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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To go on a work trip during GCSEs?

28 replies

Namechange1971 · 12/05/2023 23:17

Just this really - having a bit of a crisis of confidence. Son about to take GCSEs over the next few weeks - load of papers, of course, up to the end of June and I have a work trip over three days and two of the exams.
Asked son several times and he has told me he is confident in the exams and fine with this - he will also have DH and older sister to support and I will be in touch all the time.
The work trip is relatively important and involves travel to EU but I will be able to be in contact all the time.
Still feel a bit wobbly/guilty though. Would ideally like to be able to go but DS is my priority. AIBU to go??

OP posts:
VickyEadieofThigh · 13/05/2023 09:29

I say this to encourage you that YANBU, because DH is still there: a friend was widowed last year and her younger daughter is doing GCSEs this summer.

Friend's work takes her all over the country, she's been away on multiple overnights per week all year and she doesn't have any option other than to carry on doing it to pay the bills.

Your son will be absolutely fine - in fact, that's one less person making a noise in the house and distracting him!

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 13/05/2023 09:40

I'd consider not going if you would be doing something like driving your son in because normally he gets a bus which can be unreliable. You may be aware that if he's very late to an exam, he won't be allowed to sit it (JCQ rules).

If he can walk to school, get reliable public transport that will get him there early with a back up option if he misses it, or your DH/his sister can drop him in, then I think it's fine to go.

If his only option was a school bus, where if he missed it or there was a problem with the bus, there is no other option to get into school on time AND you are the only person who could drop him to school on those days, I'd say he needs to take priority.

In terms of emotional support, etc, I think it's possible to do this over the phone if he wants it, and he will have his teachers and friends in school, as well as DH and his sister at home- so I think it's fine for a few days.

I think the only exception for this is if you don't normally travel for work, and this would be the first time- because he might find that a bit emotionally unsettling, and I wouldn't want to do that to someone taking exams.

SussexBonfireViking · 13/05/2023 09:56

I went to Bermuda for 2 months during oldest DS GCSEs - and it was brilliant, there was no stress between me and DH (not that there is a lot anyway) and I worried about me, DH had time to spend with DS1 and it worked out really well

DS1 did amazingly well with his GCSEs as well

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