To have requested 2 days off from school

[MozzchopsThirty]

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!

At my graduation one of my fellow students had rollerskates on
She skated a cross the stage
It wasn't boring at all

I wouldn't take children out of school for this. We went to DD1s graduation 2 years ago. It was the first time I had attended one and it was a boring, impersonal, moneymaking rip off. I hated so much I didn't go to my own 6 months later and DD2 has decided she won't be attending hers later this year.

It all seems pointless - my achievement was getting the degree several months before the graduation ceremony and my proud moment was opening the email with my results and the sharing of the news with my friends and family. Dressing up in an expensive hired gown, walking across a stage to be congratulated by a stranger and having overpriced photos taken holding a bit of drainpipe with a ribbon tied round it is just film-flam.

Don't u think it's ironic how to celebrate someone doing well at school etc, you're taking your children out of school?

@Loonoon OP doesn’t think so. Thousands of people don’t think so.

Some people choose to support their dc whether it’s boring or not.

I think it's mad that English schools won't "authorise" this. Nobody would bat an eye in Australia.

Although I do agree that graduations are boring even for adults.

There's no thought here as to what the DC may like. Op may be thinking "what a lovely family day". What dc1 may be thinking is "I will have a lovely day with DM with just us". Then for the op's graduation, at ours we sat separately from our families and they would not have let unaccompanied 8yo and 13yo in. What if dc1 does have other plans at that time.

It's sounds a lovely family day from the op's side, but I'd have thought having a separate day to celebrate, meal out and go somewhere they'll all enjoy will be much more appreciated by all.

One of my DC graduated from a Welsh university. That was fun, sitting through everything twice - once in Welsh, once in English.

Of course I did it to support my DC, and was immensely proud of them, but it doesn't change the fact that sitting listening to not-very-inspirational speeches and watching lots of other graduates troop up, shake someone's hand and walk off is deeply boring. I wouldn't subject children to it unless they (a) knew precisely what was involved and (b) really wanted to be there.

I've been to 3 graduations so far and never seen any children present.

My own graduation was boring enough (also Welsh uni so everything twice) I certainly wouldn't subject a child to it! They're not really child friendly events and taking a child out of school for it seems a bit odd.

@GnotherGnu I have been to a Welsh graduation too, seemed to take forever but it was worth it to see my sister graduate. She was 5 days overdue with her first baby and we were worried we may need a wheel barrow to get her on stage.

I’d do it without a shadow of doubt.

We took DS2 out for one day for DS1’s pass out parade in the army. He was Yr13, they didn’t authorise it neither did they authorise an afternoon so he could see DH leave on a 4 month deployment. Wild horses wouldn’t have kept DS2 away. It was a really important day for our family and had we not have taken him he’d have driven himself.

DS2 wants DS1 at his graduation but we’re not sure if it’s possible, yet. Maybe Mozzchops’ DD wants her brothers there too?

My boring graduation was a Welsh uni too. Hearing it once was bad enough, twice was torture! Zzzzz!

Dd has specifically asked that her brothers are there
We are practically the only family we have

What a load of party poopers!

I work in a university and lots of children are present on the day. It is always a fun occasion with graduates milling around in their fancy hats. It is inspirational to see a family member graduate.

Yes, the clapping gets a bit tedious but most 8 year olds have plenty of experience of sitting through school assemblies, church services etc.

If the OP can’t get extra tickets then most universities have a room where you can watch the ceremony live.

Our son graduated in July last year and we got authorisation to take one of his brothers out of school as it was a special event.

FFS there are some pitiful joy suckers in this world aren't there?

it's not about the content or 'show', it's about celebrating a HUGE achievement, wanting to see your sibling or mother attain something that they have worked so hard for.

massive kudos to you Mozz, you have overcome SO much and you are such an inspiration to your kids

They won't authorise it. But they should

Congrats to you op and your dd1