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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not send my ds to school?

40 replies

ClanMcLeod · 18/06/2019 18:45

So, ds (12) has gone on a 3 day school trip to Spain. They have had a full on schedule and are due to arrive back at school at midnight. It is unlikely he will be home and asleep before 1am.

If he's knackered tomorrow, it's a high probability as he tends to need lots of sleep, would I be unreasonable to let him have the day off?

OP posts:
Alwayssaythewrongthing · 18/06/2019 18:47

I would let him have the day off

TheoriginalLEM · 18/06/2019 18:49

Why would you send him? Im pretty sure it will be expected for them to stay home

Original poster
ClanMcLeod · 18/06/2019 18:52

The school are insisting the kids go to school tomorrow

OP posts:
Original poster
ClanMcLeod · 18/06/2019 18:54

I've already decided I won't send him if he's too tired. Just wondering if you think the school is being unreasonable or me, for allowing him to stay home.

OP posts:
PoppadomPeach · 18/06/2019 18:55

@TheoriginalLEM It was standard practice at the school I worked at to be in the next day. No matter what time you got back (one exemption for a 5am return due to delays)

I would wake him up as normal in the morning and see how he is. Try and send him in, if he's utterly exhausted then don't but I think he should be ok for a day at school. Very early night tomorrow night!

PoppadomPeach · 18/06/2019 18:56

Sorry LEM, I meant OP.

Bluerussian · 18/06/2019 18:57

I wouldn't wake him for school but if he does wake up naturally and feels like it, he can go in.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 18/06/2019 18:57

Ours also expects them in the following day or it's classed as unauthorised absence. I'd see how he is in the morning, he may sleep most of the journey back and be fine.

Mrsbclinton · 18/06/2019 18:58

No I would leave him at home he is 12!

Heratnumber7 · 18/06/2019 18:58

I'd send him. Let the school deal with a class of grumpy irritable tired 12 year olds

MrsTWH · 18/06/2019 18:58

I’d send him in. Early night that day!

TeenTimesTwo · 18/06/2019 19:05

I'd send him in, it shows willing.

The non-MFL departments have to some extent agreed to / had to put up with this trip happening on school days and missing their lessons. He shouldn't miss a third day too.

My DD's school makes it clear on a similar trip that the DC are expected in and if too many don't turn up they won't be able to run similar trips in the future. (They also make the timings clear when you sign up for the trip.)

The teachers will all be in, and they've done the trip and had the responsibility of looking after all the kids.

RedSkyLastNight · 18/06/2019 19:06

Won't he sleep most of the way home if he's had a full on trip?

BlueMerchant · 18/06/2019 19:09

I'd send him in.

herculepoirot2 · 18/06/2019 19:11

I wouldn’t have sent him knowing he would not be able to cope with one night of less sleep.

Kungfupanda67 · 18/06/2019 19:12

My 5 year old went to school the day after our holiday and we landed at 11.30pm. He was knackered that night but fine at school. I would think he’ll be fine for one day, if possible let him sleep until 8 and then get ready quickly and drop him in

herculepoirot2 · 18/06/2019 19:12

To Spain, I mean.

BarryBarryTaylor · 18/06/2019 19:15

I think send him in. It’s not as if they are flying long haul, it’s only Spain. He will probably nap on the flight and in the coach back to school.

MaMisled · 18/06/2019 19:16

He will probably want to go in, on a high from his adventures and wanting to chat about it!

avalanching · 18/06/2019 19:32

We got back from holiday the night before a school day much later than that when DS was 6, I still sent him to school. He was fine.

Original poster
ClanMcLeod · 18/06/2019 19:34

Thanks everyone! Some really good points that I hadn't thought of.

I did know the schedule but I just assumed they wouldn't be expected in the next day but yes, I should have checked.

OP posts:
KindergartenKop · 18/06/2019 19:45

I bet the teachers will be expected to go in (and haven't had a wink of sleep for 3 days policing over excited kids on a trip).

GreyCloud0 · 18/06/2019 19:49

I would send him in and then just give him an early night the next night

ValleyoftheHorses · 18/06/2019 19:49

I wouldn’t send him as but I also wouldn’t go to work if I had arrived home from holiday at midnight. I would arrange a day off.
I’d probably let him sleep until he wakes with no alarm if you can, then let him have a lazy breakfast, then take him in late morning. They will be expecting them to be in late I would imagine.

lisaorris99 · 18/06/2019 19:53

Send him in. I’m a teacher and these days we have to really battle to take kids on trips on school time. The number of pupils off the day after could make the difference to the trip being run next year (really)

And yes the teachers will be in and won’t have had any time off either.

He’ll be fine. Early night tomorrow!