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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:
KarmaStar · 06/07/2021 08:43

Do it,it's just a few days.everyone has had a hard time,have a great holiday too!💐

Getawaywithit · 06/07/2021 09:03

I’d have thought the more parents who do this the better from your point of view? Fewer children = lower likelihood of being told to isolate?But if you want them all there then fair play to you!

Why should the rules be changed because people want holidays? People have been screaming for months about children's mental health, how they need to be with friends etc. etc. Now it doesn't matter?

Wakeupin2022 · 06/07/2021 09:14

Why should the rules be changed because people want holidays? People have been screaming for months about children's mental health, how they need to be with friends etc. etc. Now it doesn't matter?

Erm yes. It's my kids mental health that is making me consider it...........

I don't have a 6 week holiday in the summer. I have worked throughout the pandemic and my children have had to spend a large amount of time in screens. Dh works shifts and we mostly don't have any family time at the weekend.

So tell me again about my kids mental health when it's been thrown under the bus since March 2020.

rantymcrantface66 · 06/07/2021 09:15

Why should the rules be changed because people want holidays? People have been screaming for months about children's mental health, how they need to be with friends etc. etc. Now it doesn't matter?

You don't think after all the restrictions we've already had, have the excitement of a long awaited holiday with much fun to be had only to have to isolate and not leave the house instead would be upsetting or damaging to a child's mental health? I think it matters a lot and that's why this is being considered

Youdiditanyway · 06/07/2021 09:17

Yup, I would do the same thing.

HidingFromTheChildren · 06/07/2021 09:18

I'm taking mine out of school for a week to go on holiday. Not too worried about covid nowadays tbh so that's not a factor.

Newmumatlast · 06/07/2021 09:22

Yanbu just prepare to pay the fine

ForeverSausages · 06/07/2021 09:28

I don't think people realise how much self isolation affects a child. My 6 year old is on his second (pretty much back to back) self isolation in a row. He's not in school. And he also can't leave the house. OP, a lot of parents are doing this as they have things planned for the first week of the summer holidays and they don't want to risk another 10 day self isolation. If I'm honest, I will be sending him in later this week (begrudgingly), but I'm fully expecting a phone call within 2 days to say his bubble has burst again. I completely understand why you're considering not sending them in.

Twoforthree · 06/07/2021 09:30

Yep, the whole of mumsnet baying for school to open, no matter the cost to the school staff or the problem of kids carrying it home to their families - but as soon as it inconveniences them…

nocturnalcatfreetogoodhome · 06/07/2021 09:31

Take him out OP, it’s not even a question!

Enjoy your holiday.

saraclara · 06/07/2021 09:37

@Twoforthree

Yep, the whole of mumsnet baying for school to open, no matter the cost to the school staff or the problem of kids carrying it home to their families - but as soon as it inconveniences them…
The school staff are likely to be very grateful to have fewer children around in the last week of term to cause THEM to have to isolate and miss THEIR family holiday.
Wakeupin2022 · 06/07/2021 09:41

@Twoforthree

Yep, the whole of mumsnet baying for school to open, no matter the cost to the school staff or the problem of kids carrying it home to their families - but as soon as it inconveniences them…
Yeah but my kids did all that. They were at home for large parts of the last 2 school years. They stayed at home, even when colleagues sent their kids to school, because it was the right thing to do.

To keep school staff Safe.

Children have had repeated bubbles popping to keep school staff and those at home safe.

What has been done to make things more bearable for the kids?

You are bitter because I 'may' take my children out for a couple of days, so they can see family that they have not seen for a very long time and just have some sort of normality?

We had a young child in tears when we cancelled a trip home at Christmas - before BJ's last minute advice - because it was the right thing to do.

My children have missed so much by us doing the right thing! So no, I will not make them suffer anymore.

ohthatbloodycat · 06/07/2021 09:42

I'd do it!

Paddingtonitspaddingtonbear · 06/07/2021 09:52

We will be doing it. Kids go to school for 1day and a half in the last week and we've decided to keep them home as we go away on the Friday.

Also I don't think we've done a "stupid" thing by booking a holiday this side of the Summer Holidays. It is what it is.

MrsWhites · 06/07/2021 12:08

We are in a similar situation, my child is isolating for the second time in 3 weeks and is due back to school for 2.5 days before end of term. We will not be sending them back to school to risk having to isolate again.

I don’t blame you for keeping your children off!

MissChanandlerBong90 · 06/07/2021 12:16

Why should the rules be changed because people want holidays? People have been screaming for months about children's mental health, how they need to be with friends etc. etc. Now it doesn't matter?

I’m not saying it doesn’t matter, but I’m not sure missing the last 5 days of term before a family holiday (something which many people haven’t been able to do for a long time) is the same as missing months of school while being locked in your home?

You’re entitled to your feelings but like I said I don’t really understand why a teacher would get bitter about it. The fewer children in school the less likely you are to be told to isolate during your own summer holiday. But if you want them all to be there then good for you.

Horst · 06/07/2021 12:57

I’m contemplating the last 2 days that would give us 2 weeks clear. A d&V episode running though the house or something.

Getawaywithit · 06/07/2021 14:27

You don't think after all the restrictions we've already had, have the excitement of a long awaited holiday with much fun to be had only to have to isolate and not leave the house instead would be upsetting or damaging to a child's mental health? I think it matters a lot and that's why this is being considered

As I said, this site has been baying for teacher's blood for the last 16 months. Schools should be open. Children's schooling and mental health are the only thing that matters here. Now children need holidays to secure their mental health?

Nothing but a piss take. Your children have apparently missed months of Very Important Education so why aren't they still in school when the school is open?

rantymcrantface66 · 06/07/2021 14:42

@Getawaywithit

You don't think after all the restrictions we've already had, have the excitement of a long awaited holiday with much fun to be had only to have to isolate and not leave the house instead would be upsetting or damaging to a child's mental health? I think it matters a lot and that's why this is being considered

As I said, this site has been baying for teacher's blood for the last 16 months. Schools should be open. Children's schooling and mental health are the only thing that matters here. Now children need holidays to secure their mental health?

Nothing but a piss take. Your children have apparently missed months of Very Important Education so why aren't they still in school when the school is open?

'This site' is made up of thousands of people. The ones 'baying for blood' may not be the same ones answering on this thread. Of course children needed to get back to school, every single one of the teaching staff at the school I work in was glad to get the dc back in face to face but at the same time missing a few days right at the end to facilitate some equally important family time is understandable. It's not like families have been out enjoying themselves all that time. They've been schooling in often stressful, pressured and difficult circumstances. Yes dc need school and friends and thankfully they've had that but they also need quality family time which they've pretty much missed out on - it's ok to find a balance for your own family. Not everyone can afford to lose the holiday financially either. We expected lots of parents to do this at the end of term and a good many did. It was fine, we understood. Even some school staff kept their dc home. You sound quite hysterical. Tbh it's nothing personal to you that parents don't want to risk isolation so try not to take it so.
sempiternal · 06/07/2021 16:22

I'd do it.

We don't go on holiday often, have only been abroad once. If there was a risk our holiday would be cancelled due to having to isolate, I'd have to make sure that didn't happen. Not just because we want to go on holiday but because we couldn't afford to just lose money like that (unless there are insurances that cover full refunds when it's covid related? I'm not sure.)

Iceisnice · 06/07/2021 17:01

I wouldn't hesitate. We have followed the 'Rules' throughout.

Dc bubble burst a month ago, 10 days isolation: teaching assistant who had tested positive was seen walking past our house (and others) during isolation period. 1 kid went on holiday ( had been prebooked) pictures put on class whats app group and got everyone sweets from holiday. Other kids on class zoom telling their friends what they had been up to.... tea parties, small birthday parties with their friends and some other kids had been fishing and visited places.

My dc and other people's dcs were getting upset that they had stayed in when their friends have had 10 days of outdoor fun. If we did have a holiday booked there would be no way I would jeopardise it.

Spiderysummer · 06/07/2021 17:04

Interesting that so many people think that the schools won't do anything in the last week. Every school I have worked in, in the last 10 years, only eases up the work on the last day. I agree it was a different matter 20-30 years ago. This year in particular, we will be working hard on phonics and maths up until lunch on the last day as the children have missed so much.
However, I do get why you would want to ensure you get away on holiday. One of my colleagues has missed every half term break due to isolating and so her class have had to stay indoors as well. If you feel your children will cope academically, then I would understand why you may do this but please don't assume the teachers won't be teaching up until the last day.

Iceisnice · 06/07/2021 17:04

Forgot to add: the TA took the week off afterwards to 'recover' from covid despite being perfectly well enough to be out during the isolation period. This resulted in the class being told they couldn't change their reading books and a ta from another year group being drafted in - effectively putting paid to the notion of year bubbles....

rantymcrantface66 · 06/07/2021 17:11

@Iceisnice

Forgot to add: the TA took the week off afterwards to 'recover' from covid despite being perfectly well enough to be out during the isolation period. This resulted in the class being told they couldn't change their reading books and a ta from another year group being drafted in - effectively putting paid to the notion of year bubbles....
You have no idea why that TA was out. Could have been on her way to a test centre. If she needed time off after that's not your business either. Could have been for mental rather than physical health reasons. Staff can work within 2 bubbles each day. I did every single day sometimes having to cross a 3rd or more if it was a child welfare need which overrode the covid risk.
ravelston · 06/07/2021 17:16

Absolutely not unreasonable