To not send my children to school because I need to fly ?

[Paticake]

I have to fly tonight and my kids have been left with my mum, she lives two hours away. Is it ok that they don’t go to school or am I a terrible parent for picking work over the kids?

If your mother isn’t taking them to school, then she won’t be going to work herself. She should be watching the children in your home so the children do not miss school.

Fully agree, to me it's a no-brainer. Not a big deal to miss a day or two of school here or there because of family circumstances.

How are you understanding the OP?? She's posted nothing.

OP you can't prioritise work over your kids getting to school, unless it will literally be one day off and the other parent can get them tomorrow.

She stays at your house and takes them to school tomorrow, surely?

Last minute emergency and it can’t be helped.

don’t worry about OP

How are they getting there on Tuesday even if they miss tomorrow? Why isn’t she caring for them at yours? She could drive them back this evening? It’s only half 5.

If it’s just one day and there is no other option then I think it’s ok. Any longer than that and I think it’s an issue, being honest.

A bit difficult to say as there’s not a lot of info to go on.

I agree, and am from a similar place where people occasionally take their kids off school and said kids go on to live bright, well educated, successful lives.

The hand wringing over missing a few days of school in the UK is so mental.

How long missing school and how unwell?

This is absolutely fine especially if it is a one off.

If it’s a one-off due to unforeseen circumstances I wouldn’t stress about it. They will probably have fun and remember their extra days with grandma far longer than they would have remembered the bog standard days in school!

Its more important that you don’t mess up your career by letting work down at the last minute.

I can never get my head around the drama here on MN about missing school occasionally. I’m in Ireland and it’s nothing like that here. OP of course it’s fine, these things happen. I hope they have a lovely time with their gran and that your work trip goes well.

Im a (retired) teacher in the U.K. and I concur. It’s got silly how much angst there is about the odd day off. For context, it got spoiled for everyone by a few taking the piss (as usual) but if your kids’ attendance is good the odd day (or week) isn’t going to be catastrophic for anyone, especially if you are someone who will help the, catch up.

@Anzena same here, I wonder if we’re in the same country.
It’s one day! Really not the end of the world, don’t worry about it OP.

I’m pretty bothered about my kids being at school and I don’t think one or 2 days makes much difference to anyone to be honest. Maybe if they’re doing their gcses or something? But for primary age? Not a big deal! A week would be more of an issue.

If I was away for work I’d get my mum to come stay at mine so they could go to school. Also because she’d find it easier to not have to deal with them for 6 hours a day. But if you say someone’s ill and plans have changed then so be it. It’s not the end of the world if it’s a day or 2.

In the grand scheme of things, this is just a brief moment in time, and you’re doing your best. That’s what really matters.
As others have said, one or two days is not going to cause the collapse of their educational progress.

Depends how long for? Are you coming back to give more detail? Why didn’t your mum come to your house?

It’s one day, if they have a good attendance record then just phone in sick.

I wouldn’t even give this a second thought. One or two days off sick with Grandma is fine in exceptional circumstances.

I wouldn't stress about this. sounds like it's unavoidable this time and doesn't usually happen.

How much school are we talking - a couple of days or a full week or more?

If you were having to leave tonight as an emergency then YWNBU, but it sounds like a preplanned trip so YABU.
Can mum not come to you?

Depends how old they are, and how long it is for surely? 5 years old and for 1 day is very different to a 13 year old for a week.

Thank god it isn’t just me. Not in the UK either and I’ve never understood this.

@Paticake it’s one day and does sound like an unexpected event. It will be fine.

It’s impossible to comment without knowing how long they will be off school for and how old they are.