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Original poster

I lied to school about children sickness and went on holiday

407 replies

kgabe · 31/10/2022 11:43

So before anyone decides to go hard on me, I have never ever lied about kids sickness before. I don't know why I did it this time, I guess money is tight, we worked hard to be able to afford the holiday, but still could not afford the holiday in half term, so we decided to take kids out of school for 3 days. I reported my children to have sickness. And off we went.
But unsure why, probably based on their hunch, school called me the next day. I did not answer, just sent them a message instead. But they replied they got an international ringing tone....ooops... i did not even reply to that. When we got back I got a letter suggesting I lied, that kids were on holiday instead of home poorly, etc. I don't know what to do, I hate lying and I regret not telling the truth, but has it gone too far now to just admit I lied? I can also expect the fine for my children, well tough I suppose. But I feel like a criminal, like I did something unspeakable. But I only allowed for my family to have a wonderful time together, we has such a great time, it is really priceless. My kids are both doing great academically and their abscence was above 95%. What is everyone's take on it? Should I own up now? Or deny it still.... And are they allowed to question my children without my permission about it?
Thank you

OP posts:
pompomdaisy · 31/10/2022 15:36

Thank you for your confession my child 🙏

Razzle5 · 31/10/2022 15:36

HaggisBurger · 31/10/2022 15:28

“these kind of people” 😂😂

Show quote history

Yep

those that shriek “fuck em”

and then meekly fib to the school about illness or another such lie.

antelopevalley · 31/10/2022 15:36

@razz But people lie so they do not have to pay the fine. I would too, however obvious the lie is. Why should I pay a fine?

Razzle5 · 31/10/2022 15:37

antelopevalley · 31/10/2022 15:26

@Razzle5 Because they fine you. I would lie and lie even when it is obvious to teachers I am lying. I would not care.
All these middle-class mums' pearl-clutching about what will the teacher think makes me laugh. Who cares? It is none of their business.

Not for 3 days.

5 days? Possibly. But then 5 days isn’t what we’re talking about here

BleuNoir · 31/10/2022 15:40

Razzle5 · 31/10/2022 15:34

So many posters saying “fuck em”

but the response seems to meekly lie about illness.

Fuck ‘em, got for it

but at least have that same approach to how you deal with it, namely like an adult. Honest, upfront, accepting of consequence and that won’t be authorised, apologising for any inconvenience…. And then, enjoying your holiday

It's because it's a silly rule.

Why can't the UK be like France where they stagger the half-terms in stages, A, B and C for different regions.

Holidays are really really important for so many reasons for families.

And yet they are prohibitively high for most families to afford anything decent. It's like they have us over a barrel. And then school policing the whole thing?

You couldn't make it up.

The government should allow all families 5 days grace per year when they can take their children out of school to go on holiday within a set time-frame. So all of October is available for those 5 days. Or all of June. Who cares which month it is, it doesn't matter - but people need to get away and be able to get away without the horror of being shamed.

Razzle5 · 31/10/2022 15:40

antelopevalley · 31/10/2022 15:36

@razz But people lie so they do not have to pay the fine. I would too, however obvious the lie is. Why should I pay a fine?

Is there really such a huge difference in holiday costs between 4 days before term ends and 5 days?

Razzle5 · 31/10/2022 15:41

I took mine out day before (I didn’t lie 😂)

and it was a substantial saving. But the days before then… pretty meagre extra savings compared with what I was saving, and negligible between day 4 and 5

HelenWick · 31/10/2022 15:42

Next time tell everyone you are going away FOR half term then call and say the flights have been delayed/cancelled etc on the first day back. Works every time. 🙃

LaGioconda · 31/10/2022 15:51

All you can do is put your hands up, explain it was a stupid impulse and why you did it, assure them it will never happen again, and hope they're not too tough on you.

TheyWentToSeaInASieve · 31/10/2022 15:52

Good god, don't let them bully your like this. You already pay for their education through taxes and shouldn't have to pay more. How much would have they learnt in three days? Just make sure you cover whatever ground they covered in that time, though I appreciate most schools don't tend to divulge that for some reason -- just in case you get involved in your kids' education! Good luck!

Abovethecloud · 31/10/2022 15:59

just out of interest where are people getting the information from that schools don't fine you unless you miss 10 sessions?
I took my child out for 4 days (8 sessions) and still received the fine. I was under the impression it was down to the headteacher of your child's school if they decide to send it to the council to fine you?

Maytodecember · 31/10/2022 16:02

girlmom21 · 31/10/2022 11:51

Tell them you were away with work and they were home with their dad. You've already lied so may as well commit to it.

I’d do this.
Schools in this country bewilder me with their overbearing attitudes, regulation hairstyles and uniform. They don’t own your children, hope you all had a brilliant holiday.

IhearyouClemFandango · 31/10/2022 16:04

Abovethecloud · 31/10/2022 15:59

just out of interest where are people getting the information from that schools don't fine you unless you miss 10 sessions?
I took my child out for 4 days (8 sessions) and still received the fine. I was under the impression it was down to the headteacher of your child's school if they decide to send it to the council to fine you?

Because the regs say 10 sessions. Your kids must have missed another two sessions at some point in the same academic year, or have had another holiday unauthorised in either the current or preceding year.

Macaroni1924 · 31/10/2022 16:13

I can assure you the office staff and anyone else concerned will not be bothered they missed school. I can imagine conversations to be like: omg it’s obvious she was on holiday why bother lying. Followed by eye rolls and giggles. Probably find it quite amusing. You didn’t do anything wrong except lie which is easy to fix. I’d just apologise and explain that you were concerned about getting into bother for having the kids off, I’m sure they will understand.

blueshoes · 31/10/2022 16:14

OP you are only acknowledging the posts who basically told you it is ok to lie. Why are you even on here at all if all you want is an echo chamber.

You reap what you sow.

balalake · 31/10/2022 16:14

I don't agree with what you did. Time off is something everyone should have, not necessarily time away.

I agree with those who say that school half terms should be staggered, indeed some of the summer holidays as well.

LondonLovie · 31/10/2022 16:16

I've got myself in shit for lying, not this but similar and then the dread when it goes tits up, is a nightmare!

But whenever I feel utterly shit or get the fear over something, I remind myself we'll all be dead one day.

I'd probably ride it out, bury my head and hope it passes. I'd go with the I was abroad line too.. you were!! It's just you had your 3 kids with you.

Ps sounds like you had a bloody good time. You'll laugh about this one day Wink

drpet49 · 31/10/2022 16:20

JustMaggie · 31/10/2022 11:54

I have never heard of an "international ringing tone". I think they're bluffing and I wouldn't admit to it if it were me.

Really? Because there is one. It sounds far different to when you are ringing someone in this country.

ldontWanna · 31/10/2022 16:20

Meh, what's done is done. You won't be the first or last , to go on holiday in term time or lie about it. Yeah it's not great and odds are the kids will drop you in it anyways , but it happens.

Next time just be upfront. They can't stop you. It's very unlikely that you'd be fined for just 3 days. Normally if it does happen it's 5 days/10 sessions.Even if you do, plan it in the cost of the holiday and it's still cheaper. Then no guilt or worry and the kids can talk all they want. Grin

Goldencarp · 31/10/2022 16:22

Just because you were away, doesn’t mean the kids were.

drpet49 · 31/10/2022 16:22

Razzle5 · 31/10/2022 15:12

On the basis of your somewhat dramatic woe me Op

i would hazard a guess that you most certainly aren’t immune to fibbing and exaggerating

and why you feel “guilty” now, is because you got caught. I wouldn’t feel guilty in your shoes, I’d feel embarrassed I had womaned the hell up, and said you know it will be unauthorised and your apologies for putting them in this position but due to prohibitive costs, the children won’t be in on last three days of school.

i wonder how these kind of people get on at work!

This. OP is pretty dim to think the school would believe it in the first place.

Razzle5 · 31/10/2022 16:23

balalake · 31/10/2022 16:14

I don't agree with what you did. Time off is something everyone should have, not necessarily time away.

I agree with those who say that school half terms should be staggered, indeed some of the summer holidays as well.

Staggered?

bit what about siblings at different schools? The logistics!

antelopevalley · 31/10/2022 16:28

The school do not have to believe it, up to them. They are not the police.

Wereongunoil · 31/10/2022 16:35

kgabe · 31/10/2022 12:10

They asked us to fill in a holiday form for the 3 days when the kids were absent

Fill in the form

The absence will then be unauthorised holiday rather than unauthorised absence

Big difference when it comes to fines/prosecution

HideTheCroissants · 31/10/2022 16:35

JustMaggie · 31/10/2022 11:54

I have never heard of an "international ringing tone". I think they're bluffing and I wouldn't admit to it if it were me.

It’s real! The “ring” the caller hears when dialling a phone that is overseas is different to the one when the phone us in the U.K. At my school we only ring a parent if they haven’t contacted us by 9:30 so it’s better to beat us to it if you have gone abroad. Of course if you’re in Devon then the ring tone is no different so although we will “know” because it is very rare for all siblings to be ill starting and finishing at the same time, we won’t have any evidence - until the child comes in and tells teacher all about their fabulous holiday.