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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you/have you taken dc out of school for a day for a one off day trip/treat

202 replies

shatteredmama · 14/09/2020 11:52

Just that really - dc in yr 1, had pretty much 100% attendance in yr R, has no issues, sociable, doing well..

This wouldn’t have crossed my mind previously but following two recent experiences during summer hols and a weekend when we went to Legoland/Chessington and were faced with ridiculous queues of 1.5 hr plus for rides compared with how quiet those places are today (I’ve checked queue times in their apps) it does strike me that dc would’ve had a far better experience going school time mid week with me then catching up on a bit of schoolwork at the weekend.

I’d only intend on doing this once or twice a year, I don’t expect it will sit well with the school however so am just wondering if any of you have done this and how the schools responded, or how you dealt with it if going about it a different way.

Am new to the voting thing, but please vote yes if you’d do what I’m planning or no if you wouldn’t, thanks 🙏

OP posts:
Kazakaren · 14/09/2020 14:52

I would have done in primary. Not secondary.

Gatehouse77 · 14/09/2020 14:54

We’ve never planned it as such but there have been times when we have done it. Where our collective mental health has benefited from it I have no regrets.

Pipandmum · 14/09/2020 14:55

Nope. Sorry if you take your kid out one day, another kid goes out another... there are plenty of days you can take your child to an amusement park that are quieter than high summer.
I'd only take mine out for a funeral of a close relative or something like that.

DoubleDolphin · 14/09/2020 15:03

"I'd only take mine out for a funeral of a close relative or something like that."

Blimey.

snowqu33n · 14/09/2020 15:04

My mum always made us go to school unless we were extremely ill and there were many years when I had perfect 100% attendance.

One time only, she kept me and my sister off school and took us for a treat. I remember it really clearly and always will. We have had a turbulent relationship through the years and it made a difference that she did that. It showed that she was trying to connect with us.

Drbrowns · 14/09/2020 15:06

At the moment, probably not because of the amount of school they’re going to miss for every cough and cold, as well how much they’ll miss if they shut the schools again. During normal times I wouldn’t have a problem doing it, once or twice a year.

Crunchymum · 14/09/2020 15:09

My Year 1 child had good attendance in reception, although she did miss 35% of the school year Shock

MandosHatHair · 14/09/2020 15:12

I knew this thread would be about Legoland Grin

Before the pandemic I would have taken DS out of school, but I'm not so sure about now as they have missed so much school already.

Please send thoughts and prayers, I have booked legoland for October half term! At least it's booked with Tesco points and not 'real' money

amijustparanoidorjuststoned · 14/09/2020 15:54

When they've already missed so much school? Nah.

thelegohooverer · 14/09/2020 15:59

My dc get upset at the thoughts of missing school. Either school has changed a lot since I was there, or, my real children were switched for aliens.

CatsArePeopleToo · 14/09/2020 16:24

I do, I lie about it and have zero remorse

BirthdayCakes · 14/09/2020 16:32

I've done it - and I'll do it again!!

I wouldn't tell the school but basically life's too short - and yours are so young they really aren't going to/haven't missed anything that they won't be able to catch up on..

Having said that I've never been one for week long term time holidays

jessstan2 · 14/09/2020 16:37

I would have done so in year one.

ScarMatty · 14/09/2020 16:38

Absolutely!

The chances of the school proceeding with any type of fine are very small

I'm a teacher and would have no hesitation taking DS out for a day or 2

Trust me, there are many things that happen daily that impact a child much more

millymollymoomoo · 14/09/2020 16:38

Prior to school closures no. Since then, absolutely

BellsaRinging · 14/09/2020 16:43

I have and I certainly would after this current debacle. I think it would be very difficult to argue that me taking a 9yo out for a few days would adversely affect his education when the government were happy to let him sit at home for 6 months with naff all from the school to assist.
The 15yo I wouldnt...but his education is fucked atm. He's also had no teaching for 6 months but will apparently be up to speed to take his GCSEs in 9 months time....Hmm

SleepingStandingUp · 14/09/2020 16:43

Thing is of you take them out because you fancy going to Legoland how do you justify them having to go when they want a day off? Ok your the adult yes so they only have to go on days you decide by it it just doesn't seem like the best arguement for encouraging good attendance.

If they're really struggling and you basically take them out to give them a days respite th y NEED I think that's different than Mommy what's to go to the zoo

lazylinguist · 14/09/2020 16:49

No. Especially not in order to avoid queues at a theme park. Everyone would like to avoid queues. Everyone would like to have cheaper holidays. But if everyone decided to just skive off whenever they fancied it, it wouldn't make for great continuity and progress at school.

I find the obsession with attendance as irritating as the next person, but because kids can't help it if they're ill, not because their parents can't help but take them to a theme park when it's quiet!

Splendidseptember · 14/09/2020 16:53

Yes absolutely op, go for it!

I think education is one of the most valuable things we have but life, fun, balance is more valuable..
It feels very churlish to blame some schools attitude to lock down but I'm afraid, as pp said they were comfortable to let pupils flounder..

Perro · 14/09/2020 17:09

No, I haven’t and wouldn’t.

Rosebel · 14/09/2020 17:09

I never have but in normal times especially at his age I'd say do it. However these aren't normal times so for that reason YABU.
Maybe see how much of the school year they are in for.
If it gets closer to summer and he's been in school most of the time then take him for a day out then.
Don't tell the school though.

lakeswimmer · 14/09/2020 17:10

Only if there was a very good reason or they weren't missing anything much. I can think of two occasions when we've done this. DC got a chance to go on a reward trip (ironically for high attendance) but didn't want to go on the trip being offered and so I agreed they could stay at home. No point in spending money on a trip they don't want to do and they were't missing lessons.

I also agreed to DC staying off school so they could meet my uncle and cousins who were in the UK from overseas. They had a packed schedule of visits to relatives all over the UK and the only time they could see us was on a weekday. No regrets - it was a one-off opportunity to meet my uncle whose health was poor and who was a really lovely and interesting person. We had a fantastic day with them. I knew they wouldn't get another chance; he died four months later.

Mummadeeze · 14/09/2020 17:13

I tried to suggest doing this to my child as we got given free tickets to a theme park on a school day and she was horrified and said no way! We had to give them to someone else! At that age I might if I were you but not at the moment.

DelphiniumBlue · 14/09/2020 17:17

I have done, particularly for DS2 who hated school, and so if it was his birthday or he was feeling in need of a mental health day, I did let him have the odd day off and we would do something nice.
He's grown up now, with a decent job,and a first class degree, and is one of the cleverest and most knowledgeable people I know - school isn't the be all and end all for everyone, it is possible to learn independently. Little children in particular don't cover much content in a day,and a family day out can be really beneficial.

MitziK · 14/09/2020 17:21

@Gobbycop

Yes, missing a couple of days of school a year will have fuck all impact on their education.

Why would school even know? They were sick weren't they.

The kids tell you all about their fun days off when they get back.
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