Taking kids out of school early to have Christmas with Grandparents

[Backyard72]

Last day of school is December 18th, but we're thinking of taking our son out a week earlier so we can keep ourselves to ourselves for a bit and then feel safe having Christmas with my parents who are in their 70s.

I presume there're quite a lot of other people in this situation?

Do it! Tell school they've got "bad colds" and enjoy Xmas with the grandparents.

Now hide this thread before the MN Attendance Police descend to tell you you are a Bad Mother who is ruining her kids' education and life prospects

It will be recorded as an Unauthorised Absence and, if in Primary, your child will miss out on the Christmas activities, bringing home their cards, calendars etc. If Secondary or KS2 they will be missing out on essential school work as such a lot has been missed.

It's up to you, though. I offer no advice.

Agree with @CaptainMyCaptain.
Massively selfish to unnecessarily deprive your children of their education for this reason. They can see their grandparents a few days after Christmas if you’re worried about Covid and your parents. They presumably get 2 weeks off, so plenty of time for family stuff later on.

How is he?

If primary aged he would be missing a fun and exciting week of Christmas activities and treats with his classmates.

If Secondary he would be missing vital time to catch up on missed learning, as well as socialisign with friends.

I'm not saying don't do it, but I do think you need to think about how he would feel.

There are rumours that this will happen anyway, schools shutting early for Christmas. Won't necessarily work at secondary when many have their prelims.

Bad dad :) & it's Primary so he won't miss much, as you say it's all Christmassy stuff pretty much in the last week. I know it'll be recorded as unauthorised, doesn't really bother me, I won't lie I'll tell them the reason. The head of the school is pretty cool, she'll totally understand.

I'm planning to do this. Making my parents happy (and keeping them as safe as I can) is more important to me than DD attending the final few days of school. They only watch Christmas films anyway in the last week.

That'd be good for us Lizzie McQ. I can teach him from home for the week.

This has crossed our minds

it's Primary so he won't miss much, as you say it's all Christmassy stuff pretty much in the last week.

That's quite a simplistic view, whilst it's not vital learning these things do matter to children, they're excited about the activities and treats. They have 2 weeks off so why not just do the Christmas bits with his grandparents a bit later?

Go for it - schools may shut anyway due to covid. Make those precious memories - it will mean a lot to your parents.

Yes Mrs H, agreed.

I will probably take my daughter out of preschool a week early for this reason. Also I dont want to be self isolating over Christmas if someone in her bubble tests positive at the end of term.

It’s not about the learning in primary-it’s about glitter and larks. I’m all for taking kids out early now and again but primary school Christmas is great so could you let him enjoy that and reschedule meeting to gps to, say, NYE?

I also predict a huge surge in demand for tests the week before Christmas as people will want a negative result before visiting relatives.

Icka I understand it's a very individualistic thing. I'm pretty sure my son who's 10 wouldn't miss those last week of school type activities. I'll give him the choice though.

Would love to but would also have to send my DH to live elsewhere as he works with Covid patients.

They only watch Christmas films anyway in the last week.
Not in my class they didn't.

It sounds like a very sensible thing to do, particularly if you have not seen your parents for some time.

Definitely, he's 10 so I'm guessing he completely over glitter crafts anyway. Year 5 (?) is a fairly safe age to assume he won't miss anything vital or particularly exciting.

I actually think this is exactly how Christmas will be dealt with - early closures to give those who wish to/can the chance to isolate and therefore be with family properly rather than at a distance.

If I were you I'd hang fire and see what the actual plan is for getting through Christmas.

I said to my DP yesterday they should have talked about this properly by now, as it's not unusual for people to set in stone what they're planning on doing at this point in November. People need to know what they're aiming for!

@Backyard72

Icka I understand it's a very individualistic thing. I'm pretty sure my son who's 10 wouldn't miss those last week of school type activities. I'll give him the choice though.

Glad you said you’ll give him the choice. If he says he’d prefer to do the Christmas stuff at school than isolate at home for a week in order to see his grandparents, will you change your plans?

I'm actually expecting an earlier finish than planned for the same reasons.

Way over glitter!