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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Titsywoo · 27/04/2022 21:58

I'd also lie and say he is ill - sod paying the stupid fine. I paid it for both my kids years ago and wish I had lied.

BlimBosh · 27/04/2022 22:02

I get that 'times have changed' but my DC used to have 2 weeks off school every year (before the summer holidays) to visit family in the USA.

I won't even try and make excuses for his.

Lasttraintolondon · 27/04/2022 22:05

Parents do this because it makes a massive financial difference and loads of people have no money. Life is already thoroughly unaffordable now.

Know who bought in school fines for kids with great attendence but who go on holidays with their parents? A bunch of ministers who all went to private school.

Know where the fines don't apply? Private school. How can this possibly be fair? I'd love one of the pro-fine people above to explain this.

PurpleFlower1983 · 27/04/2022 22:07

Do it! I’m a year one teacher.

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 27/04/2022 22:08

I'm a teacher. I would do it if I could at his age. It's a joke how much it is in school holiday

HermioneWeasley · 27/04/2022 22:09

You’re his mum, do what you think is best. But it’s not accurate to say he’s never had a day off school when you immediately go on to say he’s had at least 5 which averages at one per term.

bridestuff · 27/04/2022 22:09

Do it!

Go & Create lovely memories with your child 😃
I would take them out 😂 my parents always used to and we never fell behind academically

Greensleeves · 27/04/2022 22:11

Definitely take him out (I'm an early years teacher). Spending good, relaxed time with family and having positive experiences outside school is hugely important - every bit as important as formal education.

Kapalika · 27/04/2022 22:11

Oh absolutely do it. Once they’re in secondary or even yr 3 and above, it’s just not realistic.

star8 · 27/04/2022 22:16

My ds is same age and I will be doing a week out in June
Cannot afford it otherwise. Either go in school time or never go at all. I was nervous too and will accpet the fine whoch still makes it cheaper for us

TolkiensFallow · 27/04/2022 22:16

Do it. It’s fine. Just tell the school. They’ll either find you or they won’t.

I missed LOADS of school due to being a sickly kid but because I was bright enough I can’t honestly say that it’s made no difference. A holiday will be an enriching experience.

curlytoday · 27/04/2022 22:17

I thought they waved the fines this year? unless that's just our local council.

mast0650 · 27/04/2022 22:22

He's year 1. Just do it. No harm at all. Family holidays are important. Just don't expect it to be authorized and don't lie about it either. Our kids were in primary school before the rules about absences changed and we took them on holiday for a week during school time 3-4 times. Their attendance was otherwise excellent and they've both done very well! I actually think that the fairly common attitude of taking an odd day off here and there because they are a bit tired etc. is more destructive to attitudes to school etc than a trip planned for a specific purpose sell in advance.

Chickychoccyegg · 27/04/2022 22:23

Absolutely take him on holiday, it's fine, it's insane the prices during school holidays.
I'm in Scotland, and I don't know if we fine here or not, but they don't at my dc's school, loads of people go on holiday here, outwith the school holidays.

Moonface123 · 27/04/2022 22:24

He's your child, not the schools, so take him, it will do you both the world of good.
As for all this missing out, absolute rubbish.
I know lots of children who have had very long absences from school, due to bereavement, mental health etc and they still managed to keep up and pass all of their exams. Children are also capable of learning outside the confines of the classroom walls.

hellcatspanglelalala · 27/04/2022 22:25

Threetulips · 27/04/2022 21:38

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

Where is just as warm? OP hasn't said where she's going unless I've missed something.

GrandTheftWalrus · 27/04/2022 22:25

I'm taking dd out of school for 12 days in September to go abroad. She'll only be in primary 2. So not like she's missing exams etc. Her wee classmate is away to Mexico shortly and so is the classmates cousin and school are fine about it.

I also don't think we get fined in Scotland.

GrandTheftWalrus · 27/04/2022 22:29

Chickychoccyegg · 27/04/2022 22:23

I don't think we do get fined. I'm Scotland as well.

justasking111 · 27/04/2022 22:29

The public schools finish earlier so there will be lots of other children there including canny parents who will be doing just this. So enjoy

FortniteBoysMum · 27/04/2022 22:32

My boys are year 7 and year 10. We are taking them out for the last 2 days for holiday. Youngest is leaving for a specialist school anyway and frankly they will be thankful because his hardly ever in class. Head master spends 2 hours some days chasing him round the school site. My eldest will miss 2 days work experience but has offered to volunteer at the place for a couple days in summer. Would have pulled them out for the full week if needed. Have done a couple times. So long as they have good attendance then go for it. Next year is a different story for us as ds1 will be doing exams so nothing until after they ate done with will be booked. After the past couple years we all deserve a break.

LoveAllCakes · 27/04/2022 22:33

I wonder why you have asked as reading your responses it seems you have decided to do it anyway.
Personally I never took my DC out for a family holiday and there weren’t fines when they were in school but I have no issues with anyone who does, you know your child. My reasons for doing it are 1. Snow/bad weather days - if every day was sooo important schools would make these days back up. 2. The weeks before the summer holidays and Christmas, they do faff all in primary schools except play games and watch films.
Go for it and enjoy your holiday but tell the truth and if there’s a fine, so be it.

helloitsnotmeanymore · 27/04/2022 22:38

This reply has been deleted

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

What ?

Yes do it OP, I'm going to do and my Ds has had a lot of sickness with vivid twice, but that's life.

Weatherwax · 27/04/2022 22:40

Titsywoo · 27/04/2022 21:58

I'd also lie and say he is ill - sod paying the stupid fine. I paid it for both my kids years ago and wish I had lied.

Please don't lie. The children will always tell in you, and if the school has reason to believe you are on holiday they will unauthorise the absence and fine you anyway, and you are now a liar to boot. If you do it, tell them upfront. It's appreciated.

DockOTheBay · 27/04/2022 22:41

Do it.
My daughter had to miss a week of school because she had covid even though she was 100% well. Family holiday is a better reason to miss school than that IMO.

Ahgoonyegirlye · 27/04/2022 22:52

Do it. Kids in private schools are already out for weeks by then. It boils my piss that politicians set stupid rules for schools that they know will never affect their little Etonians…

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