Would you let your child go on this school trip?

[Bubblegirly]

Hello

7yr old in year 3 has the opportunity to go to London to see a musical. It’s for those children who are involved in performing arts at school. It’s an evening performance and coach will likely not be home to midnight. It’s on a school night (organised by school) and children are allowed in later the next day.

1 parent is point blank saying no because it’s too late!
other parent thinks 1 late night is ok for a child that has a well established routine generally and that they will be sad to miss out!

YANBU = let them go
YABU= don’t let them go it’s too late

My daughter just went on a 1 school day trip to London from Cornwall, left at 6am, got home at 5am the next morning. They performed in a concert at the O2. She had the most amazing time..yes she was tired and grumpy the next day but it was a fantastic experience for her.

Do they seriously never have a late night - Christmas , NY , on holiday . It’s ridiculous one late night won’t kill anyone and they’ll have a nap on the coach if they are that tired . Just let them go and be grateful the school is bothering to give them the opportunity.

What the hell dude 😂

Don't be ridiculous 😂

Honestly? I would let them go. School has to be for more than just what goes on in a classroom.

This sort of thing is fairly common in private / independent schools (no idea whether your school is).

It's an individual choice at this age based on the child. We've tried some late nights for one or another exciting thing, though not past 10pm. The result is DS exhausted and sad in the evening, fails to sleep in, and becomes a stroppy sobbing mess the next day. How "fun" for him. Some kids would be fine though, and then it's lovely for them to go.

It's only theatre, so we would just book a separate matinee if he wanted to see the show. Maybe with a few other kids who also aren't night owls.

I think it’s ok if you’re able to support the lie in (work allowing?). It’s quite young for this trip so I’d be a bit nervous but it would be exciting for them. Does your DC want to go?

I am 56 - I still remember not being allowed to go and see Joseph when I was in middle school - assuming child would like to go then YES YES YES

Yes this is correct

Yes I'd let them.go. They will remember that night for ages and I'm silure it'll be exciting.

Have you never encountered the group.of.children who suddenly decide to be ridiculous when bored on.long coach journeys? There is always an overdramatic child, or friends who will compete with how much drama they can instigate.

Children, NT ones included can be come very 'dysregulated', to use the Lingo. And yes, 7 year olds can be afraid of the dark. How amusing you think they must have grown out of such a thing when only just old enough to start school in countries with perfectly sound education systems. They are children. That's the point

I have taken primary children to London several
times. It’s always an incredibly long day and tiring but the children love it and talk about it years later.

No. They're not teens either. But funnily enough I see enough of them over emotional on late night school trips. They are seven. I've supervised trips of year 3s before. Personally I cannot understand why a school has picked an evening performance for that age group. I would absolutely take MY child on such a trip, but I wouldn't let them go with a group where I know more than one child will make it tough for all of them. If you think all of them will just meekly doze off on a coach at 10pm you're being unrealistic. Groups do not behave in the same way as individuals

Not specifically addressed to you, but as you used the word... Surely if these kids are into performing arts then they will have been to a bunch of musicals before. My kid isn't particularly but he's still been to loads at different theatres (science shows went down best, but all appreciated). Presumably it's Lion King or Matilda, I'm just really puzzled why staying up half the night will make this one "exciting" rather than going to the matinee instead?

Absolutely this. The teachers have given up their time, and time with their own children, possibly had to organise childcare, will still be up teaching the next day. Honestly, I'm eternally grateful to teachers, girlguides leaders etc who give up their time to give our children fabulous experiences

I'm sure the teachers would have much preferred to do it during the day, so I'm guessing there was a logistical reason why they didn't

Because they’ve probably only ever been to matinees! This is an evening performance, in London, with a bunch of their mates. Coach trip etc to boot.
They’ll remember it forever.

It is very odd that the school haven't booked a matinee. But I wouldn't want my child to miss out when others are going so I'd say yes and put up with the disruption.

If your child will cope (with maybe a bit of grumpiness and an early night) the next day, and you’re ok to do late pick up and late drop off, then that’s fine.

If they will be a sobbing mess after their normal bedtime, and unable to sleep on the coach, then best not.

I had a DC who NEVER slept in a vehicle and just cried inconsolably for their bed when out after bedtime from about 1-8 years old. We stopped trying to do late nights for a few years, it was miserable for everyone.

Breaks from routine/rules are the things that chidlren remember with joy when they grow up. Why would anyone want to deny a child this wonderful opportunity? Rules are for breaking now and again!

Let's all chill and let children have some fun in their lives ......

It's a bit odd but I'd probably let them go if they wanted to. However I can understand people saying no. It's hours past their bedtime and the parent may not be able to leave other kids to collect the child.

Which musical are they going to see, @Bubblegirly ?

It’ll be a great experience for them, and as people have said, they can sleep on the coach and start school later the next day.

I agree. I probably WOULD send him, if all his friends are going, but I think it's ridiculous for a 7 year old. I'm a senior school teacher and we try to avoid super late theatre trips like that even for them. It's not just the child- it's also the family who have to collect them at gone midnight and drive back so late (maybe upto half an hour). It's also all very well and good saying they can come in late the next day, but if both parents work, how are they going to manage thay? It would be an absolute nightmare for us. There are always plenty of matinee performances which would be so much more sensible. Yes, they'd miss school, but it sounds like they'll be missing school the next day anyway! Plus, the poor teachers going on a late trip on a work night - I wonder if they'll get the next morning off like the kids...?

She's 7 years old?

My ex ( now 62) STILL remembers a primary school trip that he wasn't allowed on due to it being back past " bedtime". All his friends went