Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you allow your child out of school for a wedding?

78 replies

gjkufbb · 20/01/2023 21:42

My sister has just given us her wedding date which is on a Monday.
I'll of course be attending however my son will be in school.

Would you think it's unacceptable to keep him off school to attend? It's about an hour and a half away so I can't really nip out after the wedding to get him and bring him back.

I asked his dad (we are no longer together) and he said no, I'm being unreasonable.

YABU- kids shouldn't miss school for an aunties wedding

YANBU - he should attend

OP posts:
DidyouNO · 20/01/2023 22:20

My boys are missing school for their older sisters wedding. I didn't even give it a thought. Childrens mental growth is so much more than a school education.

BarmyBrunhilde · 20/01/2023 22:20

YANBU, he's 7 not studying for his A-levels (and it's only 1 day!)

DelurkingAJ · 20/01/2023 22:23

YANBU and I’m someone who has very rigid views on term time holidays. But close relation, age 7, one day is a no brainier, take him!

yousmellnice · 20/01/2023 22:29

gjkufbb · 20/01/2023 21:57

No he will be with me. He stays with his dad Thursday - Saturday.

Show quote history

Then his dad gets ZERO say

Thesonglastslonger · 20/01/2023 22:32

RewildingAmbridge · 20/01/2023 21:44

How old is he? 16/18 and the wedding is mid GCSE/A level season I wouldn't, anything else I probably would

This

But your sister is a bit of a dick for doing a weekday term time wedding 👀

Thesonglastslonger · 20/01/2023 22:33

yousmellnice · 20/01/2023 22:29

Then his dad gets ZERO say

Show quote history

And yet the dad is equally liable for the criminal fines handed out for unauthorised absences… So it’s not exactly ‘none of his business’

HauntedPencil · 20/01/2023 22:37

Of course I would. One day for his aunties wedding - the teacher would just say to enjoy himself.

PugInTheHouse · 20/01/2023 22:56

Thesonglastslonger · 20/01/2023 22:33

And yet the dad is equally liable for the criminal fines handed out for unauthorised absences… So it’s not exactly ‘none of his business’

Show quote history

You don't get fined for a day off so it doesn't really matter

PurplePattern · 20/01/2023 22:58

YANBU - he should attend

Of course he should go to his aunt's wedding, especially being only 7!

DangerNoodles · 20/01/2023 23:04

Would he actually want to go? Weddings can be quite tedious for children that age and school could be the perfect excuse to get him out of it. Let him come for the fun bit after school if he enjoys a dance.

Your sister can't be that bothered about his attendance if she has booked a term time Monday.

UsingChangeofName · 21/01/2023 00:09

YANBU I wouldn't give it a second thought for a close family member.

LoveBluey · 21/01/2023 00:15

Our infant school authorised 2 days leave to attend a term time family wedding - one for the wedding and one for travel (was 4 hours drive away)

sjpkgp1 · 21/01/2023 02:03

Definitely yes. Joyous and important family events are remembered for years by children and adults alike. Have a fab time !

Ponderingwindow · 21/01/2023 02:35

Unless the 7yo is really struggling with school, I would pull him for one day for close family.

Beeswood · 21/01/2023 02:45

YANBU definitely!

ememem84 · 21/01/2023 02:54

Yep. Take him out. I say this as someone who is currently in Australia on holiday with my two kids. We are here for Bil and sils wedding which is today!

my oldest is 5 and started reception in September. So he’s missed about a month of school but school were fine with it.

saltandvinegar1 · 21/01/2023 03:08

gjkufbb · 20/01/2023 21:42

My sister has just given us her wedding date which is on a Monday.
I'll of course be attending however my son will be in school.

Would you think it's unacceptable to keep him off school to attend? It's about an hour and a half away so I can't really nip out after the wedding to get him and bring him back.

I asked his dad (we are no longer together) and he said no, I'm being unreasonable.

YABU- kids shouldn't miss school for an aunties wedding

YANBU - he should attend

Defo take him to the wedding. These memories will be precious. He will remember it. And so would you having your little boy there

donttellmehesalive · 21/01/2023 03:15

I think it's fine. It's close family and you have no control over their choice of day. I'm a teacher and still think this is ok.

WholeHog · 21/01/2023 03:29

Fine as long as he's invited, check they've not chosen a school day because they want it to be child free.

Mummyoflittledragon · 21/01/2023 03:53

Yanbu of course he must go if invited.

harrassedmumto3 · 21/01/2023 05:04

Of course he should attend!

bluesky45 · 21/01/2023 11:39

I'm a teacher (supply so I pick my own days) and thought I was going to be in the same situation. The wedding we have been invited to ended up on a Saturday so it's not a problem but had it been a weekday, I would definitely not have been working and would have taken my kids out of school for it too.

3luckystars · 22/03/2023 02:09

100% yes from me

snitzelvoncrumb · 22/03/2023 02:14

It’s fine. If your ex is a bit of a dick maybe don’t tell him you are giving ds a day off school.

SinnerBoy · 22/03/2023 02:27

I'd ask the school and fill in a leave of absence form. We've done this with out daughter, for visiting my wife's home country and she'll have a few days off before and after Easter. School said it's technically not authorised, but it's fine and they won't report it.