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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is a bit out of order

105 replies

teaforme33 · 04/09/2023 17:32

I've seen loads of people going on holiday today. Obviously prices will have gone down as the kids go back to school but aibu to think this is a bit shitty for the kids? I'm not against term time holidays and have taken mine out before but never right at the start of a new year.

I think it's massively unfair for kids who are moving up to a new school to totally deprive them of those first few weeks of meeting new friends and settling in to a brand new environment. I would say it's also quite unsettling for those who are just moving up a year in the same school. It's still a change of dynamic, teacher, routine. By the time they get back everyone will have settled down and it just feels like they are starting the year on a disadvantage.

And yes we're in a cost of living crisis and people do what they need to but I honestly can't imagine having 6 weeks off then choosing to whip my kids out of the first week of school just to go to center parcs or something. I would rather find a cheaper holiday during the time off.

OP posts:
Original poster
teaforme33 · 04/09/2023 19:03

Bump

OP posts:
CareBears48 · 04/09/2023 19:06

They go in September as the weather is still usually pretty good but prices are beginning to drop. YANBU about the children missing important ‘settling in’ time though.

Preeeettyprettygood · 04/09/2023 19:06

I'm one of those parents doing it for the first time due to the whole of the holidays being booked off at work, my child going on their first ever holiday and it being the only time we could get. I'm not going to get myself in a flap over taking him out for 5 days when he's with all of his friends and will have had 10 days in in Primary school.

I get what you're saying, but some of us don't have the luxury or choice. As a single parent and even out of school holidays it's still cost me over £1600 of saving for the 2 of us and I am not going to feel guilty and will enjoy every second of this precious time

Greensleeves · 04/09/2023 19:06

It depends entirely on the individual family circumstances, the kids, and various other factors which you will know nothing about. Sometimes a family holiday can be so important to regroup and recuperate after a trauma that it does justify missing a few days of school. Sometimes kids are school refusers for very good reasons. You can only speak for your own children really; so best to avoid pronouncing judgement on strangers.

Octosaurus · 04/09/2023 20:23

Education includes travel, culture and experience, it's not all about school. The first week will be settling in anyway probably the best time to miss

OnAMidnightTrainToGeorgia · 04/09/2023 20:32

I'm sure the kids will be fine long term!

Hufflepods · 04/09/2023 20:35

I've seen loads of people going on holiday today

Have you camped out in an airport?

Dinoboymama · 04/09/2023 20:39

It depends on the school, lots of schools near us move the kids up before summer starts after the exams. Therefore they'll already have done a month of their new timetable before summer break.

CaroleSinger · 04/09/2023 20:44

Do schools still issue penalties for term time holidays? 😕

Theimpossiblegirl · 04/09/2023 20:45

Not all schools are back yet. If my children's school wasn't opening up because of the concrete issue a holiday would be a great idea!

OnAMidnightTrainToGeorgia · 04/09/2023 20:48

A week or two out of a lifetime will make ZERO difference!

Oysterbabe · 04/09/2023 20:48

I think it's shitty to make them miss the first week back at school too. DD is excited and nervous about her new class and new teacher. It will be easier if her peers are doing it at the same time, figuring out the new routines etc.

BCBird · 04/09/2023 20:50

When the child is starting a new school I think it is totally unacceptable

IDontLoveTheWayYouLie · 04/09/2023 20:51

I wouldn't do the first week back because of new class, friends, teacher etc but do understand why people would do it later on through the year.

TidyDancer · 04/09/2023 20:55

Yeah it's not great is it? Pulling out of school a few days before the end of term I think is broadly fine but start of term is a poor choice, more so if it's a change of school.

TheNightTrolll · 04/09/2023 20:57

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Sexnotgender · 04/09/2023 20:59

WTF is that ridiculous post?

Sexnotgender · 04/09/2023 21:00

I’m going on holiday Thursday. My kids school does a staggered intake so he doesn’t actually start for 2 weeks.

Barbiesback · 04/09/2023 21:01

YABU. I'm a single parent where are these cheaper holidays? This topic is always unpopular but some of us go away for the sake of our mental health! I manged to book in May half term next year to Egypt and its cost over £1000pp for 11 nights. If I went during school time I could probably get more for my money!

I just don't see why this is for you to worry about at all.

Barbiesback · 04/09/2023 21:03

It's youth local council. It's £60 per child.

Barbiesback · 04/09/2023 21:05

Snap I'm the same!

BorrowedThyme · 04/09/2023 21:05

Preeeettyprettygood · 04/09/2023 19:06

I'm one of those parents doing it for the first time due to the whole of the holidays being booked off at work, my child going on their first ever holiday and it being the only time we could get. I'm not going to get myself in a flap over taking him out for 5 days when he's with all of his friends and will have had 10 days in in Primary school.

I get what you're saying, but some of us don't have the luxury or choice. As a single parent and even out of school holidays it's still cost me over £1600 of saving for the 2 of us and I am not going to feel guilty and will enjoy every second of this precious time

If you have that much to spend on a holiday, then you do have luxury and choice! That is a monstrous amount for two of you! You could go away in the summer or October half term for less than half of that very easily

BorrowedThyme · 04/09/2023 21:06

Or go camping for 10% of the cost....

Barbiesback · 04/09/2023 21:10

@BorrowedThyme you can't go abroad all inclusive in summer for less than £1600 I'm always scouting holidays. £800pp isn't bad depending on the duration of the holiday. Prices have been super expensive. During covid... I booked for May this year £600pp for 9 nights in Turkey AL. I can't get a holiday for next year that price. Its hardly luxury some of us just cut back and do overtime to pay for our holidays far inadvance.

BorrowedThyme · 04/09/2023 21:14

Barbiesback · 04/09/2023 21:10

@BorrowedThyme you can't go abroad all inclusive in summer for less than £1600 I'm always scouting holidays. £800pp isn't bad depending on the duration of the holiday. Prices have been super expensive. During covid... I booked for May this year £600pp for 9 nights in Turkey AL. I can't get a holiday for next year that price. Its hardly luxury some of us just cut back and do overtime to pay for our holidays far inadvance.

These holidays you are talking about are the height of luxury. It amazes me how people are on here spending shedloads on luxury holidays while moaning about how hard done by they are, and claiming to need it for their "mental health"😂

For goodness sake, get a grip!

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