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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Residential school trip - do people write to their children?

50 replies

ReallyIsThisAThing · 15/05/2019 17:48

Just as the title says - if your child is on a residential trip, would you send them a card or letter? TIA

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

flissfloss65 · 15/05/2019 18:13

I just put a postcard in ds bag saying have a great time.

Original poster

ReallyIsThisAThing · 15/05/2019 18:14

Just wondered if it was a new thing - seems not. Never happened when I was at school

OP posts:

JustLooking2019 · 15/05/2019 18:14

When my kids went on a mon-fri residential, the school asked us to write a letter for them to take with them and hand out to the kids on the Wednesday. Cute idea I guess but I had no idea what to write other than I hope you’re having a nice time and behaving yourself!!

IronManisnotDead · 15/05/2019 18:38

Unless he is going to space why would you even consider it?

viques · 15/05/2019 18:44

Please don't, if children haven't been away before, aand a lot haven't then things can be a bit knife edgy emotionally, all the kids the kids are happy, engaged, active, busy, having a great time, then someone gets a wobble and before you know it there are sniffles and tears. Doesn't last long, sometimes they just have to get it out of their systems, but it is often things like a letter, someone getting one, or someone not getting one that sets it all off.

One year it was the campfire and marshmallows, perfectly fine the year before , but oh boy, did it get the tears flowing the next! It was a long evening, but all good the next morning.

Ilovewillow · 16/05/2019 13:15

my daugher did a 4 day at the beginning of Y6 and we were encouraged by the school to enclose letters/notes from them. We did a card for each day she was there (I think she appreciated them)!

TheNumberfaker · 16/05/2019 17:34

Unless it’s their birthday, no.

JeanMichelBisquiat · 16/05/2019 17:52

God no - much easier for them to focus on having fun and holding any wobbles together if they can keep things separate.

Charleymouse · 16/05/2019 17:58

No not a letter, however I always add a note/s to packed lunches on day trips and residentials

Usually a "goodnight, sleep tight" one in their pjs, a "don't forget to brush your teeth" in theirs spongebag.

A more general "have a nice time" one based on whatever they are doing. I did a golden ticket one when they went to Cadbury World.

I once forgot to add one to a lunchbox and DD was most disgruntled.

These are more post-it size and not personalised to much so if mislaid they are not recognisable as belonging to my DC then they are not embarrassing.

MrsMigginsLovelyBaps · 16/05/2019 18:02

I was wondering the exact same thing today OP when DS's school sent out an email about next week's residential trip, saying they would hand out letters if we wish to write them.

They'll be writing a postcard to us, but I don't think I'll bother, though I hope he won't be disappointed if everyone else gets one!

HomeMadeMadness · 16/05/2019 19:12

I'm not sure why people think this is so crazy. When I went on a residential trip in Y6 everyone except one child got a letter and she really upset about it. If it's not the done thing any more I wouldn't do it as the only one though.

shatteredandstressed · 16/05/2019 19:39

I'm in my 50s & still remember fondly the letter I got from home when I was 9, away for a week on a school trip.
Didn't upset me- I liked it 😀

ShaggyRug · 16/05/2019 19:45

Hell no. Kid would be mortified.

titsmcgee · 16/05/2019 19:58

Well, back in ye olden days (early 90s, last year at primary school) my whole year group went on UK school trip. Felt like a massive adventure. We were probably away for a week, but I don't recall... anyway, one of my fondest memories are the couple of letters my parents sent me. Everyone's mum and dad did. For most, it was their first time away from home, and obviously pre mobile phone era, so zero parental contact otherwise. Was nice to get a letter over breakfast and a little taste of home. On my trip, you were odd one out if you didn't get letter, and lead teacher on trip would write non-letter kids a little note so they didn't feel left out. But times have changed. So I'd say it depends on: age of child; length of trip; rules around mobile phone use; whether the school shares address of residence and encourages letter writing.

TheRollingCrone · 16/05/2019 20:02

My dd went on residential in October - the list said 'don't forget a water bottle' - I packed a hot water bottle

Hmmmm2018 · 16/05/2019 20:17

I would generally say it is best not to, as others said reminders of home may make them feel more homesick, but... annoyingly on the list of things it recommended for the school residential was letters popped in the suitcase. Dd saw this and instructed that there would be one per day per parent! Hence a mad night of writing letters before the departure. Dd when home said she found my letters really helpful.

Lara53 · 16/05/2019 21:17

How bizarre! Absolutely not.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 16/05/2019 21:23

I used to put a couple of notes/cards tucked in DD's case.

In her washbag, shoe, tucked in pjs etc which she loved-

Reminded her to not spend one second of her precious trip missing home-home was waiting for her return.

She really took that on board and used to say it back to me to reassure herself.

Do whatever will be right for your DC but suspect posting letters probably out-dated?

bombaychef · 16/05/2019 23:53

Uuuurrggh no. Mine at 7 and 9 have done a few with school and beavers / cubs. Never crossed my mind

redstapler · 17/05/2019 05:41

@moreismore teachera at my daughter's school specifically asked us not to do this as kids get homesick when they find the note.

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 17/05/2019 06:04

What a fantastic idea, would totally mortify and embarrass my dd 😁😁. I will stick to just a few text messages though.

SleepingSloth · 17/05/2019 06:13

What age?

My son went on residential in year 6, he would have been completely embarrassed if we would have sent him letters. The school didn't allow phones either so no contact for 5 days. The school sent a group text each day with an update.

iamthere123 · 17/05/2019 06:25

My first ever residential when u was just 7 with the brownies was a three night sleepover at the local church and my mum did send me a letter from the cat while I was there. I still have it, it was really cute. I think they were encouraged though because all the ‘little ones’ got a letter on the second morning - but mine was The only one from a cat!!

BallyHockeySticks · 18/05/2019 00:35

We sneaked a note into their bags. Glad we did as when DD went on her Y6 residential, she left us all little notes to find round the house.

She also wanted to take a selfie printed out with us all in. Mainly for a pic of our cat, I suspect.

funmummy48 · 19/05/2019 10:43

Yes. All my children received letters from home on 5 day residentials. School asked all parents to send them and all of the children bought a postcard to send home. Letter writing is a dying art and the children were all thrilled to receive them. It's a fab idea.

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