Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
AnotherNam · 02/12/2025 13:03

I took my children out of school for the day to visit Lapland UK last week. School could not have cared less. Have a great day, the place is amazing!

IsItSnowing · 02/12/2025 13:27

Have a wonderful day. The school might say something (or not) but they won't do anything over one day. But your dd will have the best time and that is what really matters.

Janey3090 · 02/12/2025 13:53

Don't give it a second thought OP, enjoy the day with your wonderful daughter x

Aligirlbear · 02/12/2025 14:11

Not a problem at all , she is 5 and it will be a magical experience, but make sure you are honest with the school , your 5 year old won’t be able to fib about being ill !

socool · 02/12/2025 16:08

If I was her teacher, I'd mark her present.

Tiswa · 02/12/2025 16:11

socool · 02/12/2025 16:08

If I was her teacher, I'd mark her present.

Yeah you really can’t do that. That isn’t how attendance works it is so strict nowadays that she is going to be lucky to have it down as authorised

it will be one unauthorised absence which is hardly going to cause issues

cocog · 02/12/2025 16:12

I’ve taken mine out several times for Lapland uk and 3 days for Disneyland they have really good attendance usually they have an amazing opportunity it’s absolutely worth it, life is not just about school. Have a wonderful day and don’t think twice about it.

socool · 02/12/2025 16:15

Tiswa · 02/12/2025 16:11

Yeah you really can’t do that. That isn’t how attendance works it is so strict nowadays that she is going to be lucky to have it down as authorised

it will be one unauthorised absence which is hardly going to cause issues

Show quote history

I did mean to put a smiley thing at the end of that sentence to show I was just being rebellious! I know what you're saying is correct. Especially I suppose in the event of a fire or evacuation for example, the school would need to know everyone was accounted for.

It was tongue in cheek....

WestwardHo1 · 02/12/2025 17:34

socool · 02/12/2025 16:08

If I was her teacher, I'd mark her present.

No teacher would do that. Say there was a fire in the building or something

WestwardHo1 · 02/12/2025 17:35

Sorry, just read your second post

StillAGoth · 02/12/2025 21:01

socool · 02/12/2025 16:08

If I was her teacher, I'd mark her present.

Don't be stupid 🙄

AnneShirleyBlythe · 02/12/2025 21:12

Hope you had an amazing day OP! When I was a child my mum was very strict about school attendance but we always had a day off in December to go to the city centre to see Santa, Xmas lights etc & to get a party outfit. Never did out education any harm & I have fond memories of the Christmas shop displays, Santa & going out for lunch which was a rare treat in the 70s- 80s !

lolly427 · 02/12/2025 21:19

I hope you had a wonderful day OP!

Sennelier1 · 03/12/2025 17:48

You're not a bad mum, on the contrary. Now try and remember that because you might get a few sour faces when you pick her up from school tomorrow. Those people are just jalous. Now go and enjoy this fantastic opportunity, make lot of pictures to relive the event in the coming weeks, especially of your daughter - with facepaint please!

MeohMyoh · 03/12/2025 17:50

We have taken the kids out for lapland 2 years running. Don’t worry, the school won’t do anything. It will get marked as unauthorised but that’s all. It’s just one day. Have the most wonderful time! VIP sounds amazing!

opencecilgee · 03/12/2025 17:51

You won it? You can’t pass that up.
lapland uk is mega bucks

LJH001 · 03/12/2025 17:54

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? 😭

No you're not. Tell them it was an educational trip. State things she learned and ask to fill in the educational trip form

NoisyViewer · 03/12/2025 17:56

Anna Williamson said on her podcast her kids are missing school to go to Lapland uk. She’ll have a much more worthwhile experience with you doing Lapland than she will have at school. Enjoy you day

angela1952 · 03/12/2025 17:56

I hope you had a really wonderful time

Coloursingreydays · 03/12/2025 17:56

absolutely not guilt for it . ENJOY IT. specially at that age , school is very little for them in reception y1. I take mine all the time out for holidays, we dont have family here so I book when its cheaper for US, I also pay private school so i do not give a ... what they think if Im paying. I normally take her out 3 days before the term ends for flights that are cheaper etc. I only have one kid so School will never stop me for giving her experiences I like. ENJOY YOUR TIME. life is ONE.

MMUmum · 03/12/2025 17:56

I wrote my Dd's teacher a note to request a Friday off because we were going to Edinburgh Zoo for my 50th birthday. She signed it ' what a lovely idea' 🥰

Cat1504 · 03/12/2025 17:56

2 of my colleagues took their DC out of school at 2pm today to go to Manchester Lapland ….good on them I say

ARCmummy · 03/12/2025 17:57

You are a lovely mum and absolutely you deserve this. X. X

IThinkHesTalkingToYou · 03/12/2025 17:57

Previously worked in a school and can honestly say that 99.99% of school staff would not mind remotely in your circumstances - 100% attendance otherwise, everybody would understand! If I was your daughter’s teacher, I would be saying that I hope you both have a lovely time and that it’s an opportunity not to be missed. Echoing others, she is 5 and you both deserve to have a lovely time. Enjoy and Merry Christmas 🎅🏻🎄

InOverMyHead84 · 03/12/2025 17:58

You are a great Mum. Hope you all had a wonderful time.