Kids holidays and travel. Aibu?

[Keeva2017]

Context - separated from partner and childrens father 6 months ago. Hard but right thing.

I have a 6yr and 3 yr old. Something I always wanted to do as a parent was travel with my children.

i want to take 6 yr old to a European city this year as her birthday present. To afford it she would miss 2 days of school.

i want to make this a semi regular thing, basically a couple of trips for a few days at a time every year. (From next year I’d take both children). What’s the aibu crews view on missing school? Single parent working full time, without missing school I just can’t afford it. I value education but I also think these experiences are important and also have value.

Their dad is fine with it.
aibu?

For a 6 year old who is at least hitting average in school I'd go for it. If they are struggling then I guess the balance is harder.

I'd be careful though about how long you continue to plan these trips in term time as the older they get the more important being in school is. (Check out teachers days, and any slight differences in term dates for potentially cheaper options).

@LittleOwl153 Thanks - yes she’s doing fine academically. I was hoping that after a 2/3 years il be in a slightly different position financially. I don’t imagine I would take a year 6 + out of school.

Forgot to mention we do have breaks in school holidays. We just go camping so I don’t have to sell an organ to pay for it!

As long as it’s only a couple of days, I don’t see a problem. Especially age 6, it’s not like they are missing vital exam education. Just be honest with the teachers and explain your plans and ask if there is anything you can do at home (worksheets etc to make sure they are on track). Depending on your local authority though, you may get fined. Keep that in mind and have an open an honest conversation with the school and ask their opinion.

For a 6 year old with good attendance as a one off / once a year thing, I'd probably do it.

If their attendance isn't good and/or you'd be expecting teachers to provide catch up work and/or you plan on doing several a year throughout school then I'd say it's a bit unreasonable.

If she were 14/14/16 and coming up to exams or tests then no, but at 6 a few days here or there makes no odds. The trips will be remembered for a lifetime.

You sound like a great mum and like pp said, as long as there are no other concerns and have a good attendance rate I can’t see it being an issue.

@iminvestednow thats a lovely thing to say! Thank you.

YABU. You are giving her the wrong message and it'll cause problems even if she's doing fine academically.

Aside from that, it's very possible to take cheap weekend trips to Europe. I just took a Friday-Sunday weekend trip to a popular European capital city. Flights were £20 ish each way with cabin baggage only (so, a wheely case) on a budget airline and I stayed in this country's equivalent of premier inn.

You mention doing this twice a year too. Instead of going in school time twice, go on a weekend once.

I say enjoy your adventures! They won’t be missing much just a day or two out of school now and again.

@AnotherSpare Taken on board.

I just think there is such a small window of time to enjoy them as children and for them to have wonder and excitement.

Totally agree about flights, it’s the accommodation that’s a killer but maybe I’m not looking in the right places.

One of the reasons I asked was because their dad was so fine with it, he can be a touch irresponsible so that made me question my decision making!

We do have weekends away in the UK camping too so I do make use of that time.

Go for it. It won’t harm their education, you’re broadening their horizons, showing them the world, new cultures, different environments- it’s a positive experience for your kids socially, emotionally and educationally.

I'm just envious that you have a 6 year old who'd like a city break! 😂

Use INSET days.

Go for it. You are giving your kids an incredible experience. I don’t understand why schools in England make it so difficult to have a long weekend.

A day or two is fine! It sounds like you’re being very responsible.