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?

What christmassy stuff? Mine have been told no nativity (covid) no Santa visit (Covid) no xmas party (covid).

What am I missing?

@lilmishap

What christmassy stuff? Mine have been told no nativity (covid) no Santa visit (Covid) no xmas party (covid).

What am I missing?

Well ours are having a Christmas party in their bubble, Christmas crafts etc. They don’t usually have a Santa visit anyway. The only thing they’re not doing that they usually do is the nativity and carol service.

Ours aren't getting the party, food in hands is an issue apparently. I'm expecting a house full of paper snowflakes and xmas trees and lots of talk about the films they've watched.

Bit meh about the whole thing this year

A whole week off isn't right, lying about them being ill when they are not. If the teachers did this to see their families schools would have to close. It's hard on all of us but kids have missed enough school, I'd never do this. Sorry

My youngest son who is also 10 would be furious if I took him out of school to miss the fun stuff . He is also in the group that’s having catch up lessons so I’d be mad to take him out anyway .

Could you celebrate with your grandparents at New Year instead ?

if University’s are going to test and send students home early - maybe schools will finish early - who can say

Don't let anyone make you feel guilty or make you question your decision.

You know that poem about children being little for such a little time, so hold their hands a little longer?
Similar thoughts apply to grandparents.

When we get to the age of being grandparents we have so little time to spend with our grandchildren, and they with us, even if the grandchildren are adults by the time they lose their Grandma and Grandad.

Treasure that time. You can make up for missing a week at primary school. You can't go back and see your grandparents when they're no longer here.

Have a wonderful time with your family.

Ours are really doing their best. Virtual nativity and virtual carol service, Christmas jumper day, Christmas lunch and the usual crafts, movie etc. I do think it will be a lovely week for the children.

Visiting the grandparents has a much higher educational value and safety is important. I think you would be doing the right thing

Pinkbubbles12, sending you and yours love and strength. Xx

Mine don't break up until the 22nd December. My mum is 81 and widowed, living alone. I want to take mine out early but their dad would fight me on it. Even if we did things at new year they still won't have had 2 weeks off.
I'm hoping schools decide to close early.

OP do what you think is right for your family and have a lovely Christmas.

Do it and enjoy! I’m planning on doing the same...

Our school are allowing this, they already have all the lessons live for anyone isolating so the children can still work at home. It's not like they are going to be missing lots of exciting Christmas activities this year.

I’m hoping schools decide to close early

I get that people want to see grandparents. But hoping they close early, when that will cause others major difficulties, it a bit off in my opinion. If they close early DH or I will have to take a weeks unpaid leave.

@OpEd

Keep them in school and pay for a private test?

I don't think this would reassure me unless I took the test on Christmas day right before they arrived, a test only tells you that you're negative at the time you take the test. The only way to be sure is to isolate for 2 weeks before Christmas.

OP, I've been seriously considering this myself.

Reading everyone's messages reinforces my view that we will likely take my son out of school a week early. We will be complete honest with the school about the reason and I imagine they'll be fine with it. I understand that many people don't want to or can't so maybe the Govt/Local Councils should just show some leniency for this last week.

For us Christmas is the special time, New Year not at all. Seeing my parents and them seeing their only Grandson is vital for their mental health. Lockdown was tough for them.

Educationally, my son will not miss out. We are always learning at home - different stuff from school for sure. There are always Science, History, Geography, Maths, Engineering, etc discussions going on.

@lunar1

Our school are allowing this, they already have all the lessons live for anyone isolating so the children can still work at home. It's not like they are going to be missing lots of exciting Christmas activities this year.

Great school.

@Autumncolourlover

Mine don't break up until the 22nd December. My mum is 81 and widowed, living alone. I want to take mine out early but their dad would fight me on it. Even if we did things at new year they still won't have had 2 weeks off. I'm hoping schools decide to close early.

OP do what you think is right for your family and have a lovely Christmas.

Thank you. Sorry you're in such a predicament!

Take him. If this year has taught us anything it’s the importance of family - crafting with his classmates pales in comparison to you all getting together for an extended celebration. If you’re worried if he’s missing anything do some spellings and maths at home for that week.

@myneighboursarerude

Take him. If this year has taught us anything it’s the importance of family - crafting with his classmates pales in comparison to you all getting together for an extended celebration. If you’re worried if he’s missing anything do some spellings and maths at home for that week.

Totally agree. We'll be crafting at home - he's getting very excited about making crackers for everyone. We were in stitches last night going through the "Crack - a - Joke" book (do you remember that!) looking for corny cracker jokes to include - classics like:

Q. How do you get hold of a wild duck?
A. Buy a tame one and annoy it!

:)

I’d like an earlier finish too as if a bubble pops people will either spend Christmas worrying, possibly ill or ignoring isolation and spreading it even more.

A private test won’t remove the need to isolate.

Dd2 is quite happy to come out of school early. She's into crafting and baking so would love it. She's aware that at 81 grandma doesn't have lots of Christmases left.

I think the gov may be reducing isolation time to 7 days so really we only need to isolate for the week up to Xmas day - so no need to take time off school

I wish we could do this. But I'm a teacher.

@Dumpypumpy

I think the gov may be reducing isolation time to 7 days so really we only need to isolate for the week up to Xmas day - so no need to take time off school

I think they're possibly going to reduce to 10 days but my understanding is it's more to do with the amount of non-compliance with the 14 days rather than it being science based.