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Original poster

Once in a lifetime trip - 3 weeks off school

935 replies

XMissPlacedX · 14/12/2023 20:27

My daughter has always wanted to go to Disney world Florida, but due to funds I've not been able to afford it. She is 14.

Her aunty who is quite well off and has a daughter the same age (my dd's cousin ) goes to Disney world Florida every 2 years and has offered to take my dd next year for 3 weeks.

The problem is it's the first 3 weeks of the school term ( September 2024). I've asked her if there was anyway of going in the summer holidays and she said it would double their cost and it would be cheaper for them to pay the school fine .

What do I do ? Do I say yes or no ? I would love for my dd to go but am not sure how much the fine would be and what impact missing that amount of school would cause.

I'm really torn

OP posts:
Pinkpinkpink15 · 14/12/2023 23:29

WalnutBlue · 14/12/2023 20:44

Let her go take the fine.
3 weeks of a once in a lifetime experience is worth.
She has the rest of term to catch up.

@WalnutBlue

Disney Florida is not a once in a lifetime opportunity.

shes in exam years. 3 weeks off could change the future for her.

@XMissPlacedX if she was younger, absolutely, in exam years for Disney, no way.

whatsappdoc · 14/12/2023 23:29

Admit it @CommonOrNot you're the aunt aren't you?

kkneat · 14/12/2023 23:36

Would they be willing to go around 20th august, it’s cheaper then as American school pupils have gone back to school as has a lot of Europeans. We’ve gone that time before & the parks were cheaper as was flight back, she’ll then only miss about the first week of school

Lesina · 14/12/2023 23:39

Let her go. She may or may not ‘fail’ he GCSE’s.

she can also do then again

my brother was 22 when he did GcSE and 26 when he did his A levels. He went on to study law and is now the legal director of a significant English Country council.

Let her go.

There is loads of time :)

RampantIvy · 14/12/2023 23:43

she can also do then again

Colleges only offer maths and English GCSE retakes post 16 these days. I guess it is possible to retake other subjects but you would have to pay as a private candidate and find an exam centre yourself.

LaurieStrode · 14/12/2023 23:44

Raincloudsonasunnyday · 14/12/2023 23:14

It's once in a lifetime for her as she has wanted to go since she was little.

Oh give over. Most things in the world are once in a lifetime when you’re 14!! Heck, Year 11 is once in a lifetime. She has the rest of her life for a theme park. She’ll get one stab at GCSEs (more or less). You sound quite immature yourself with this comment.

Plus I'm a single mum ( work full time) and would never be able to afford to send her myself.

This is neither here nor there. Whether you’re single or married; a mum or a dad; work FT or not at all; most importantly whether you could afford it or not, I want doesn’t mean she should get when it’s a question of missing the first 3 weeks of year 11 versus 3 weeks of holiday in florida (of all places). You’d be doing what feels right for you (assuaging your guilt, apparently) rather than what’s right for her (educating her so that one day she doesn’t have to rely on others to fulfill her “lifelong” dreams).

Well said, @Raincloudsonasunnyday

It is absurd to apply "once in a lifetime" to anything related to a 14-year-old school girl.

If you want your child to have a better life than yours, focus on education, not missing school to visit a silly theme park.

Nottodaty · 14/12/2023 23:48

First 3 weeks of y11, sets the foundation for the rest of the year!

Can you not ask for end of June not in school holiday time - celebrate end of exams?

RampantIvy · 14/12/2023 23:48

I feel that the "let her go" posters are out of touch with the current GCSE syllabus.

Anecdotes of how someone achieved great exam results from years ago are irrelevant.

TimeFlysWhenYoureHavingRum · 14/12/2023 23:49

School seems to be optional for many kids since Covid.

LaurieStrode · 14/12/2023 23:50

notmorezoom · 14/12/2023 22:53

First three weeks of the academic year in presumably year 11 or 12? For Disney? Of course not. I'm amazed that any parent with even a passing interest in their child's education would consider it.

This.

Sterling example of how the cycles of poverty are perpetuated. Gratifying a tawdry, expensive and frivolous whim instead of laser-focusing on education.

Atishooooo · 14/12/2023 23:55

I wouldn't, not while she's doing GCSEs. It's a lot of school at an important time.

InflatableSanta · 15/12/2023 00:04

Is she academic, or middling, or just passing the time till she can finish school and do an apprenticeship.or similar?

It very much depends how much good grades matter to her I think

TeenLifeMum · 15/12/2023 00:04

Nope - firstly as age 14 I’d choose universal over Disney. Secondly, September is storm season so you spend ages queuing then a storm shuts the ride for a couple of hours or more and thirdly, August prices aren’t that much different to September (we went last august - third time I’ve been but first for dc) and your dc GCSEs are far more valuable.

TeenLifeMum · 15/12/2023 00:06

Surely if she does well in her gcse she is on track to a great job and many trips to Florida. People really don’t value education in this country. The more I think about it the more infuriating it is.

Banrion · 15/12/2023 00:13

I'm a teacher. Absolutely let her go. It's nearly 2 weeks of travel outside of Disney. Imagine the experiences she'll have which in itself is an education. Of course she'll catch up on what she misses in 3 weeks. You only live once.

LaurieStrode · 15/12/2023 00:13

TeenLifeMum · 15/12/2023 00:06

Surely if she does well in her gcse she is on track to a great job and many trips to Florida. People really don’t value education in this country. The more I think about it the more infuriating it is.

Agree.

Xmasbaby11 · 15/12/2023 00:18

No way. There’s nothing to consider here - too much at stake.

LaurieStrode · 15/12/2023 00:49

Banrion · 15/12/2023 00:13

I'm a teacher. Absolutely let her go. It's nearly 2 weeks of travel outside of Disney. Imagine the experiences she'll have which in itself is an education. Of course she'll catch up on what she misses in 3 weeks. You only live once.

Experiences of what? Crap right-wing, racially bigoted tourist traps in the USA??

TommyNever · 15/12/2023 00:57

I suspect that many of the naysayers here, whatever their stated rationale, are actually thinking:

"I didn't get a treat like that at her age, so this girl shouldn't either. Life is meant to be tough and boring."

sleepwouldbenice · 15/12/2023 01:03

TommyNever · 15/12/2023 00:57

I suspect that many of the naysayers here, whatever their stated rationale, are actually thinking:

"I didn't get a treat like that at her age, so this girl shouldn't either. Life is meant to be tough and boring."

Nope they think beyond the monetary cost and the instagram world of Disney and know what's important

Can't believe someone also thought a major consideration was if it would impact going to the prom

Others saying go if the child is predicted just 4s and 5s

Talk about lack of priorities / low aspirations

TommyNever · 15/12/2023 01:11

LaurieStrode · 15/12/2023 00:49

Experiences of what? Crap right-wing, racially bigoted tourist traps in the USA??

Show quote history

Ha, Disney is massively boycotted by the Right in the USA for being "woke". There have been dramatic right-wing demonstrations outside the very Disney World being discussed here. 😂

LaurieStrode · 15/12/2023 01:23

I'm referring to Florida overall.

Disney is mindless commercial schlock. Florida is toxic.

The notion of letting a young girl miss nearly a month of school to experience either is madness. Prioritizing this crap over education and culture is why some families never manage upward mobility. Personally i would aspire to more for my children.

Nevermind31 · 15/12/2023 01:28

Hard no from me - it is really not a once on a lifetime trip, it’s Disneyland.
and I think when it comes to it, Lodi g the first three weeks of school at that age is a big thing, not just academically but also socially… friendship groups shift.

TurningtheLightOff · 15/12/2023 01:29

Three weeks is a tiny amount of her life. If she’s a hard worker and you know she will knuckle down and study otherwise, allow for it. There is more to life than studying and I say that as someone who went back for multiple years as an adult learner to study alongside work. So I do value study. But I also think her memories of this trip, and that you allowed her to do it and supported her, is also something that matters.

TurningtheLightOff · 15/12/2023 01:30

Adding: if she’s into Disney World, it truly will be magical. I know loads of people don’t like it, but for those who do, she is creating amazing memories.

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