Accidentally booked holiday for A level results day 2026. DD mad at me!

[Onecrazymama]

My DD is sitting her A levels next year in 2026 and then planning a gap year. She isn't even sure about going to University at all and despite being predicted all A's for her her subjects she isn't planning to apply to a university for 2026. She may apply for a 2027 place though once she realises what hard work getting a real job is 🤦🏻‍♀️.

So I went ahead and booked a package holiday for August 2026 to Spain for her, my husband and other child. Then about a week after I'd booked I realised it would mean we are away for her A level results day 🤦🏻‍♀️. We'll be back 5 days later, she can get a friend to collect them for her and obviously as she's not planning to go to uni I thought she'd be absolutely fine about this.

However, she has caused an huge fuss and wants me to change it! I've looked into moving it until after results day but it is going to cost £320 extra. We really can't afford that and the holiday itself is already alot more than we would usually spend and it's going to push our finances as it is. We booked the holiday as treat for her to be away for her birthday, celebrate finishing school etc and now I feel terrible. I don't know what to do for the best! Right now I feel like cancelling it completely 😞. She's being horrible to me, telling me she won't come on holiday and saying I'm being selfish. My husband says he doesn't want to discuss it! As far as he's concerned we aren't changing the date as it isn't actually important or necessary for her to collect her results in person as she isn't going to uni. Does anyone have any advice or just something to make me feel better 😞

Surely she can see them online?

If she's being predicted all As she is obviously a good candidate for university study. Are you not fussed about her going yourself?

Don’t want to stick the boot in, but for lots of kids this is a really important day, and yours is saying it’s important to HER.

I’d find a way of changing it and sucking up the price, I’m afraid. It’s about a pound a day until next summer.

Don't they text results anyway?

I would certainly be somewhere with excellent online connection and phone lines - Clearing might be needed; booking accommodation quickly etc.

Can you rearrange the holiday?

Neither of my dds were fussed about getting results in person, both were happy to be on holidays for gcse and a-levels but in the event covid stopped a few and we’ve been here for the others.
Both just checked their emails in a matter of seconds and were done.
Sure some choose to go and collect results together and make a big deal of it - sounds like that’s what your dd would have preferred.
Well if she doesn’t want to come on the holiday she can stay at home!

I’m sorry but I’d change it. It is an important day.

Err DD got her results this week, they come in online. Often before a lot of colleges or schools are open on the day. She didn't go into college on the day either as most of her friends were either away or busy so weren't going in either.

You really don't need to be physically present anymore on results day. DD did all her uni stuff online since as well, has been bo need to contact anyone.

Change it. It’s a year away so is £320 worth her missing the day for. I remember the fun of my results day. Opening results with our friends then out to celebrate. It’s a big thing even if she isn’t planning to go to uni. She might well change her mind over the next 12 months then she’ll really need to be home that week.

Pay the £320. You messed up

Can't believe you didn't think it mattered enough to check first.

Is it not online in this day and age?

Really tricky one. I have some lovely memories of A Level results day celebrating with my friends. She may change her mind about applying for universities by the January UCAS deadline. On the other hand there’s usually a way of getting the results remotely.

Just because she’s not planning to go to university, why on earth did you think she’s not interested in the results? She’s presumably worked so hard for these and results day is a huge deal.

i’m not surprised she’s making a fuss. She’ll be 18 by then, old enough to be consulted about her holiday plans. You’ve taken that from her and booked the trip to clash with a very key date which she might want to mark with her friends, or reconsider her choice for a gap year or see what her options are.

A lot can change in a year. She may change her mind about the gap year. You’ve made her options harder.

I’d change the date. It clearly means a lot to her and she could change her mind about uni in the next year.

I’m sorry, I’d suck this one up and change it. Of course she could see the results online, but if she wants to be here, I think it’s fair - it’s a really big deal. If you’d talked it through together and decided to go away at that time, then it would be fine, but as it is, it’s not. Painful but see if you can find an extra bit of work or something to chip away at the extra cost.

I didn’t collect my results from school (24 years ago) as I was working a summer job in an office with my mum.
two days later when the post came through my grandma rang me at work and read my results out to me. Was thrilled with my results, as was my mum and her colleagues.
I’ll admit though I did feel I missed out collecting them on the day with my friends.

Personally, I’d suck up the £300 and change the date. Sorry.

Change it. You fucked up, not her. She may well change her mind about uni - she could even want to go via clearing on results day. Which she wouldn’t easily be able to do on holiday.

If she doesn’t come with you then the point of being away for her birthday goes, and if she does come she’ll be like a bear with a sore head waiting for results.

While some kids are happy to just get their results online, she’s telling you she’s not. So options, move the holiday to the week later for £320, or she doesn’t go, or you make her go and ruin this for her.

can you cancel completely and then book something on a different week, even if it’s a completely different holiday.

You’ve booked a holiday when your dd isn’t available.

You need to change it. This is important to her, going to university or not is irrelevant.

She might be able to get the results emailed, but going to school and seeing your friends, going out afterwards etc is a big part of it.

Sort out the house, get selling stuff on Vinted or marketplace etc to cover the shortfall.

She doesn't want to go to university until the following year and isn't fussed about applying. I would obviously prefer to get the results in person 😕

I would change it. £320 is £30/month between now and then - go halves with your dd?

Also have I got this right - you also booked the holiday to mean she’s away over her 18th birthday, without checking if she wants to go on holiday for her 18th or would rather have a party /celebration with friends? 18ths are a big deal as well.

Change it. You have a year to save £320.

No unfortunately her school only do it in person 😕