Would you go to Canada for a week during child's GCSE exams?

[Dramatic]

DH's friend lives in Canada. He is getting married next June and has invited me and DH. We have 4 kids, ages will be 19, 16, 14 and 6.

I don't know this friend well at all, met him once at a party and barely said two words to him so I'm not too fussed if I miss the wedding but I would love to go to Canada.

My 16yo would be in the middle of her GCSEs and so I'd told DH I don't think I can leave her during such a stressful time, our youngest DD has also never been left for more than one night.

He says they'll be fine and I should go, they'd be looked after by grandparents and eldest DD. We don't usually have the opportunity for long haul holidays. Would you go?

No.

Also to add, DH will be going either way.

No

No.

absolutely no

No I wouldn't

Absolutely depends on the child. I would have been fine to leave as quite self motivated, my brother on the other hand!
ALso check the dates as the exams may be nearly over by the time you want to go

Canada will still be there after GCSEs

Absolutely not, let DH go alone.

If it weren't during GCSEs, sure, but with that timing, no I wouldn't.

Probably yes. But I'm thinking of my own kids who all took GCSEs in their stride. If you think your dd is likely to need extra support at that time, the answer would be no. Canada will still be there in future years.

I wouldn't go in those circumstances. GCSEs are stressful enough for young people in normal circumstances.. For both parents to be away during that period would be very unfair on the grandparents and on your daughter.

Having just taken DD through GCSEs it was far more labour intensive than I realised so no no way would I leave her

Definitely no.

Nope. The 16 year old needs calm, routine, someone to build them up if they had a bad exam, make sure they get good food, decent sleep.

Not fair to expect that to be delivered by a 19 year old sibling or grandparents (who are also looking after your youngest and the 14 year old).

Go to Canada another time.

I couldn't have left DD at that point, she gets stressed and worried about exams and wouldn't have cope with someone else during that time.

Depending on the exams she is sitting, the yay be over. But I'd be double checking before booking anything.

No I wouldn’t.

Still a couple of years away from GCSEs in our house but no, I wouldn’t.

No way.

Absolutely not.

No

Absolutely not.

GCSEs aren't life and death, but they are likely to be one of the most important events in your DDs life so far, and more than anything I think it sends a really terrible message to your DD that you'd prioritise a holiday over being there with her to support her if she needs it.

I'd be really disappointed in my DH if he was incapable of recognising this.

Absolutely not. My DD would have found it incredibly upsetting and unsupportive if I had been away.
But I guess it depends on the child.
My parents went away during my A levels and I was really upset but not allowed to show it. I wouldn't do that to my kids.

Another no from me.

This is the only thread I've ever been on where everyone has agreed! And I've been on MN for 20 years!

It's a no from me too. Even worse than being away on results day.