Taking DS out of school family holiday WWYD?

[Sleepregressionqueen]

Just about to book our family holiday unfortunately we have to go in September as otherwise it’s just to expensive. He has the same teacher and same people in his class so not much settling in really. He will be going into year1.

we either go at the start September 13th or the 27th. I said 27th to give him a bit of time
but OH says it’s probably best we go at the start as they probably won’t be learning many new things then.

WWYD?

[WaltzingWaters]

Take him out. A family holiday and all he’ll experience on a trip will be far more beneficial and memorable. I think the later date would be better.

[flowerstar19]

I would go for the later date too! Some people are very anti term-time holidays! We haven't done one yet, but I would. I genuinely think children learn so much from a foreign holiday and make memories that will stay with them. Also since Covid my two have missed loads of school after positive tests or isolating when it's been in the household! I would go for it and enjoy!

[Jules912]

I would've gone in the last half of the summer term when they're mostly doing revision but assuming you don't want to wait until then it probably makes little difference between those two weeks.

[Yika]

I’d go for the later date - 27th - less disruptive.

[PoundPill]

I took my DS out of school for 2 weeks in Yr 1 in June and we all had a fantastic time - it was full of DC his age - go somewhere with a kids club so you all have fun and rest too

[Youcancallmeirrelevant]

@Denny53

So if you’re going to take him out of school anyway, why ask peoples opinions? Just to get a rise?

OP is asking opinions on dates, not the decision to take child out of school

[PoundPill]

Just go it'll be fine

[Youcancallmeirrelevant]

I would go later september as it'll probably end up being the middle of term brfore october half term, so enough yime to get into school, 1 week out, then plenty of time back beforw half term

[User6784097]

I would personally go for December for a term time holiday as it’s mostly Christmas parties and not much learning and the kids are pretty exhauseted by then. Or even the week before the October half term.
out of your two dates I would just pick the one which was cheaper

[HaveringWavering]

@dottiedodah

You also run the risk of being fined surely?

She's already priced that in.

[9007kkb]

I've looked around for October half term and you can get cheap ish flights and accommodation - city breaks are not that expensive e.g. Barcelona.

[HaveringWavering]

@Sleepregressionqueen

@HaveringWavering we’re both self employed.

You're very lucky then that your business (es) can flex enough to allow for childcare throughout the school holidays AND extra time off during term time. Though maybe if you took less time off you'd be able to afford a more expensive holiday!

[Denny53]

@Sleepregressionqueen

I know we don’t have to go on holiday, however as I said we’ve not been away since 2019 because of covid. We are looking forward to a break! I never went abroad as a kid and it was depressing.So I will continue to take mine abroad thank you very much even if it means they miss 5 days of school. Yes I would love to take them in school holidays but I’m not paying 4K for a 2K holiday sorry.

DS attendance was 100% last year he is way ahead than the other kids his report was fantastic. So I am really not concerned about him missing 5 days.

So if you’re going to take him out of school anyway, why ask peoples opinions? Just to get a rise?

[RuthW]

I wouldn't. Things change so much in year 1 and he will miss a lot. Better to do it at the very end of the year if you must.

[Embarras83]

Year 1 is very busy in September - it’s a big difference from Reception. What about the week before half term? Then he’s mostly settled in?

[Tink1989]

I would take the later date.
whos to say that if you don't go on holiday that one of those weeks they could be ill and be off anyway
I really wouldn't worry about it

[dottiedodah]

You also run the risk of being fined surely?

[ClocksGoingBackwards]

There isn’t a date in September that won’t be disruptive. It’s a full on, busy time of year where, especially in Y1, new skills are being learned every day. I work in year 1 and genuinely couldn’t tell you that earlier would be worse to miss than later or vice versa because it will depend on the child and what they need most. If you want ‘better’ wait until after the phonics screening in June.

Youre trying to make yourself feel better about a decision that isn’t in your sons best interests by finding the least worst option. Just own it and accept that neither of them are good options.

[RosieLemonadeAndSugar]

27th. Let him have a few weeks to settle into year 1, like previous posters have said gives him time to settle with new class, new teacher etc.

27th would be fine. Go for it.

[titchy]

I'd be looking for a cheaper holiday - there is reason you can't find a decent £2k week abroad in August for 2 adults and a 5yo.

[ilovesooty]

@PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister

If you’re determined to go I would aim for October / November. Any date but September basically.

I agree. I wouldn't take a child out in September.

[Imthedamnfoolwhoshothim]

@I8toys

I wouldn't do it. Sets a bad precedent to your children that school just doesn't matter and is an inconvenience. If you can't afford it go next year and save for the school holidays.

Like work school is a part of life that is unavoidable. However living is still very much a priority.

[Imthedamnfoolwhoshothim]

@Sleepregressionqueen

@Imthedamnfoolwhoshothim absolutely nothing!

I came here to ask which day would be better and I’ve got a lecture instead 😩

There's your answer then.
He won't remember that he missed a week and honestly provably won't really notice when he gets to school.

Crack on and enjoy. I'd go with whichever day suited you. Which is cheaper, has better arrival and departure times, better predicted weather etc I don't think his school should factor into it.

[SuperPets]

Sets a bad precedent to your children that school just doesn't matter and is an inconvenience

It honestly doesn't. My children never thought something so silly and are high acheivers in their educations. It merely teaches them there is a balance to everything and not to think as concretely as some here seem to.

[I8toys]

I wouldn't do it. Sets a bad precedent to your children that school just doesn't matter and is an inconvenience. If you can't afford it go next year and save for the school holidays.