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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take dc out of school for a day to go to legoland?

43 replies

Ntsure · 09/06/2022 10:26

dc really wants to go to legoland but it gets so so busy on weekends and school holidays.
eldest is autistic and wouldn’t cope with it when it’s busy and wouldn’t have a good time at all.
we used to go in term time before he started school and it’s much quieter and easier to manage.
he doesn’t really spend much of his school time actually in the classroom anyway so he won’t be missing out on much learning because he doesn’t really do any school work at school
Would I be unreasonable? It’s not exactly educational but I don’t think he’d be able to go otherwise

OP posts:
NeededAction · 09/06/2022 10:30

Poor thing having that awful 24 hour bug! 😉. Even without your explanation, I’d say do ittttt!! It’s one day in the grand scheme of things

TinaYouFatLard · 09/06/2022 10:30

Absolutely do it! Don’t listen to any of the spoilsports on here who will tell you not to. We have taken the kids out occasionally for similar trips and never regretted it. The memories are precious. If your eldest can cope with change in routine I would surprise them one morning with a bunking off to have fun day!

GrandRapids · 09/06/2022 10:30

If you want to visit legoland then yes, doing it in term time is the only way you will have a nice day and enjoy it. I've been in the holidays a couple of times. Never again.

britespark1 · 09/06/2022 10:32

Absolutely do it. My middle DS is autistic and we are off to Alton Towers in a couple of weeks on a school day as he just couldn’t cope on a busy day.

Boredof2020 · 09/06/2022 10:32

If you go to their website and look at their disability guide. You will probably be entitled to a ride access pass.

ChewOnAPickle · 09/06/2022 10:33

Absolutely do it. Entirely up to you whether you want to call him in sick of be honest and tell them he won't be in. Yes it will be unauthorised but nothing should happen with that. Where I am the fines kick in after 5 consecutive days, so you can do 4 1/2 but not 5.

mycatisannoying · 09/06/2022 10:35

For sure, do it. Have fun!

fairgame84 · 09/06/2022 10:36

Do it and make sure you get a ride access pass.
My autistic DS has been in special school since 2014 and they've always let me take him out in term time because of crowds, it's the only way he coped.

dizzydizzydizzy · 09/06/2022 10:41

I assume we are talking about very young children here. I would do it. It would mean a lot.

10HailMarys · 09/06/2022 10:41

I'd definitely take him out of school for a day! It won't do him any harm to miss one day and you'll have a lovely time.

Alittlenonsensenowandthen · 09/06/2022 10:42

We did it and it was absolutely worth it.

Velvian · 09/06/2022 10:43

The only way to go to Legoland IMO.

Daffodilsdance · 09/06/2022 10:46

I have done it . Yes , do it . It is days like these which matter and make memories .

Kerrangutan · 09/06/2022 10:56

I didn't even have to read your post to say YANBU. Do it.

After the last two years I can't see how anyone still believes missing a day of school is something that needs much consideration. Mine barely went a week without one of them being sent home or kept home (because I knew they'd be sent home over a snotty nose and saved myself the hassle). If there was any real effort to catch them up I might believe differently but neither the gov or council or school seem that arsed about it, so if I wanted to take my kid to legoland for some fun I wouldn't think twice about it. I'm the one who's responsible for making sure they don't fall behind anyway.

bumblefeline · 09/06/2022 11:00

Do it, I wished I taken my kids out of school more for holidays and days out. Life really is too short.

LuckyAmy1986 · 09/06/2022 11:02

Why wouldn't you? have a great time!

ilovesooty · 09/06/2022 11:04

Just be honest and tell the school you're taking him out and why. Don't lie and claim he's sick.

Elpheba · 09/06/2022 11:06

100% do it. I have and will again. Agree don’t lie, just email and say they won’t be in as you’re going on a family trip to legoland and you realise the absence will be unauthorised. No fines for just a day anyway and it is so much better on a term time day. Agree re ride access pass- we went using this a few months ago and it was AMAZING and very easy to set up.

HelloSpringIveMissedYou · 09/06/2022 11:23

It's one day!

Do it and have a fabulous day x

karmakameleon · 09/06/2022 11:30

he doesn’t really spend much of his school time actually in the classroom anyway so he won’t be missing out on much learning because he doesn’t really do any school work at school

Regardless of what you decide, this needs to be dealt with. He needs the right support in place so that he can get the most out of school.

Ihatethenewlook · 09/06/2022 11:36

Ive taken my kids out for things like this before. I don’t usually admit it on mn because the abuse you used to get for it on here was unreal 🙄 the only things I consider is what is their attendance like currently, and is there anything important on that day that they might be missing. Im considering pulling my yr9 out for the day in a few weeks to watch her siblings sports day. Her attendance is over 98%, she’s gone through weeks of exams, and she’s not long lost a good friend of hers in a car accident, so I don’t really give a shiny shite about what other people think about her having a day off to watch her baby brother winning all the races :)

foxy86 · 09/06/2022 11:38

If it makes you feel better, I’ve taken my child out of school to come to Spain and will do it next year. Life is too short. It’s family time at the end of the day which is also important. 100% attendance at school might get them a pen and notebook which isn’t much of a prize and some get nothing. Like others say if he is autistic look at getting a pass too. Just enjoy it.
I remember reading something about a kid missing out on a family ski trip during school time as he wanted to stay at school, he never missed a day for 5 year and got a pen for it! This was high school btw.

Mulhollandmagoo · 09/06/2022 11:41

Definitely do it! Just email them and tell them why, a day at legoland with his family will be much more beneficial than one day at school. We need to move away from this narrative that school is the best place for all children - for some it is, and they thrive, for others it isn't and they need experiences like this to balance it out.

Original poster
Ntsure · 09/06/2022 11:46

karmakameleon · 09/06/2022 11:30

he doesn’t really spend much of his school time actually in the classroom anyway so he won’t be missing out on much learning because he doesn’t really do any school work at school

Regardless of what you decide, this needs to be dealt with. He needs the right support in place so that he can get the most out of school.

Oh I know. School seem to be happy for him to do whatever so long as it’s not annoying for them, I’m not happy about it at all

OP posts:
xogossipgirlxo · 09/06/2022 11:46

Do it. It's not like his education will suffer because he missed a day of school.