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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

Gcse revision booking holiday in May half term

67 replies

freakazoidroid · 05/04/2015 09:39

I am just looking at a disney cruise for 2016. It is in May half term 2016 . My ds will be in yr 11 then and about to do Gcse 's . Would I be stupid to book it for then? The fjord cruise is only running that week , or would it be doable? Or would it be better for him to stay with grandparents?? He isn't that fussed about going - doesn't like sailing ! And just take our 8 yr old??? Any help greatly appreciated! X

OP posts:

Original poster

freakazoidroid · 05/04/2015 11:41

I think I will look for July and august on a different fjord cruise- don't want to screw it up for him ! X

OP posts:

Coconutty · 05/04/2015 11:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheWordFactory · 05/04/2015 11:58

TBH most committed students would say no to holidays in Easter prior to GCSEs let alone half term ( which is bang in the middle).

They want to revise with all their resources to hand. And that's a hell of a lot if books, folders, sets of notes etc. They also need access to the internet.

SuburbanRhonda · 05/04/2015 12:00

OP, of course it's your decision as a family, but FWIW, I think he'd enjoy a summer holiday so much more once his exams are over. Good call.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 05/04/2015 13:26

you know what I would consider op - taking your dd out of school when your ds has finished exams (and the prom is done) and all having a family holiday at a cheaper rate than the summer hols.

TheFirstOfHerName · 05/04/2015 13:48

^^ That is a good plan

Bonsoir · 05/04/2015 17:33

OP - I am on my fourth consecutive year of no proper holidays after February half-term and, TBH, while it is a pain, I truly believe, hand on heart, that our DCs' exam successes are greatly boosted by lots of revision and TLC in the months leading up to high stakes exams. Stay at home and provide 5* treatment for your exam taker. At the very least, your own conscience will be clear forever!

WyfOfBathe · 05/04/2015 21:37

Balletgirl - there is a different between going away in the Easter holidays of year 11 when, yes, revising would be nice but so would having a break. But the May 1/2 term is right in the middle of the exams!!

OP I think that's a good idea. I also doubt that DS would get much out of the holiday anyway, because he would be worried about his exams.

Travelledtheworld · 05/04/2015 22:02

I have a son the same age. If, as you say your DS isn't fussed about going now, he will be less likely to want to go next year when he is a year older and in the middle of revising/ exams.

Leave him at home with grandparents and give him a treat after his exams finish.

TheFairyCaravan · 05/04/2015 22:15

DS2 is in Yr13, he's doing around 6 hours revision a day atm. He won't even go out for the day. He's got 2 days of revision classes at school this week.

DH and I are going away for a week at the end of the month, I feel odd about it, but DS2 insists he will be fine, and will revise.

cluttered · 06/04/2015 01:30

My DS is currently Year 10 and I had thought an Easter holiday next year might not be a good idea but I have promised him a snowboarding holiday in Feb half term, please tell me most schools don't expect DC to attend revision classes in February half term?

DS loves snowboarding but we couldn't really afford to go this year, his school has mocks in January so no real holiday at Xmas so I thought February would be fine, a good break after mocks. I was planning to book soon, maybe I should ask the school first?

TheWordFactory · 06/04/2015 08:13

cluttered I have two year 11s.

DD had a ton of homeowrk during February half term, but DS was relatively clear (different schools).

bigTillyMint · 06/04/2015 08:29

cluttered, I think that will be fine - DD had mocks the week before Feb half-term, so it was perfect going skiing the week after as she needed a complete break.

Maybe double check with the school to be sure?

SanityClause · 06/04/2015 08:30

cluttered, DD1 is in Yr11 this year.

I started a thread about whether skiing in February half term would be okay, last year, and the general consensus was that February is fine, but Easter could be problematic.

Now we are in the midst of revision. We did go away in February. And she took books with her, but TBH, I don't think she did all that much work.

But this Easter, she has done loads, even staying at home when the rest of us have gone out for day trips. (Although balletmum will be pleased to note she did come to the theatre with us on Saturday, and a nice long walk, Easter egg hunt, etc, yesterday.)

There is always revision to be done, but I don't think it really ramps up until now.

But, OP, I really think May is just a no-no. Seriously, these GCSEs do take over your life (and I'm sure A levels will, too). But, it's part of what you take on as a parent, really.

Ilovefluffysheep · 06/04/2015 16:00

We booked that exact cruise last night! However, DD will be year 12 (and going to college to do a Btec so no exams) and DS year 13 (also doing btec so no exams).

I've not read all the thread - have you done a Disney cruise before? I only ask as we have done 4, and I don't see my kids, as they are in Vibe (teen club) all the time, and often don't get in until around 2am. There is no way DS would have been able to revise last year with all that going on.

We are going away this May half term, but to a cottage in the Lake District. DD will be able to revise properly for the exams she has left (a lot finish before half term so she only has 3 subjects left after) and DS will take his bike and go off and explore, whilst I spend time in the hot tub!

Ignore anyone who wonders what you are doing on a Disney Cruise with kids that age - unless you've been on one its hard to explain how fab they are. You don't actually need to be a hardcore disney fan at all to enjoy it, and I know lots of adults that cruise DCL without kids (I would too apart from kids have told me I am banned from ever going on one without them!).

bigbluebus · 06/04/2015 17:38

We took DS for a 4 day European City break in May 1/2 term last year when he was half way through his AS exams. I'm afraid that despite taking his revision guides away with him and being given adequate time to revise, he did very little. His AS results reflected that and he is now busy revising for both A2 exams and AS resits.

We are going away for a weekend in May and he will not be coming with us. We just hope that he will have the common sense to revise whilst we are away and not take the opportunity to play games/facebook/sleep all day as he will be unsupervised. Thankfully he is unlikely to organise a party she says hopefully

I think teens need the support of their parents at this time so even if your DS could stay with his GPs whilst you went away, I don't think it would be entirely fair on him.

cluttered · 06/04/2015 21:08

Thanks TheWord bigTilly and Sanity hopefully I will be OK to go away Feb then. For the last 2 years before this year we have gone skiing/snowboarding at Easter and then this year we just couldn't afford it, DS was really upset so I promised him we would definitely go next year. I thought I was being really organised to think that Feb would be better than Easter because of GCSE revision!

DS was told at school before last Christmas, enjoy it this year because next year you will be revising too hard for the mocks to enjoy it so Feb must surely be OK. I will peruse the Year 11 parent letters on the school website and see if there is any guidance about when to take holidays in Year 11!

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