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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take my child out of school to see Santa...?

146 replies

Mooey89 · 04/12/2017 15:25

He’s 4, one of the youngest in the class. This year he’s at his dads for the first time for Christmas, so trying to over compensate a bit probably!

There’s a big special Santa event arranged by the local radio station, it’s supposed to be incredible, travels around the country so not available next year.

I booked our tickets back in august(!) and the only available non day time slot left was 3:30... they’ve just emailed saying we need to be there an hour early so need to pick DS up from school at 2:30!
He’s in year R... it’s the 18th Dec. I figure he won’t miss much...

AIBU?!

OP posts:
tampinfuminragin · 04/12/2017 16:07

It's not like he's missing the whole day. Take him out and enjoy your Santa days

Original poster
Mooey89 · 04/12/2017 16:08

Wow!

To the person who said today Father Christmas... tomorrow Duvet day... YANRidiculous.

For a start I work pretty well full time in a busy job so can’t be taking him off because I CBA to take him!

Education is important to me, we read every night, write, so spellings... but he’s 4 and at that time of the day at school it’s ‘free play’ anyway!

The Nativity is next week and there’s nothing on that day

OP posts:
Original poster
Mooey89 · 04/12/2017 16:08

Oh and yes it is Narnia!!!!!!!! Don’t tell me it’s crap!

OP posts:
Phalenopsisgirl · 04/12/2017 16:11

I wouldn’t make a habit of booking things like this in school time but as this was a one off oversight and he is so young there really can be no harm in it.

newmumwithquestions · 04/12/2017 16:11

He’s four. YANBU.

Have a lovely time.

LuckyAmy1986 · 04/12/2017 16:11

YANBU I would do it

grasspigeons · 04/12/2017 16:12

you need to pick him up at 2.30? I doubt this one off will matter. As long as it stays as a one off.

ButterfliesAreWeird · 04/12/2017 16:12

Because hes only 4 he's not technically school age yet so you'd be well within your rights to do so

Backingvocals · 04/12/2017 16:13

oh flipping heck, of course you should take him. It's something you would like to do together with him, it's not every week and he's only 4.

Are the people who say YABU also the people who say you must never go to A&E ever, even if you've got a leg hanging by a thread? I don't think of myself as a rebellious law-breaker but those YABU people make me want to do something outrageous (like take a child out of school an hour early).

ladybirdsaredotty · 04/12/2017 16:14

Wow, I'd definitely go in those circumstances! Although odd that a child's activity has suddenly declared you need to be there early, they must know lots will still be at school.

Can't believe anyone thinks 1 hour at the end of the day in the run up to Christmas will make a difference to his education or is somehow indicative of the fact he'll miss loads of school in the future Confused

Have fun! Smile

wifeyhun · 04/12/2017 16:14

YANBU go and have a lovely time.

therealposieparker · 04/12/2017 16:15

At under five there's very little they can do.... do it.

PoppyFleur · 04/12/2017 16:18

I struggle to get het up about missing a couple of hours of school (especially in reception year). If your child is in school for afternoon register he won't be marked as absent and it won't impact the school reporting attendance figures to local authority.

I have an auto immune disease, children are walking Petri dishes, you can just imagine what my school attendance was like throughout my childhood. However, I still managed to go to university and achieve both under grad and post grad qualifications.

School is important but 1 hour off does not a failed education make. Go see Father Christmas and enjoy it.

Panicattheschoolgate · 04/12/2017 16:19

I wouldn't I think all learning time is precious but I think there is no legal obligation to send him until the 1st term after he is 5, so with parental consent he could go no hassle.

tiggerbounce77 · 04/12/2017 16:20

Take him and enjoy. If it is as magical as it sounds he will remember it for years to come.

EdmundCleverClogs · 04/12/2017 16:20

Take him, he’s four and it’s the last couple of days of term. Not like he’s building up to exams or anything of big educational significance that means missing an hour of school puts him at a disadvantage.

It must be tough for any parents who share custody not to have their child on Christmas Day. I think most would ‘make up’ for it in some way. I also think most who are being the most sanctimonious here are lucky enough not to be in that position. Especially at this age, where there is still a belief in all the ‘magic’, that doesn’t last long at all.

SparklingSnowfall · 04/12/2017 16:20

I thought you were going to say god the whole day. An hour early, just this once would be OK I think.

Dailystuck71 · 04/12/2017 16:22

It’s santa, I’ve never called him Father Christmas. We’re not all from England.

Go, have fun. He’s 4.

SlothMama · 04/12/2017 16:22

He's 4, I'd do it he won't miss anything!

stayhomeclub · 04/12/2017 16:25

Do it. Go and have a fabulous time! I wouldn’t hesitate.

Beamur · 04/12/2017 16:26

I've accidentally booked something for DD and I thinking it was after term finished but got the date wrong.
Her Head was actually very relaxed about me taking her out of school early, can't give permission, but it's not going to be a problem. I guess not all Heads will react in the same way though. DD has an otherwise very good level of attendance.
I think age 4 missing a day isn't going to be too critical.

Soubriquet · 04/12/2017 16:26

Oh god do it.

He's 4 not 14.

Have fun

ShoesHaveSouls · 04/12/2017 16:26

YANBU - he's four. Invent a dentist appointment and pick him up early.

Some people are so harsh and strict on here - I mean it'll be an hour off school, a day or two away from end of term.

AJPTaylor · 04/12/2017 16:28

I would.
I wouldnt ask Mumsnet permission
I wouldnt tell school.

Unhingedtoday · 04/12/2017 16:28

Take him! He's 4 and you will have a great time. We had to take our 4 year old to the eye hospital today, his appointment was at 2, we went and fetched him at 12 and all had a lovely lunch together before he had his appointment. No harm done and he had a lovely time.