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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take ds out of school for a holiday

93 replies

Lunarmoongown · 27/04/2022 21:14

Please be kind because this is just a thought! So I want to take ds on holiday this year, single parent with no help so money is tight. Ds is year 1 and has never missed a day off school, apart from a couple due to genuine illness (about 5 days off in 2 years) and is very capable academically (school was awarded NTP funds to give extra lessons to kids who may have fallen behind over the lockdown periods, I enquired whether ds could go as extra learning could only be a benefit but was told he doesn't need it as he is already 'up there'). I've looked at holidays and the price is literally double or more just to go a week later once summer hols start. Aibu to want to allow him to miss the last week of school in july for a holiday? The last week or two of school they don't really do anything anyway just loads of fun stuff/games, the same when I was a kid and ds would definitely prefer to be on holiday

I am aware that I may be fined by school but seems worth it to save quite a large chunk of money.

OP posts:
underneaththeash · 27/04/2022 21:16

Don’t do it then. They do loads of fun stuff the week before they end and he’ll miss out. You’re better off missing a few days after May half term.

Original poster
Lunarmoongown · 27/04/2022 21:19

underneaththeash · 27/04/2022 21:16

Don’t do it then. They do loads of fun stuff the week before they end and he’ll miss out. You’re better off missing a few days after May half term.

By fun stuff I mean watching movies, drawing, playing with toys etc. Basically no work and free play. I don't feel like this is 'unmissable'

OP posts:
SallyLovesCheese · 27/04/2022 21:20

First, it's not fun stuff/games for a whole week or two before the summer! Most kids thrive on routine so it's fairly unlikely you'd find a school that weren't maintaining a structure of lessons until the last day or two. (And the way the government set up education (assuming you're England), there's always more stuff we have to cram in, sadly. Either that, or Ofsted will turn up in the last week!)

Secondly, take him. He'll have a great time! If you're not bothered by a fine then do it. Learning isn't just for the classroom!

VioletHills · 27/04/2022 21:23

Do it! I'm taking my 3 out for a week in June before my oldest starts high school.

Giraffesandbottom · 27/04/2022 21:28

YABU

trilbydoll · 27/04/2022 21:28

The reason I don't take dc out of school is that's a week of my holiday used up and there's still 13w of school holidays to cover. 2 dc in a holiday club for a week adds up.

But other than that I don't think the end of term when you're only 6 is the end of the world.

RewildingAmbridge · 27/04/2022 21:31

Do it and don't bother trying to justify it by what they'll be doing at school, he's year one, he's doing well, his attendance rate is excellent. Take him enjoy it, let him learn a bit about the place you're going to. Don't think twice about it.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 27/04/2022 21:31

You’re going to do it anyway OP, yeh holidays are fucking extortionate in school holidays, everyone knows that when they have children it’s not a surprise.

Original poster
Lunarmoongown · 27/04/2022 21:32

Giraffesandbottom · 27/04/2022 21:28

YABU

Why? I'm not taking him out mid way through term and expecting teachers to play catch up once we are back?

OP posts:
clarasara · 27/04/2022 21:34

Do it! And I am a teacher!!

Original poster
Lunarmoongown · 27/04/2022 21:35

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 27/04/2022 21:31

You’re going to do it anyway OP, yeh holidays are fucking extortionate in school holidays, everyone knows that when they have children it’s not a surprise.

Not necessarily, post clearly says just a thought 🙄 yes I know that now as a parent which is why I'm trying to propose the least disruptive option whilst still giving him the opportunity to see and learn about different parts of the world and different cultures as I cannot afford in the summer holidays.

OP posts:
HappyGoDucky · 27/04/2022 21:36

Do it and enjoy it. I've done it in the past. Although I'd say 5 days off in that time isn't great attendance however I do understand it's genuine illness.

Threetulips · 27/04/2022 21:38

Then go in January! It’s cheaper and just as warm.

Ionlydomassiveones · 27/04/2022 21:39

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

Maray1967 · 27/04/2022 21:40

I took my DS2 out for three days when he was ten - last three days of the school year. We didn’t save money as such but we had planned a three week trip to the US and had to be back in time for oldest son’s A level results. Last 3 days equals films etc - no work at all.
i got the unauthorised absence letter with the usual comments but the head teacher had added I hope you all have a great time! Like you, I thought that missing the very end of the term was not an issue in terms of education and doesn’t disrupt teaching. Would I have done it the following year when he left primary? Probably not because he would missed the leaving party etc.
So I’d do it if I were you - but I would be open with the school and not claim he’s ill.
Another parent told me that she was questioned at Manchester airport one year by LEA officers approaching families flying out before term had finished.

Original poster
Lunarmoongown · 27/04/2022 21:41

HappyGoDucky · 27/04/2022 21:36

Do it and enjoy it. I've done it in the past. Although I'd say 5 days off in that time isn't great attendance however I do understand it's genuine illness.

You must not be around young children then, ds is 5. Every other week there's some bug going around, 5 days off over 2 academic years is actually quite good as they have been occasions where school has called to collect but thank you for your initially supportive comment

OP posts:
Testina · 27/04/2022 21:41

Had to laugh at the “never missed a day” with turns out to be 5 days in 5 terms. Which in my school, is more than average.
I mean, do it, don’t do it - but don’t say he’s never missed school if you have to follow that statement with “apart from” 🤣

Maydaysoonenough · 27/04/2022 21:45

I take mine out every October.. Their df competes in an annual event. The event has stayed the same date for 50 years. School can't seem to understand why it can't happen in school holidays!! All dc excell in school.. Life is also a great lesson!

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 27/04/2022 21:47

I would say to miss a week of school isn’t great. Despite what people think it’s not 6hrs a day of movies in the last week. Your child will miss part of their learning.

ConsuelaHammock · 27/04/2022 21:50

Go and enjoy yourself . He’s 5!
5 days off since he started school isn’t very much at all.

SpringSunshine09 · 27/04/2022 21:50

Do it! I'm a primary school teacher and completely understand when the parents/guardians do this - it's only an issue when there is lots of absence. He will get so much out of a holiday and school holiday prices are completely unreasonable. The last week of term is a great time to go to in my opinion.

5foot5 · 27/04/2022 21:51

I would say do it. At that age I really can't see it making any difference.

Original poster
Lunarmoongown · 27/04/2022 21:51

Testina · 27/04/2022 21:41

Had to laugh at the “never missed a day” with turns out to be 5 days in 5 terms. Which in my school, is more than average.
I mean, do it, don’t do it - but don’t say he’s never missed school if you have to follow that statement with “apart from” 🤣

Each time he has been sick I have been requested to pick him up by school due to fear of covid and testing needed which have all been negative (4 of them in reception at the height of pandemic, 1 so far this academic year). Next time will just leave him there sorry

OP posts:
Testina · 27/04/2022 21:54

Lunarmoongown · 27/04/2022 21:51

Each time he has been sick I have been requested to pick him up by school due to fear of covid and testing needed which have all been negative (4 of them in reception at the height of pandemic, 1 so far this academic year). Next time will just leave him there sorry

Show quote history

No need for petulant replies about leaving him there 🤣
I’m not saying he shouldn’t have been off… I’m saying it’s silly to write that he’s never missed a day off school when… he has!

Titsywoo · 27/04/2022 21:57

Do it! The only times I wouldn't is during GCSE/Alevel years - the rest of the time it makes no difference.