Fined for taking DD on holiday

[Strawberryshortcake40]

Yes I probably deserve a flaming here. Just received my fine from the council for taking DD out of school to go on holiday.

Which is kind of deserved as I know the rules etc etc.

However, as I have posted on here before. Her sister is very very unwell and has been for a long time. The holiday was thought to be something for her sisters recovery and it was vital my DD went for that for her sisters sake and to get a break herself (although it ended up that she got more ill and nearly didn't go!). Therefore homelife here has been harrowing to say the least for over 2 years now, DD deals with things every day that no child should have to.

AIBU to think the school know this. They know it was extenuating circumstances. They could have authorised it (and in fact her sister's school did).

And while I don't regard my child as a special snowflake I do believe that these things should be assessed on a case by case matter. And in fact I am the only parent to have been fined from the school! Even though many people trot of to Thailand or wherever for two weeks holiday every year!!

I will pay it of course. I'm just hurt that my DD has no help or support at school as she is thought to be coping. And now this.

I paid the fine last night. I won't be appealing against it because even though I know I have a pretty good case, I have enough on my plate.

And that's just it isn't it? The parents who are fined are either those we see it as part of the cost of their holiday, or ones like me who frankly have enough to deal with so just pay up.

OP, I wish you and your family all the best.

Personally, I think plenty of school rules are unfair, ridiculous and ill-thought-out. We as a society do not generally agree to rules that make no sense.

In fact, I think the only place this kind of woolly thinking works is in school. If I started a ridiculous rule in my house, trying (for example) to make my husband wear a party hat to all meals, it would not be long before he rebelled! Likewise at work if there was some blanket command that really was not fit for purpose, the work place would rebel. But schools seem to be able to impose this kind of guff without question.

Clearly as children get older missing school is harder (including harder on them) but for younger children it is not such a big deal, especially in exceptional circumstances.

Not all families are the same, some have additional needs, some kids are given extra reading and literacy, some use a wheelchair, some have behavioural issues etc. School needs to accommodate these things. And some kids may need additional holiday requirements. Most people would acknowledge a holiday is a vital part of family life. Most of us expect a week away a year at least with our nearest and dearest. Why make this so difficult for struggling families. It is shameless.

Italiangreyhound......its a bit of both! Not allowed, will get fined and I've never been one to take them out. Also dd1 is year 11 now and hasn't missed one day of school since starting year 7, she refuses to break her 100% attendance!

Thank you for your kind words.

hugs

Sounds to me like the extenuating circumstances were met tbh. Kinda wish you’d not paid. But I understand completely why you did.

Schools can be ridiculous. I requested holiday last year, having not taken kids out of school once in 10 years. For an 80th. 2 of the 3 schools my children attend unauthorised. So I stayed home whilst the eldest child went with my husband. We STILL got the fine, just for asking for the holiday during school time without even taking it! 😳 ofc I DID contest that... :)

Good luck to you and your children xx I’m glad you went from the sounds of what you’ve said. Xx