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Original poster

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

156 replies

Dramatic · 31/10/2025 17:28

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?

OP posts:
Wells37 · 31/10/2025 18:05

No I definitely wouldn’t

MildlyAnnoyed · 31/10/2025 18:06

No I wouldn’t go

WearyAuldWumman · 31/10/2025 18:06

No. You need to be at home.

WearyAuldWumman · 31/10/2025 18:07

Dramatic · 31/10/2025 17:29

Also to add, DH will be going either way.

Why would you even consider it, in that case?

SuspiciousTimes · 31/10/2025 18:08

@Dramatic I would not go.

Original poster
Dramatic · 31/10/2025 18:09

Thanks, you've all confirmed my feelings! My instant reaction was to say no way, DH thinks I'm being daft but it seems not, thanks all

OP posts:
BananaPeels · 31/10/2025 18:09

sorry no from me. The GCsE period is long, miserable, drawn out and tiring. I was there every night with dinner and a cuddle and someone to hear them vent and decompress. I wouldn’t have missed a day honestly.

HundredMilesAnHour · 31/10/2025 18:10

Dramatic · 31/10/2025 18:09

Thanks, you've all confirmed my feelings! My instant reaction was to say no way, DH thinks I'm being daft but it seems not, thanks all

You’re not being daft whereas he’s being selfish and thoughtless.

brunettemic · 31/10/2025 18:10

IAmKerplunk · 31/10/2025 17:30

Canada will still be there after GCSEs

The best thing about this comment (which is right) is I bet there’s someone on MN who will disagree with it.

UninitendedShark · 31/10/2025 18:10

No I wouldn’t.

Original poster
Dramatic · 31/10/2025 18:13

EarthlyNightshade · 31/10/2025 17:58

Dates?
Exams are spread out and finish mid-June and there's half term as well.

I personally wouldn't have considered it with my kids but many are self motivated and would be fine with grandparents.

The wedding is 13th June, I've already checked dates and there will be at least 3 or 4 exams in the week he's planning on going.

OP posts:
Zempy · 31/10/2025 18:14

I wouldn’t, no

IAmKerplunk · 31/10/2025 18:14

brunettemic · 31/10/2025 18:10

The best thing about this comment (which is right) is I bet there’s someone on MN who will disagree with it.

Show quote history

🤣 probably 🤣

Original poster
Dramatic · 31/10/2025 18:16

hippospot · 31/10/2025 17:53

I wouldn't. Also, going to Canada for only a week is a huge pity. If it's somewhere you've always wanted to go, then go later, for longer, and take the kids.

This is very true, although I don't know if it'll ever happen as we'll probably never be able to afford it.

OP posts:
Tilly91 · 31/10/2025 18:16

No definitely not.

Littletreefrog · 31/10/2025 18:18

My parents went to Australia during my GCSE no reason apart from it was to celebrate an anniversary but was already some months after the anniversary anyway. It's definitely not the only reason I know I wasn't really a priority to them but it certainly didn't help.

LadyPiglet · 31/10/2025 18:19

Personally, no I wouldn't.

GCSEs are likely to be one of the most tiring ajd stressful experiences of her life. She might sail through without a care but you won't be able to guarantee that in advance. Going away sends the message that going to the wedding of someone you barely know is more important than what's going on for her. My parents did something similar and it really stung, all the way into adulthood.

IAmKerplunk · 31/10/2025 18:19

Dramatic · 31/10/2025 18:16

This is very true, although I don't know if it'll ever happen as we'll probably never be able to afford it.

Show quote history

Sorry to be ‘that’ poster how can you afford to consider going to Canada just you and DH in 2026 but you couldn’t afford it a couple of years later?

LadyPiglet · 31/10/2025 18:20

Dramatic · 31/10/2025 18:16

This is very true, although I don't know if it'll ever happen as we'll probably never be able to afford it.

Show quote history

If you could both afford to go for a week In June, why couldn't you save for two weeks at a bettee time?

If you can't really afford it, it's not worth it for a week IM0

Ionlymakejokestodistractmyself · 31/10/2025 18:21

I mean, I was at boarding school with loads of other pupils during GCSEs and coped fine without having my parents there. But I was happy there and also was academic so wasn't too anxious about passing etc. I think it depends on your DC, relationships with GPs and their own state of mind.

soupyspoon · 31/10/2025 18:22

I would check the dates and have a think about what your kids need, would it be really disruptive for them for you both to not be there, or not?

And if its unsettling for them, how would they feel with dad being away too, even if you're there?

I thought exams were in May anyway

BananaPeels · 31/10/2025 18:24

@soupyspoon 6 weeks start of may to mid June.

therole · 31/10/2025 18:24

No

ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews · 31/10/2025 18:25

No way.

blueshoes · 31/10/2025 18:27

No. Just no. Out of the question.

I have a moratorium on travel from the October half term onwards for all big exams for all of the dcs. We then splurge on a summer holiday.