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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take my kids out of school for the last week of term to save risking our holiday

102 replies

DIYandEatCake · 05/07/2021 21:30

We stupidly booked a uk holiday starting a couple of days after term ends in a few week’ time (about 6 months ago, thinking Covid would be a distant memory by now). Cases are rising in our area, there’s been one in my son’s class (he’s currently isolating) and in nearly all schools round here. I’ve never taken the kids out of school in term time before, but am very tempted to just take them out of school for the last week and homeschool them (I won’t be working that week) so that we can all just enjoy a much needed break. It’s our only holiday this year, with grandparents the kids adore and haven’t seen much of, and we won’t get our money back if we cancel at short notice. The kids are happy to miss the end of term (they’re really looking forward to this holiday and getting anxious about covid cases/isolating) and obviously not much learning goes on in the last week. Sports days etc will all have happened by then. But I’m worried about getting in trouble with the school or getting fined (I would be honest with school). AIBU to keep them at home that last week?

OP posts:
finallyfoundout · 05/07/2021 23:27

I'm in Scotland. A lot of people's did this towards the end of term. I didn't. DS had to isolate and we missed our holiday!

PurpleSproutingSomething · 05/07/2021 23:30

I wrote and asked my DS school if this would be possible as we have a wedding on the weekend of 16/17
So his last day is 7th. I just can't take the risk. school agreed.

Redwinestillfine · 05/07/2021 23:34

Did you get fined @Ilovenandos?

Original poster
DIYandEatCake · 05/07/2021 23:37

@Husbandno5 I am grappling with my conscience as I have some of those thoughts - I’ve never taken them out of school before and it’s not something I’d normally even think about doing. It is a leisure holiday (our first since last summer, and one that the kids are massively looking forward to because of spending time with their grandparents - who are vaccinated but I’d still feel happier if the kids weren’t coming straight from school). You’re right, with hindsight the timing’s rubbish but 6 months ago we really didn’t see this coming.

OP posts:
rantymcrantface66 · 05/07/2021 23:37

I work in a school in Scotland and lots of people did this. As school staff none of us blamed them . In fact more than one colleague even kept their own dc off and were extra careful themselves with masks and distancing. Do what you feel is best

Plumedenom · 05/07/2021 23:47

I did this with DD just before we flew to the UK. I couldn't take it if they had put us in quarantine just before our precious trip back to my parents. No regrets. Special circumstances.

beentoldcomputersaysno · 06/07/2021 02:11

I'd do it.

SuperCaliFragalistic · 06/07/2021 05:13

@QueenofLouisiana

Funny- in March, this site was full of parents saying how much the children needed to be in school, how much was being missed every single day by being at home.

Now it’s holiday season, apparently it’s fine that the kids isolate at home, they don’t need to socialise or learn at school. No problems.

Anyhow, I think I’ll isolate for two weeks in August so I can definitely go on a cheap holiday in September. I can’t do it earlier due to GCSE results, sports competitions and DS going away with mates. I’m sure the 30 families who have kids in my class will understand.

Agreed. All the people whining about how much they "need a break" were the same people whining about kids "missing out on their education" 6 months ago. It's almost like the pandemic wasn't designed for your convience isn't it? Teachers work really hard to keep the class motivated right up to the end of term but you're happy to undermine this.
Waxonwaxoff0 · 06/07/2021 05:45

Aren't bubbles being scrapped on the 19th?

EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 06/07/2021 05:46

Mine finish school next Tuesday so will miss the last 7 days. Their dad's flying over from Ireland to pick them up. I spoke to the head teacher and he just said don't worry, just fill in a holiday form

wonderpants · 06/07/2021 05:52

I love the expectation that I will be teaching colouring in. Sadly we have Ofsted looming and they will want evidence of how we are filling all those gaps. My children will be working until the last day. They've missed too much school over the last 2 academic years.

Covidatemyhomework · 06/07/2021 05:59

I’d take DD out in a heartbeat if I had a holiday booked in the first 2 weeks of the summer hols. I expected that a lot of parents would do the same.

I’ve booked DD into a holiday club the week before our holiday in Aug. Given the infection rates at the moment, I am very tempted to cancel the club.

July2mebabywouldJuly2me · 06/07/2021 06:03

I would be honest - I don’t want to put my kids in a position where they might have to lie, and would want them to be able to say a proper goodbye and thank you to their teachers if possible

Let them make a card!

Give over with the hand wringing OP, you're taking them out of school not sending them to the shopping centre to pick pockets Grin

boomwhacker · 06/07/2021 07:15

I think you might be surprised if you imagine schools won't be doing anything in the last week. I think most schools will be making the most of the face to face time in school, considering the last 18 months. I know of many schools who aren't doing an early finish on the last day for example for exactly that reason. I totally agree with the PP who commented about the change of mood from "my child must be in the classroom and stuff the safety of them/their teachers" to "my child must go on holiday".

FuzzyPenguin · 06/07/2021 07:27

Quite a few parents in our class are taking the kids out, they have been honest why and the teachers are going to activate the google class room work.

WildfirePonie · 06/07/2021 07:29

Go for it. You need to isolate that week ;-)

Abraxan · 06/07/2021 07:32

You won't be the only one doing it, I'm sure.
I teach so can't but can totally understand why many would do it.
They'll not be doing anything you couldn't help them catch up from.
Plus they'd have no idea they you weren't having to isolate or something anyway tbh.

rantymcrantface66 · 06/07/2021 07:44

At the I work in we had absolutely loads of burst bubbles in the last week with dc and staff isolating in to the holidays. Even worse though I think, is DC's school where they were waved off on the Friday with a sigh of relief and an impressive record locally of a full covid free term - 5pm on the Friday of breaking up the first 4 bubbles were contacted to isolate for the full 10 days. Sunday another 2 bubbles. Many now wishing they'd kept their dc home and some very frustrated staff one of whom had her dress fitting for wedding as she lives away from her hone town and hadn't been able to travel down it was quite a late fitting.

ButteringMyArse · 06/07/2021 08:02

@QueenofLouisiana

Funny- in March, this site was full of parents saying how much the children needed to be in school, how much was being missed every single day by being at home.

Now it’s holiday season, apparently it’s fine that the kids isolate at home, they don’t need to socialise or learn at school. No problems.

Anyhow, I think I’ll isolate for two weeks in August so I can definitely go on a cheap holiday in September. I can’t do it earlier due to GCSE results, sports competitions and DS going away with mates. I’m sure the 30 families who have kids in my class will understand.

Absolutely, after all the kids in your class are getting paid a salary just like you are so it's exactly the same thing.
Rosieposy89 · 06/07/2021 08:07

Do it. Our PM advised us to use common sense and personal judgement after all...

usernameXYZ · 06/07/2021 08:24

I go away next week and have tons of appointments for the kids that we cannot miss and it's also DS birthday this week to so Iv kept mine off for the past 3 weeks to fully isolate and be safe as our school has 1 class open (half a year group mind) and cases just keep popping up non stop on the Facebook page so I did the right thing !!!!! Everyone said they wish they did it as a huge number of kids have tested positive. The school should of shut after the first 4 classes went down IMO

HotChocolateLover · 06/07/2021 08:28

So you’re not actually going to home school them but go on holiday? No point fibbing. Just be honest and go on the holiday.

rantymcrantface66 · 06/07/2021 08:34

@HotChocolateLover

So you’re not actually going to home school them but go on holiday? No point fibbing. Just be honest and go on the holiday.
Her holiday begins after the end of term so id be surprised if she was still home schooling them then.
Talith · 06/07/2021 08:42

Do it OP. In my opinion the government has lost the argument that perfect attendance is imperative, having neglected schools in the pandemic and sending the children home for months without any real strategy or support. Enjoy your holiday.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 06/07/2021 08:42

@purpleraine

I’d send them in and if they’re told to isolate I wouldn’t do it. They won’t know you’ve gone on holiday and of all the times my dc have isolated no one else has had a positive test anyway

Seriously-you’d do that? FFS