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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Holidays in term time

33 replies

Fullofthought · 22/07/2018 17:15

Been a tough two years with no holiday for my 6 year old DD. I can afford a holiday this year but it's the 3rd week of the new school year. Wibu to do it and enjoy my time with her or just go for a weekend?

OP posts:
Deshasafraisy · 22/07/2018 17:17

I’d go on holiday for a week. She’s only 6, what is she going to miss?

Pengggwn · 22/07/2018 17:19

My view is that it's fine as a one-off. I'd say missing a week annually will make a discernible difference to her education overall, but this one week won't. Does she have good attendance otherwise?

ZenNudist · 22/07/2018 17:19

Do it. Not like a 6yo is going to miss much at school

IME you could lose a week to illness. If your school is strict just call in sick. Tummy bug on monday morning = 48 hr rule. Ring again on weds. Still bad bout of diarrhoea. Friday morning. They still arent right so keeping off until monday. Presto!

Original poster
Fullofthought · 22/07/2018 17:22

If we were to do it it's Mon to Mon so 6 days off school

OP posts:
TeenTimesTwo · 22/07/2018 17:28

Can you go any later? Third week into the school year isn't ideal timing.

Don't lie to the school. The DD won't be able to keep it a secret so you'll just look untrustworthy.

Original poster
Fullofthought · 22/07/2018 17:31

It ties in with my 30th and it's the time I can get it cheaper that week.

OP posts:
C2205 · 22/07/2018 17:39

I've booked our first proper holiday for me and my two sons the second week of term. Hubby is staying home to look after animals/work etc. They are older to be fair (17 & 15) and will only be missing 3 & 1/2 days of school due to work experience and they only do half day Fridays. (Ireland)
BUT the main reason I booked for when I did is that the same holiday in July or August would be around 1,800 euro incl flights compared to 600 euro 2nd week of September. We'd never be able to afford to go during term time!!
As a family and my youngest (15) it's been a tough year and I really can't see any issues when they go back and I let the school know etc.
Of parents and school work together and the kids aren't constantly missing school days anyway etc then common sense prevails etc. I'd never do it if it coincided with exams/revision weeks etc but I don't think sensible families would consider it either x

C2205 · 22/07/2018 17:41

*just realised I seem to have a habit of over using etc - sorry lol x

Lifeisabeach09 · 22/07/2018 17:56

I took my DD away during term time. She missed five school days.
There is no way I can afford to take her away during the summer holidays being on a single, low-ish income.
Do it.

donajimena · 22/07/2018 18:01

I've done it and I'll be doing it next year. I squeezed a holiday in this year in the hols because my youngest is 12 so I had a free child place. Next year eldest finishes GCSE,s and youngest is year 9 so we will take a week out.

MaisyPops · 22/07/2018 18:04

6 days at y2/3 isn't a massive deal overall if her attendance is otherwise good.

It becomes an issue when parents routinely do term time holidays, there's poor attendance etc (or are totally cheeky fuckers e.g. take 2 weeks away during y11 over controlled assessment dates which were given a year in advance! They then expected me to tutor their child through the missed material. Or we are taking DC on a 6 week trip to our home country. Can you provide the work in advance for her. No. She can catch up on return. 'But you have a legal duty to educate our child'... If you want almost 2 months holiday that's not me denying her an education)

Cuppaand2biscuits · 22/07/2018 18:05

I'd do it. She'll be there the first few weeks to settle into new classroom. She could easily miss a week if she came down with a nasty virus or chicken pox. At 6 it won't make any difference.

NailsNeedDoing · 22/07/2018 18:10

At the start of a busy SATs year I wouldn't, it's really not an ideal time. Unless your dd is one of the highest achievers in the class, you could be putting her at a disadvantage at school. There are times in the school year when it's not too bad if parent should take them out, but three weeks into the new school year is far from it.

SerenDippitty · 22/07/2018 18:15

IME you could lose a week to illness. If your school is strict just call in sick. Tummy bug on monday morning = 48 hr rule. Ring again on weds. Still bad bout of diarrhoea. Friday morning. They still arent right so keeping off until monday. Presto!

As long as the OP doesn’t post any photos on Facebook......

Applepudding2018 · 22/07/2018 18:24

Do it definitely.

My only concern would be whether the school/ LA would fine you? Or would you say she's sick? I don't so much have an issue with lying to the school as to tempting fate. Do you have to speak to anyone in person when you let them know your DD isn't in school or is there an answerphone? I find if there's an answerphone it's easier to be vague - have taken DS out for odd days and have just left message 'just phoning to let you know that DS won't be in school today' .

JacquesHammer · 22/07/2018 18:28

I would check on the LA’s policy on fining for term-time holidays.

BoxsetsAndPopcorn · 22/07/2018 18:34

I'd do the weekend, maybe go Friday straight from school and come back Sunday night. I won't take mine out term time as don't want them to think school can be ditched to do something more fun.

If you do it though be honest. Schools know when you are lying as the children tell them and all it does it break the trust in the relationship.

HollyGibney · 22/07/2018 18:37

Do it. I did it every year for six years. Going to secondary next year and it's a great school that we were lucky to get so no more term time holidays sadly.

cricketmum84 · 22/07/2018 18:43

She's 6, it's not like she's gonna be kissing out on quantum physics week!
When my DS was 6 it was before the fines and we could take them out for 2 weeks with permission. He hasn't missed out and is doing perfectly well. Book the holiday and I hope you both have a lovely time!

keletezup · 22/07/2018 18:52

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Sirzy · 22/07/2018 18:54

I wouldn’t do it so early in the academic year. Can you link it into/make it closer to half term?

EskSmith · 22/07/2018 18:58

I'd go for it. However in most areas you will definitely get fined if you miss over 10 registrations, am & pm so 5 days. You may still get fined but less likely if you keep it to 5 days or less.
I'd advise against pretending she is sick, you would be teaching your dd to lie and she would almost certainly let something slip. Not a good example to set.

Rebecca36 · 22/07/2018 18:58

Do go on holiday. You have to put your own needs first sometimes.

JacquesHammer · 22/07/2018 19:08

Do bear in mind as well that in cases of split households, the Fine can be per parent too.

Original poster
Fullofthought · 22/07/2018 19:12

I would never say she was ill I would just take her out if it was that I book. Head teacher knows what's been going on in our life this last few years and I'm expecting a very important bit of news to come during the holidays which means we can move on in life so would be to celebrate that. Don't know when this letter will come though. But on the next 6 weeks we will be able to draw a line under everything.

OP posts: