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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I feel terrible, taken out of school for Lapland UK

305 replies

MummaHud · 02/12/2025 07:15

I’ve taken my daughter out of school today she’s 5 for Lapland UK. We don’t have a lot of money and her brother was born extremely premature last year and she missed out on a lot of things because of it.

she’s the kindest soul, she’s really clever and she’s just amazing.

im not justifying anything as id never take my child out of school, but we won VIP at Lapland UK.

an experience I’d never ever consider looking at usually and its not an experience I can turn down.

my daughter has 100% attendance, I’m worried what the school will do? I’ve been honest and she will be back tomorrow.

am I a bad mum? 😭

OP posts:
TheMorgenmuffel · 02/12/2025 07:16

No.

FamilyPhoto · 02/12/2025 07:16

No you're not a bad mum. Enjoy your trip .

SyntheticFluff · 02/12/2025 07:17

Don't be daft. She's 5 and it's hardly a three month absence.

IamnotSethRogan · 02/12/2025 07:19

I know loads of people with kids in much higher years who have taken them out for lapland. If I won the tickets I would do it without hesitating.

PoppyFleur · 02/12/2025 07:20

What a fantastic experience to win! One day out of school, at age 5, will not hinder your daughter whatsoever.

Go, enjoy every minute of it and immediately cease any feelings of guilt, otherwise you will ruin what could be a magical day.

Marylou2 · 02/12/2025 07:20

Have the very best day!! Enjoy every second. You sound like a brilliant mum.

Eenameenadeeka · 02/12/2025 07:21

She's 5 and it's one day of school - don't worry about it! Enjoy the day!!

TheSoapyFrog · 02/12/2025 07:22

Not a bad mum and the school won't do anything. I took my son out of school a while ago (when he was at primary) for something special for a day. I notified the school in advance and was honest about why. They said they couldn't authorise it, but hoped he had a great day.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 02/12/2025 07:23

Don’t worry about it!

For one day, the worst that will happen is a stern letter - which they won’t actually care about they might just feel obliged to do.

Sounds a brilliant day out!

Linenpickle · 02/12/2025 07:23

Seriously, forget about school and have a blast. She’s 5, not 15! No one cares!

littlebilliie · 02/12/2025 07:23

No

Jellycatspyjamas · 02/12/2025 07:31

Why on earth are you feeling guilty? She’s your child and you made a decision as her parent to give her an experience she wouldn’t otherwise have. Go and have a fantastic day - don’t give school another thought.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 02/12/2025 07:33

It’s just a day. I never took my children out of school but they missed plenty of time for Covid/sickness bugs etc. don’t worry about it and have a lovely time.

90yomakeuproom · 02/12/2025 07:33

Why are you worried? Nothing is going to happen. Did you tell school the truth?

Hellodarknessyouoldprick · 02/12/2025 07:36

She’s 5 and it’s one day. The school will do nothing.

I used to work as an attendance and welfare officer. I personally never gave a shit. It doesn’t matter.

theresapossuminthekitchen · 02/12/2025 07:36

I’m a teacher and generally against people taking kids out of school for holidays (exceptional circumstances apart) and ‘duvet days’ but I would not be feeling guilty about this one! A one-off day for a child with 100% attendance, in the early years of school, to do something special that was an unexpected windfall is really not an issue. You’ve been honest with the school, which was a good idea, and they won’t be able to authorise it but I doubt they’ll be worried. Enjoy your day!

TootsMaHoots · 02/12/2025 07:37

Of course you aren’t. Have a lovely time.

You need to have confidence in your decisions really. There is nothing wrong with a five year old missing two days of school l it’s nit like she’s doing her GCSEs.

landlordhell · 02/12/2025 07:38

I’m school staff- go! If she has 100% and it’s a prize, you can’t pick the date.

Herbisaurous · 02/12/2025 07:38

What will school do? Absolutely nothing.

Have a lovely day!

DDivaStar · 02/12/2025 07:40

Wow enjoy, this sounds fantastic.

She is 5, one day off for a very special trip will make no difference to anyone. Well done for being honest too, much better than expecting dd to lie.

Please dont let this spoil your day, have an amazing time.

Hedgehogbrown · 02/12/2025 07:42

MummaHud · 02/12/2025 07:15

I’ve taken my daughter out of school today she’s 5 for Lapland UK. We don’t have a lot of money and her brother was born extremely premature last year and she missed out on a lot of things because of it.

she’s the kindest soul, she’s really clever and she’s just amazing.

im not justifying anything as id never take my child out of school, but we won VIP at Lapland UK.

an experience I’d never ever consider looking at usually and its not an experience I can turn down.

my daughter has 100% attendance, I’m worried what the school will do? I’ve been honest and she will be back tomorrow.

am I a bad mum? 😭

Just lie. Why be honest? Why do you even feel bad? Other countries aren't as strict on this. This is a UK thing.

Overthebow · 02/12/2025 07:42

No, you’re fine. I have a 5 year old and would absolutely take her out of school for the day for this.

CrowMate · 02/12/2025 07:44

Of course you’re not. I hope you have an amazing day - when we went it was by far and away the most magical of the Christmas experiences we had.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 02/12/2025 07:44

It’s one day, no need to make it a big deal. Teachers can’t officially condone it but most would think ‘oh lucky them, what a nice treat’ and move on

CoralOP · 02/12/2025 07:45

You're being silly, you're giving her an amazing experience instead of a day at school!
School fines only come into play with over 5 days, have a fantastic time!