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Original poster

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:
Sartre · 02/12/2025 11:03

Of course you’re not! Enjoy your day with your DC and well done for winning!

Wishimaywishimight · 02/12/2025 11:07

Oh come on, you know you're not a "bad mum" for taking a 5 year old out of school for the day so that you can take her on a fab day out!

Some of the faux guilt on MN is a bit annoying at times - posters who know damn well that are not being 'bad' mums for whatever reason but somehow in need of validation from strangers and cries of "awww hun, you are a fab mum, you're doing a great job" etc.🙄

KittyFinlay · 02/12/2025 11:09

It's one day for a 5 yo, the school will do nothing and won't care at all. I say that as someone who is against taking kids out of school for holidays in most circumstances.

When was her birthday?

TreeDudette · 02/12/2025 11:09

She's 5?? She will miss nothing of import at age 5. Have fun!

Tiswa · 02/12/2025 11:10

@MummaHud why does this bother you to the point it is hanging over your day and you think you are a bad mum

ItsAMoooPoint · 02/12/2025 11:11

I don't believe in taking kids out of school as a general rule, but even I would take my 5 year old out one day for something like this. Honestly, I doubt the school will be upset about it.

Enjoy your day (lovely sunny day for a Christmassy day out as well!!) and don't worry about it at all.

Lavender14 · 02/12/2025 11:15

Ah op no don't worry at all! Obviously schools need to address rising attendance issues and school refusal but that's to ensure fairness across the board and so that families who would take the piss or have real issues around attendance can trigger some sort of flag. If your dds attendance is usually 100% then I wouldn't worry. This is a fab experience and there's more to life than school.

I totally understand why schools are trying to prioritise attendance but equally I think it shouldn't come at the expense of low income children being able to have the experiences their peers have during peak summer months. I think there should be a quota of holiday days parents can tap into when they need to if it makes certain things more accessible.

Cyclebabble · 02/12/2025 11:18

At five she will not be able to remember what she was doing for a few days at school. She will remember Lapland forever. Enjoy and stop with the guilt. As Mums we are prone to over-thinking.

Ginagogo · 02/12/2025 11:24

Sounds amazing. Have the best time!

Imdunfer · 02/12/2025 11:34

Capesthorne looks stunning, it's a fairytale city !

Since you won them, no question, and I'm usually dead against taking kids out of school.

I'm jealous!

LoveSandbanks · 02/12/2025 11:39

Some years ago I booked tickets for the family to go to Harry Potter world for the last day before Feb half term. I requested authorised absence from the school but was refused.

we went anyway (and it was full of other children on school trips!). After half term I was having a chat with one of my sons teachers and mentioned that we’d gone anyway and she replied “oh you did go, I’m so glad!”

Im opposed to 2 weeks in Tenerife in term time but a day for uk Lapland is a bit different.

WestwardHo1 · 02/12/2025 11:40

Thechaseison71 · 02/12/2025 09:43

No fine for ONE day. Stop scaremongering

Show quote history

Exactly. I'd say "pull a sickie" except you can't trust a five year old not to blab 😂

ChipsAreLife · 02/12/2025 11:44

we moved to Australia from UK last year. The attitude towards attendance at primary school is so refreshing! It’s like how it was when we were kids. Lots of families take out for holidays, special days out etc. not constantly but when they feel it’s needed.

parents should be allowed to have family experiences, wellbeing is just as important as education if not more so! Enjoy every minute!

mondaytosunday · 02/12/2025 11:44

Not at all. I hate the ‘justification’ that parents put forward why an in term two week trip to Disney is essential - but one day at age 5 will not make an iota of difference and with 100% attendance it would be a cold heart that would do anything - possibly a warning letter at most saying unauthorised absences are not acceptable (they may well support your decision but have to follow the rules). Enjoy it!

katseyes7 · 02/12/2025 11:45

Absolutely not! She's five, not in the middle of exams.
She'll remember this in the future. Go and have a wonderful time! x

Mwwoman · 02/12/2025 12:01

Ex primary Head speaking: don’t worry about it! If you don’t make a habit of keeping her off, the school won’t really care too much (though they may feel they have to express their disapproval).

cestlavielife · 02/12/2025 12:02

Just tell the school it was a vip prize they will be happy for you
She is five
One day off

Monty34 · 02/12/2025 12:03

If our education system is so poor that taking a child out for one day aged 5 will affect her forever more then as a country we have serious issues.
She could have been ill. For a day.
Do not worry about it for one moment.

TinyHousemouse · 02/12/2025 12:28

I would absolutely take my DD out of school if I won this. Have an amazing day, it is the most magical place ❤️

flumposie · 02/12/2025 12:30

Teacher here, you are not a bad mum. Your daughter is 5, enjoy it.

canuckup · 02/12/2025 12:32

Oh come on

Sonolanona · 02/12/2025 12:35

I'm taking my grandson (4..in Reception year) out for the week after half term in February. In theory he shouldn't get fined, but if he does, we'll suck it up.
We are off to Australia for two weeks to see my DS1 (emigrated) who he adores .
We will do reading and writing while he's away and ask if there is anything we should cover (I'm a supply TA myself so comfortable doing that) but frankly time spent with his family is way more important...and I say that as someone who has worked in Education for 20+ years! Kids spend a minumim of 11 years in school... as long as generally attendance is good, the odd days missing really do not matter!

user1492809438 · 02/12/2025 12:37

Teacher here. I am usually scathing about parents taking children out, but she's 5, it's an amazing experience and one she will always remember. Go for it, have a wonderful time and don't beat yourself up!

Shufflebumnessie · 02/12/2025 12:44

You are NOT a bad mum in any way, shape or form so please, please try and rid those thoughts from your head.
Missing one day of school, at the age of 5, is not going to impact her education one bit.
In 5 years time will she remember what she did at school on a particular day? No! Will she remember having the best day out at Lapland UK? Absolutely!
You won the opportunity to have a day to remember forever.
We choose not to take our children out of school during term time for holidays etc, but if we'd won the same prize as you then we absolutely would have done.
I hope you're both having a fantastic, festive fun filled day.

Itsmrsadlertoyou · 02/12/2025 12:47

I’ve taken little man out for our trips to Finland , Paris, Germany . Trust me teachers would rather the kids have a ball.