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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have requested 2 days off from school

119 replies

MozzchopsThirty · 26/02/2018 18:09

For ds1 and ds2 (8&13)

Dd graduates in June and I want us all to go, it's a Friday so one day off

I also graduate from my MSc in July (end of term 19th) although mine is local so I've requested half a day

AIBU???
I'm worried now that the schools will refuse, fine me and I should've just lied!

OP posts:
BalloonSlayer · 26/02/2018 18:57

They probably won't authorise authorise it but they will understand, be pleased for you, and put in a code that isn't "approved holiday" but that isn't "unauthorised absence" either.

WorraLiberty · 26/02/2018 18:57

You're going to take two children out of education needlessly for an event because you want to celebrate a commitment to education? Mixed messages much?

Actually that's a very fair point.

JustOneMoreStep · 26/02/2018 19:00

Head teachers absolutely do have the authority to authorize this type of abscence, and I would expect this sort of thing to be authorized, especially the secondary school aged child, in favour of 'raising aspirations' and encouraging them to value HE.

Congratulations to your daughter and yourself, the only people who don't value a degree level education are those that don't have one! I didn't go to my undergrad one and don't regret it but I did go to my subsequent one and yes, it's long, and can get tedious and dare I say it, boring, but it's an experience like no other and I'm so glad my family were able to share in it with me.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 26/02/2018 19:00

Yes Worra, it is a fair point. However it's only 2 days off school. It's hardly the end of the world.

fannyfelcher · 26/02/2018 19:02

I'm surprised at all the party poopers saying that kids would hate to go to a graduation and what a waste of time. Not everybody has been raised around academic success and sees it as boring as hell. I never knew a single person in real life as a child that had even been to university apart from my class teacher. None of my family had ever even considered it. Then my dad got a BA and became a teacher at 55. Me and my two sisters then made the choice to go to university and graduating was something we are super proud of. My sister and I are the first two in our family to graduate with an MA, this December, and it will be at the same ceremony. My kids can not wait as they are proud as hell of us, our parents can't wait either and its going to be a massive family event as want to encourage our kids to achieve even higher than us.

Not all of us were born with a silver spoon up our arse and a place in a top uni already reserved

WorraLiberty · 26/02/2018 19:04

No-one's saying it's the end of the world, Awwlookatmybabyspider?

wrenika · 26/02/2018 19:05

Graduation ceremonies are the most boring events ever. No kid wants to go to that...it's hardly some inspirational event to get excited about.

blackberryfairy · 26/02/2018 19:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsLinManuelMiranda · 26/02/2018 19:17

My DD's school were happy to authorise day off for her to go to mine. 3 years ago. She was 14 and enjoyed the day. in the end her school had an inset day, so there was no issue.

honeyroar · 26/02/2018 19:20

All I can remember about my own graduation is how incredibly boring it was. Personally I wouldn't pull kids out of school for it and I'd organsise a big family celebration at home at the weekend. I don't see how watching a ceremony shows more appreciation. I remember wanting to spend time with my fellow students at my graduation, I found it quite sad that we wouldn't see each other in the near future.

GummyGoddess · 26/02/2018 19:20

Are you sure you'll have enough tickets? My graduation was strictly limited to two per graduate, no exceptions at all.

RadioGaGoo · 26/02/2018 19:25

There will always be people who don't enjoy this sort of thing. That's their thing, you wanting to celebrate with your family at a graduation is yours.

Hissy · 26/02/2018 19:25

My friend’s 9yo was allowed to take time off to see his brother graduate

How else do you tap into the excitement of education and achievement

It would be a daft school to deny this.

If you don’t ask, you won’t know

If I were you, I’d advise of their attendance at the ceremonies rather than ask. Of course they are going to attend :)

MaderiaCycle · 26/02/2018 19:28

Carry on! I went to my Dad's ceremony at the age of about 6 (my sister - 4) and yes it was boring and my mum told us we had to clap EVERYONE to keep us busy, our hands hurt like hell by the time my Dad got on stage, but we still remember it, and the photos are great. A proud day for Dad as much as us.

PLUS sometimes kids have to be bored.

Julie8008 · 26/02/2018 19:28

Graduation ceremonies are not something I have ever seen children at, it would bore them silly. Its not appropriate to take children out of school for that.

YellowMakesMeSmile · 26/02/2018 19:31

The sisters I can sort of understand but I'd not let mine have time off, I'd just celebrate after school.

I wouldn't le them miss school to see a parents yet another qualification.

Discusting · 26/02/2018 19:31

If they want to go then take them and sod school.

I’m a teacher and them having 2 days off wouldn’t bother me at all. It’s only 2 days, if there attendance is otherwise good and they ask for the work to do st home they will be fine!

Family occasions are important!

cardibach · 26/02/2018 19:31

I’m really surprised st all the comments that graduations ar3 boring and pointless. I’ve been to several and didn’t find them so. But then I’m not 8n some sort of competition to look so cool that everything is beneath me like some seem to be.
Congrats OP and your daughter, and have 2 lovely days.

Reallycantbebothered · 26/02/2018 19:35

I went to my Ds graduation as Dr when I was 5....I was very proud of her as she was first in family to go to uni ....
my dcs went to their ds graduation 2 years ago( a 7 hr drive, so they had to come and it wasn't a problem to get tickets for them as well ) ....the ceremony actually only lasted 1 1/2 hrs ...so not all day! ....then met up with my dB and had a great family meal

InfiniteSheldon · 26/02/2018 19:35

My ds graduation involved a four hour seated wait dd's was slightly better at 3 hours and we only got two tickets for each, totally unsuitable for an 8 year old

Viviennemary · 26/02/2018 19:59

I'd have lied. No point in being honest these days. Gets you nowhere. (I used to play by the rules. Not any more. Nobody else does)

Gide · 26/02/2018 20:00

YABU, you should have just said they were sick.

CotswoldStrife · 26/02/2018 20:03

Have to echo all the previous poster that have asked you if you actually have enough tickets for both events, especially before asking the school!

Original poster
MozzchopsThirty · 26/02/2018 20:03

I still have time to hold on to
The secondary school letter, but I handed the primary school one in this evening

OP posts:
SuburbanRhonda · 26/02/2018 20:06

They probably won't authorise authorise it but they will understand, be pleased for you, and put in a code that isn't "approved holiday" but that isn't "unauthorised absence" either.

What, you think the school will record a reason for the absence that is basically a lie? What kind of school do your DC go to?

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