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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To pull a sickie to take my kids to Glastonbury

122 replies

TheColourofspring · 03/05/2023 07:42

Me & DH have glasto tickets. My mum was going to look after the kids but now can’t come down. I am not so concerned about the year 6 child as they will have done SATS & the head won’t mind. The older child more tricky as secondary won’t give any days off and certainly not for a festival. But it’s the last year we can get them in for free! Older child doing well in school so am not so worried about them missing school for a few days.

It’s more how to do it? Formally & it’s likely I will get fined! I feel really bad pulling a sickie but I feel like it’s a great experience for them & one that they will remember.

Glasto tickets are like Rocking horse poo too so for DH & I, it might be our last chance!! There’s great kids stuff on site, family camping & so good all round really. And post covid, feels like an enriching thing to do.

Irresponsible parents or life experience?! I really don’t want to have to give up my tickets with 6 weeks to go!

OP posts:
JazbayGrapes · 03/05/2023 10:16

Do it! Don't bother with truth

CornishGem1975 · 03/05/2023 10:17

cpphelp · 03/05/2023 10:15

Ideal then @CornishGem1975, your kids kiss out on education and no one cares! Well done.

Nobody is caring currently!

Maddy70 · 03/05/2023 10:18

Teacher here I would definitely go. I would also tell them with a wink. X is going to be ill next week as we have Glastonbury tickets

amyboo · 03/05/2023 10:18

Do it! I used to live really close to Glastonbury and we all bunked off school from the Wednesday/Thursday before the festival Grin Good times... And it's a brilliant festival for kids if you ask me

TooOldForThisNonsense · 03/05/2023 10:19

Whinge · 03/05/2023 07:50

Take them, but don't lie to the school.

This

MamskiBell · 03/05/2023 10:20

If it's less than 5 days there'll be no fine. Just tell the school, take the snooty letter on the chin and have an amazing time. Don't pull a sickie, just let them put it down as an unauthorised absence. We did the same with our son.....teachers parting shot? "Have a lovely holiday, see you when you get back" 🤣

greencheetah · 03/05/2023 10:20

YANBU to go

YABU to lie. Just tell the truth and pay the fine.

Thehollygrail · 03/05/2023 10:24

I’d go and lie, but I realise I’m in a minority on here! 😂

AnnoyingHusbandOrIsHe · 03/05/2023 10:24

I went to Glasto for many many years. We do smaller festivals now just for ease but we always see a jump in DCs development afterwards. It’s such an enriching experience. It’s not just the exposure to music from across the world, it’s the other stuff. The performance art, the education, the food from across the world. The people you meet. So much to do and see and that’s without the two very excellent children’s areas!!

Family camping field at Glasto always used to be much calmer, more spacious and chilled out too. My friends had their kids with them and it was so good for them. Good to have so hungover people aren’t woken up by early morning kids and kids aren’t woken up by late night revellers!!

Go officially and pay the fine I think. Worth every penny and every judgemental look or comment.

kittensinthekitchen · 03/05/2023 10:30

I'd do it and be honest about it.

What an experience 😍

EmmaGrundyForPM · 03/05/2023 10:34

YABU to lie to the school. Take them, but be honest about it. Ask for holiday (you won't get it) and accept whatever fine you get.

Make sure your DC catch up with any work missed, but do NOT ask their teachers to provide extra work.

SchoolTripDrama · 03/05/2023 10:40

I wouldn’t take children (of any age) to Glastonbury 🤔All the drugs etc. Why on earth would you expose children to that? Disgusting

CornishGem1975 · 03/05/2023 10:45

SchoolTripDrama · 03/05/2023 10:40

I wouldn’t take children (of any age) to Glastonbury 🤔All the drugs etc. Why on earth would you expose children to that? Disgusting

"All the drugs'

My kids probably see more drugs in and out of school. They're everywhere, not just at Glasto. Believe it or not, the majority don't actually go there to get off their tits.

Mrsdht · 03/05/2023 10:48

I deffo would not take them during mocks. The whole mock exam situation itself proved to be a learning curve for my kids so I felt that was important for them. But that's MY kids. If it wasn't mocks I'd probably lie for 3 day's tbh. I wouldnt lie for a 1 or 2 week holiday though...

pontipinemum · 03/05/2023 10:56

I don't have any notion on what to say at school, my DC is a baby. But I would 100% take them out of school for something like that. Well for me maybe not exactly that as I wouldn't go, not my thing. But I would take him out for something like an experience/ cultural/ exceptional thing.

Original poster
TheColourofspring · 03/05/2023 10:58

@SchoolTripDrama theres definitely more drugs in the town I live in than I have ever seen at glasto tbh - some kids at the school were dealing ketamine recently

OP posts:
Letsdance8188 · 03/05/2023 10:59

I always watch it on the tv and notice loads of school age children who are there, clearly having a lovely time when they should be at school. Seems to be the standard thing to do! Other kids are taken out of school for entire weeks in DSs class to go on holiday so I wouldn't bat an eyelid at taking him out for a few days.

crimsonpeak · 03/05/2023 11:00

Definitely do it! Hope you all have a blast OP. I would love to take my kids one day.

Seasonofthewitch83 · 03/05/2023 11:00

I would def do it! What an amazing experience. Not everything we learn is in a classroom etc etc. I would just be upfront because teens can never keep a secret and they should be able to tell their friends!

Popsicle42 · 03/05/2023 11:01

Take them, but be honest with the school.

Climbles · 03/05/2023 11:04

Don’t take them and send me the tickets instead 😉
Seriously though, it’s a fantastic opportunity I don’t know why you’re even asking.

Qilin · 03/05/2023 11:05

Hbh17 · 03/05/2023 10:01

You clearly have no respect for your children's education or for your employer. I'm astonished that anyone would think this is a good idea.

I think you haven't read the OP properly if you are concerned about the poster's employer. The op isn't pulling a sickie from work. She was already going, with alternative childcare. I assume they have taken time off work to go. It's no concern of the employer what she does in her days off.

Re school. I don't know any teachers who'd be remotely concerned about 3 days being missed. Most I know would tell the children to have a great time. If missing 3 days is going to have such a detrimental effect to a child's education, or their attitude to learning, there are greater issues at play.

I missed 1-2 weeks of school most years growing up. This was due to factory shut down and only time for holiday, which was term time. Despite this I have always respected schools and teachers, and myself and my parents valeted education. We were the first people in our wider family to go to university, we all got good grades and I went in to become a teacher. I've taught for over 25 years since. So, no ime missing the off day once in a while won't affect respect for school/education.

Gettingbysomehow · 03/05/2023 11:08

I'd do it for sure. Schools now are training kids to be little work robots - to all look the same, attend no matter what and do as they are told.

GoodChat · 03/05/2023 11:09

Life experience is valuable. I'd take them but be honest about it.

Qilin · 03/05/2023 11:10

SchoolTripDrama · 03/05/2023 10:40

I wouldn’t take children (of any age) to Glastonbury 🤔All the drugs etc. Why on earth would you expose children to that? Disgusting

Go into your average city centre and you'll see people smoking drugs or comatose after the effects of drugs.
There are schools nearby where you can smell weed, from nearby houses, when in the playground. And that is in a nice area!

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