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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:
VioletCharlotte · 04/12/2017 17:49

I would. He's only 4, he won't miss much at school. But this is something he'll remember forever hopefully.

ByeByePrivacy · 04/12/2017 17:55

Go, looks amazing and sorry you are having a Christmas without him. Have your own Christmas on a different day, we did growing up and just thought "score 2 chirsmtasses" do Christmas Eve/Christmas Day as you would just on a different day, we grew up thinking Father Christmas knew about divorced parents and made extra trips wen requested before or after Christmas Day

user7654321 · 04/12/2017 18:09

YANBU at all!!! He is 4!! Anyone who says otherwise needs to gets into the festive spirit!!

EllenRipley · 04/12/2017 18:10

YANBU and yahboosucks and Hmm to everyone who says you are. He's FOUR. It's a one-off treat. It does my nut in the way some folk regard school as this immutable institution, the rules of which MUST be adhered to AT ALL TIMES. I'm not advocating keeping your kid off on a whim or making it a regular thing but there is more to life than school. I kept my son of for his birthday last week - not something I'd do every year and he knew it was a one-off treat - and he had a great day building Lego, spending time with family and eating cake. It's Christmas; make some memories, let his festive imagination run riot and enjoy your time together. Hell, give him the whole day off!

SantasLittleYelper · 04/12/2017 18:15

When my DD was about eight we won tickets to a singing showcase on the back of BBC’s “I could be Nancy”.

The experience was amazing and we went with the full blessing of the school, who agreed it was a unique chance to sing with the BBC choir and orchestra and very much educational.

Some things are worth it, and in your case YANBU.

EllenRipley · 04/12/2017 18:15

If this was going to be a one-off, as in a genuine once-in-ten years event, I would say YANBU, but it won't be, will it? Next year it'll be a extra day on the end of a long weekend at Centre Parks, then it'll be an 'educational' day trip, then it'll be a duvet day. And over the course of your child's education he will miss a few weeks for spurious reasons. Does that matter? I suppose it depends on how bright you think he is.

^^eh?? Get over yourself @Pengggwn

user7654321 · 04/12/2017 18:27

If this was going to be a one-off, as in a genuine once-in-ten years event, I would say YANBU, but it won't be, will it? Next year it'll be a extra day on the end of a long weekend at Centre Parks, then it'll be an 'educational' day trip, then it'll be a duvet day. And over the course of your child's education he will miss a few weeks for spurious reasons. Does that matter? I suppose it depends on how bright you think he is.

I would definitely take my kids out of school for e.g. Centre Parks, etc, if it only added up to a few weeks over their entire education, I honestly don’t think it would have an impact on final A-Level results. There are some things more important and fun than a very rigid insistence on 100% attendance!!

Jonsey79 · 04/12/2017 18:29

I teach primary and I say take him! Apart from the face that school isn't compulsory till he's 5, it's only an hour early on the last day of term.

Teachers and TAs are actually quite normal people. They will understand.

Hope you have a good time!

Notcool1984 · 05/12/2017 09:11

Yanbu, I would do it, he's four and will miss very little of the day. Surprised people think you are being U, life's too short - go for it I say!

my2bundles · 05/12/2017 09:20

Take him, enjoy the magical experience with him. After spending the last few months in and out of hospital with my youngest resulting in 66% attendance it's really opened my eyes to what is actually important. Go, enjoy, he is 4 he is not going to damage his education .

ToesInWater · 05/12/2017 11:15

Of course YANBU, he isn't even compulsory school age. My secondary school age daughter will miss the first three days of school in January because of an overseas holiday. Most of Mumsnet would probably have me burnt at the stake Grin I am making a decision based on what I know to be our family circumstances and couldn't give a rat's arse about the opinion of a whole load of randoms who live on the other side of the world.

Kaykee · 05/12/2017 12:39

Wouldn’t cross my mind to not go, he’s just little and he’ll love it, time for you both together as he won’t be with you at Christmas, (my 4 won’t either so I know how it feels)

Our school is pretty good with attendance, my son was quite ill last year with his asthma, so attendance was rubbish but never made to feel it was a giant issue or to feel bad as he was ill he’s not behind in anything for the sake of half an hour to an hour off I wouldn’t bat an eyelid just take him and enjoy x

Original poster
Mooey89 · 05/12/2017 14:05

I told the school this morning I need to collect DS at 2 on that day, didn’t give a reason just said I’m picking him up. They didn’t bat an eyelid.

My mum is coming too, reallly looking forward to it

OP posts:
Bigkingdom · 05/12/2017 14:10

Do it! In my experience those last days at school are spent doing Christmas activities, school plays, watching films, parties and so on. I doubt he will be missing any valuable learning time.

Bigkingdom · 05/12/2017 14:10

Oh and enjoy! Grin

3nonblondedd78 · 05/12/2017 14:11

Yanbu. Say he has an appointment and enjoy time with your son.

firawla · 05/12/2017 14:16

Yanbu and that narnia thing looks amazing! I’d love to do it but we’re not really local, hope you all have a lovely time

ILoveMyMonkey · 05/12/2017 14:20

I told the school this morning I need to collect DS at 2 on that day, didn’t give a reason just said I’m picking him up. They didn’t bat an eyelid.

Good for you, life is too short and childhood even shorter so Yanbu.

Some people need to take the stick out their arse and lighten up.

PandasRock · 05/12/2017 14:22

It isn’t something I would do, OP, but I hope you enjoy the trip. He really won’t miss anything in the last hour of the last day of term, apart from fun and games (which he will be having anyway).

My dd1’s school took her, in school time, to see Father Christmas, and a good time was had by all Grin

PandasRock · 05/12/2017 14:22

It isn’t something I would do, OP, but I hope you enjoy the trip. He really won’t miss anything in the last hour of the last day of term, apart from fun and games (which he will be having anyway).

My dd1’s school took her, in school time, to see Father Christmas, and a good time was had by all Grin

Aworldofmyown · 05/12/2017 14:24

It will be great, enjoy.

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