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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:
SocraticJunkieWannabe · 14/09/2020 17:25

Only ever took DD out of school for one day, for grandparent's special birthday celebration, when she was in Reception (she's now at secondary) I wouldn't do it for Legoland, but would see if school have any Inset days coming up.

Beechview · 14/09/2020 17:29

I would at primary school. I have taken a day here and there to add to a holiday and not been fined.
Families that support their kids education won’t suddenly be lacking because of a day off here and there.

stoptheworldiwant2getoff · 14/09/2020 17:30

Only if they had been through an recent illness/bereavement or something

Didkdt · 14/09/2020 17:31

I've known parents do it in Yr1. I would've be heading off to a theme park with a second wave brewing if for no other reason than that one day off could turn into 8-10 days with Covid and however long self isolation for the last.member of your family to catch it.

ShinyGreenElephant · 14/09/2020 17:32

Once in a while yes. I always keep my oldest off on her birthday and we go on a day out. The school dont like it but they wouldn't fine you for one day unless your attendance is awful.

I think teaching your child to lie to the school is a really awful message though so definitely tell the truth

Angelmonkey · 14/09/2020 17:32

My oldest has missed 1 day of school when we had the opportunity to go on a once in a lifetime trip to Lapland. We wouldn’t have taken him out for a trip to a theme park

MeredithGreysScalpel · 14/09/2020 17:37

No, I haven’t and wouldn’t do this.

I don’t think it sends the right message and promotes a terrible work ethic - particularly to those whose parents suggest pretending they were sick. Why don’t we all phone I’m sick to work too for this reason while we’re at it?!

FinallyHere · 14/09/2020 17:43

Colour me old fashioned, but I am genuinely shocked that anyone would even contemplate taking their children out of school for such a trivial activity.

It would serve them much better to show them how Learning is fun, an education can enhance their entire life, both in terms of earning enough to be comfortable and discovering a lifetime of interesting things.

A fun day out at a theme park, no comparison

Southernsoftie76 · 14/09/2020 17:50

Yes, I would and wouldn’t think twice about it. The winter is coming and it’s going to be a long miserable one for kids, a lovely day out while the weather is still warm is a brilliant idea.

chunkyrun · 14/09/2020 17:57

I would kids have missed out on so much.

Jellycatspyjamas · 14/09/2020 17:59

*It would serve them much better to show them how Learning is fun, an education can enhance their entire life, both in terms of earning enough to be comfortable and discovering a lifetime of interesting things.

A fun day out at a theme park, no comparison*

For many children learning isn’t fun at all, and school is an awful place for many children - for lots of different reasons, most of them out with the child’s control. If a day off at a theme park helped a child brace themselves for the next x weeks at school I’d totally go for it.

Education isn’t just about school and doesn’t only happen in a school building.

Cuppaand2biscuits · 14/09/2020 18:07

I used to do it a few times a year when my eldest was reception and year 1 age but then she got to the age where she worried about what she was missing out on and asked me not to do it again.
I have done it again now she's older and the novelty of school has worn off.
You do have to lie to the school though and say they are poorly or the school get very cross.

Matilda400 · 14/09/2020 18:10

My SIL took her 4 kids 5-13 out for three weeks to Disney Florida, took the fines, so this doesn't seem like anything to me.

MitziK · 14/09/2020 18:22

@Matilda400

My SIL took her 4 kids 5-13 out for three weeks to Disney Florida, took the fines, so this doesn't seem like anything to me.
One school I worked at gave the kids' places away to people who actually needed and wanted them for something similar.
Lilybet1980 · 14/09/2020 18:26

How can you expect your child to take attendance seriously later in their education if you let them know it’s ok to skip school now?

ScarMatty · 14/09/2020 18:36

@Lilybet1980

How can you expect your child to take attendance seriously later in their education if you let them know it’s ok to skip school now?
Because you teach them that life is about balance. And education isn't everything.
Furiousfive · 14/09/2020 18:38

I think this is fine, as long as you're not doing it all the time. We're taking the kids (Y1 and Y3) out of school for a day to got to Harry Potter World - it'll be an experience they'll (hopefully) remember for a long time

lioncitygirl · 14/09/2020 18:39

nope, school is more important (IMO).

lioncitygirl · 14/09/2020 18:40

In our school - they would give The kids places away for prolonged absence for a 3 week to Florida etc. We have a wait list so... I’m sure 1 day will be fine OP, I wouldn’t do it tho.

OwlBeThere · 14/09/2020 18:41

Yes, I have when the kids were small occasionally.

JinglesWish · 14/09/2020 18:46

I’m planning to do this in December. A treat day out on a Friday, so that we can go to the Natural History Museum when it isn’t so busy. Annual tradition. I’m not telling the school in advance.

Casschops · 14/09/2020 18:51

This year has been shite, kids need some fun I'd totally go.

SpringSunshineandTulips · 14/09/2020 19:04

No. I think we could be seeing local lockdowns and the need to self isolate due to bubbles bursting so my kids will be in school as much as they are able to be (and want to be in school too as they’ve missed it so much!)

TheEC · 14/09/2020 19:08

After months and months of lockdown I am prioritising my child’s education.

In general I wish schools would give us two days a year where we can take them out to do such a thing.

Matilda400 · 14/09/2020 19:14

@MitziK and @lioncitygirl they should do! They go every year and make up some excuse every time Hmm

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