Missing a school zoo trip because of a planned respite break

[IcyPeer]

Hi all

im taking my child out of school for 4 days at end of June for a respite break (due to them having adhd and will help them to enjoy break in less busy crowds)
turns out that at school their year group are going on a school trip to the zoo at the same time when we go on this break. My child knows about the school trip and seems really excited but doesn’t know that they won’t be going yet.

feeling like a horrible parent as it’s their first school trip to the zoo and hate to see them upset about it and for them to miss it. But it’s all been arranged and can’t change the dates and know that they will enjoy this break too just upset that they will miss out.
will my child be okay I know they will be upset but would it affect them majorly long term like socially. Would their friends at school still be friends with my child when they return.

Why would his peers not be friends with him just because he missed a school trip?

Why would missing one trip affect them socially?

Can you take your child to the same zoo on a different day? Or meet the class at the zoo on the day? Or visit a zoo at your holiday location?

It won’t affect the friendships, no.

You know your child best, but if it were my child I would be setting expectations early on, with a frank chat about what’s happening and why (rather than them continuing to build up the expectation they’re going on the school trip). You can be very positive about the respite break, but if your child is upset about the zoo then this allows lots of time to think up solutions/compromises.