Thoughts on taking your DC out of school to enjoy the sunshine?

[Dorsetdelight211]

DD is 14, year 9. She's just had a message off her best friend to say she won't be in school today as her mum is taking her and her younger sister to the beach for the day. Que DD saying how cool the mum is and how unfair it is that I never let her miss school for fun stuff. I've got to work and even if I didn't I still wouldn't let her do it.

YABU-its a beautiful day, one day off school won't make a difference
YANBU-school is important and you can't skive off just because the weathers nice.

They definitely aren’t unreasonable to take they’re kids out if they’re doing well in school and don’t do it often. Time’s so precious to me now, after being locked in for so long I take every opportunity to enjoy my children and life.

If the sicky day is the start of a new topic ie maths, the children missing will be behind on key work when they should have been in school.

Last time was after I had covid. Was fine after a few days but dragged that out by another couple of days to relax and re regulate.

Caught? Who's going to Catch you? There's not warden knocking at your door
I like to save that.

Imthedamnfoolwhoshothim Caught? Who's going to Catch you? There's not warden knocking at your door when you go to whatever the activity is that you've skived off for, aren't you worried you'll be seen by someone from your work?

No, I work remotely. And even then the odds are low. It wouldn't worry me at all.

Has anyone here told school the real reason why their child was off?

Imthedamnfoolwhoshothim I work in the community so there's no way I'd get away with it although I dont think taking 2 extra days to fully get over covid could be classed as skiving, certainly not in the same category as going to the beach because its a hot day! I had 4 weeks off when I had covid.

So far I have. Mine are in primary so would say anyway.

I'm self-employed, I can pick and choose my hours and take time off for whatever reason I fancy 😊

Well I have called in sick when fine but that was the last time. And it wasn't 2. It was 5ish. I was well over it. Wanted to tidy up, relax and enjoy some peace.

I have done the aforementioned as well. Not for the beach specifically but similar.
I don't think on my death bed I will regret the times I did not go into work

coffeecupsandfairylights that's a nice perk of self employment however, I like the security of sickness pay, maternity pay, good pension, paid annual leave, bonuses for weekend and Bank Holiday pay. I just book annual leave if I want time off.

I wouldn't go back to employment for anything.

I set my own rates that more than cover my annual leave, any sick days and pension contributions. I work 25-30 hours a week and earn more than I did working 40 hours in my previous job. As I set my own pay, I also make sure I charge extra for weekends and bank holidays.

The rigidity of employment was horrendous for my MH, too.

@xsquared yes me. The school staff weren't up in arms like posters on here.. I told the school the truth. They said they understand but school policy is an automatically declice holiday request and I will sign a form upon return... I'm expecting a fine the school informed me. We had a civil conversation the day we flew and the school admitted they understood my reasons.

My neighbours school (different) got approved their kids holiday and we live in the same city... so it's definitely purely down to each schools policy.

Yes, when I used to work in a secondary school, we sometimes had parents take their children out for a week and they would give us plenty of notice. I just don't see much point in lying about it as some posters have said here. Just accept the consequences.

I remember my parents taking me out of school a few days early to go skiing one year. It was a private school so no LA fines or anything to consider.

They did the "right thing" and wrote to the head for permission first - he wrote a lovely letter back telling us to have a wonderful time and to enjoy the money we saved by flying a few days early, lol.

coffeecupsandfairylights that sounds perfect! The best of both worlds!

Also those going on about it setting a precedence.

Do your kids expect it to be Christmas every day?

Imthedamnfoolwhoshothim

Do your kids expect it to be Christmas every day that's brilliant! Yes, yes they do 😄

Have you just been released from prison or something?

I've got to go now, family time and all that!

Thanks for all the replies, always nice to have some that agree, some that don't but give thoughtful explanations as to why and some that have been absolutely hilarious. Just got to break it to my daughters that it's not Christmas again tomorrow 😄

Porcupineintherough covid lockdown I think they meant. Interesting because covid made me realise how precious our education system is and not to waste it, not when beach days can be enjoyed during the 13 weeks holiday or weekends or (for us locally) after school.

Anyway, thanks again everyone, its been Interesting.

@xsquared ohhh I can see why people lie firstly it's frowned upon and peoples reactions are OTT.

Work ethic has nothing to do with taking your kid out of school. My work ethic is fabulous and I'm quite organised I simply don't want to pay extortionate prices for a holiday.

It doesn't mean those parents are doing their kids homework with their child just because there child didn't go to Spain for 1/2 weeks

After covid I'm surprised people don't realise life's too short. Fair enough if you want to stick to the rules but FFS what gives anyone the right chatize others? Bloody cheek!

Sour 🍇

Day release Dear!

I think it's fine to do this occasionally. But I have a job, and boss, where I can say "mind if I have the afternoon off to go to the beach" or "I'll be in late, I'm taking the kids sledging" and so does DH.

@IfIhearmumagaintoday I doubt anyone here cares about what others think though. I'm asking why lie to school about it? In my experience, the parents usually let us know if they have a holiday planned ahead in advance. School usually says okay.

There was a lad whose parents took him out for the day because it was his birthday. The tutor wasn't impressed, but ultimately nothing was done about it other than him having an unauthorised mark.