding people on here. Do it if you want to, I would and I have.

It sounds fantastic and basically can I come too?!

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