At what age do you stop taking the kids out of school?

[mickeywho?]

We've taken our kids out with teachers approval (although even her disapproving wouldn't have stopped us) But as they get older we feel we need to weigh the options more and more. Our eldest is a straight A student so catching up on work is not a problem. Would love to hear what responses you've had from your schools when you've pulled the kids out for vacations.

 

[hidmickey:myantidrug]

I don't have kids (I'm a teenager) so I can only go off of what my mom did for me. I've only been taken out for vacation (missing more than one day. One day before a break happened frequently) in 1st gade (missed 3 days), 3rd grade (2-4 days), and freshman year of hs (4 days). She was fine taking me out when I was younger and even freshman year but our next trip is scheduled for next year when I will be a junior which is obviously a very important year for me so our trips are VERY tailored to my break schedule. This may be easier for us since every teacher I've ever had has had no problems giving me hw or missed work and scheduling makeup tests, etc. and the school doesn't make up do anything extra (paperwork, etc.) that I have read that a lot of other people have to do to take their kids out. I'd base it on how well they're doing (which is great that it isn't a problem for ya) and how important that particular year is. Obviously every year is important but some [usually the higher ones (except if you ask my mother 'I'd rather you miss 3 months of your senior year than 4 days in your junior!')], as you know, are more important than others.

 

[erikthewise]

Every year so far. Oldest is now in seventh grade. So far teachers have been very cooperative and understanding. One teacher (actually the best one!) said that SHE takes vacation during the school year and colleagues cover for her, because her husband's work schedule makes it impossible to do otherwise. (My situation is similar.)

Not sure if we can keep it up but we will try. Of course, if they can't go, they will have to stay at a friend's house while we go.

 

[Jaclyn810]

going by my parents: i am in college now but i remember being taken out all ages most teachers are very nice they might give you the work to do i remember doing some on the plane.. eventually my family liked going the end of august so we didnt have to worry about it anymore(although they went this year without me because my classes start today and they are still there) but college is different and id say its ok all the way up until senior year of high school i will definately do that for my kids

 

[weirdpaintballr]

I'm a freshman...We are going in May...for a week. And there could be a possible spur of the moment trip in november, only missing 2 days. (the november trip is at about a -7% chance...lol) We also know the principal of the high school...(he was my parents principal, so he's ok with it.)

 

[stacy6552]

I figure when the trip comes into conflict with the lecture on brain surgery, then we wont let them miss school.

 

[mickeywho?]

I figure when the trip comes into conflict with the lecture on brain surgery, then we wont let them miss school.

Hee hee! Good one!

 

[mickeywho?]

Bumping!

 

[Longsx3]

I voted that we will do it every year, of course that is all dependent on how DD(10) is doing in school. We have pulled her out every year for a few days at a time for different trips. She has been in a DOD schools overseas for the past 3yrs and they are very flexible about trips. Now we just moved to Okinawa and so she will continue to be in DOD schools for 3 more years, with tickets at $1200 a piece to travel home I suspect she will miss some school if we take a trip home.

 

[minkydog]

Up to High School I felt that my kids could recover from a week's absence. My DD13 is in 8th grade this year and the work is getting harder. It takes more for her to stay organized and the teachers are less forgiving about family trips. This will be our last year for taking her out of school, I think. In HS it's just too hard to make up the work(if they'll even take it!) Already been there with one child, now I know the drill.

 

[Evil Queen]

So far, every year, but son is in 5th grade.

The rule at home is, as long as you aren't missing school and your grades stay at A's and B's, he can go-whenever we plan a trip.

If he gets any illnesses or grades get to a C or below, not this time. We just wouldn't go and would try to plan a trip during one of the breaks.

 

[mer1015]

DD12 has never had any problems with making up work. We have pulled her from school for weeks vacation just about every year. We do watch her grades and if an ilness caused a long miss we would chang our trip but so far she only misses what we pull her out for. Teachers have also been very good about this. I have even had teachers tell me they think it is good for kids to travel. Alot of teachers will give an assignment of writing a journel of the trip to keep up with work.

 

[Sunny37]

This is not something we would consider doing...ever.

 

[Microcell]

Due to the feelings of guilt I feel this year, with my third grader, probably 4th grade!

 

[hezreck]

Due to the feelings of guilt I feel this year, with my third grader, probably 4th grade!

Same here. My DD is a third grader and this is our last trip during school time.
I think she will miss too much if we take her out anymore.

 

[Magic2000]

As long as my DD isn't struggling in school, I don't see a problem with her missing a few days of school. We take our big trip in the summer, but we've been taking a quick trip in early Dec (since 2000), just to see the holiday decorations! She usually only misses 2 or 3 days at that time.

My middle daughter missed 2 days of high school for a trip to Disney and was fine. Her grades were great that semester.

As long as it isn't affecting her school work, I'd let my DD miss a few days.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

We have done a week every year since DS12 was in kindergarten.

When he started middle school last year, we already had a trip planned for November.

Going back became very stressful for him. Even though he did fine and it did not impact his grades, his mental health is more important. So my answer was middle school.

We will no longer take him out for week long trips. He will miss 2 days in February, but hopefully will do okay with that.

 

[momto2girls]

I figure when the trip comes into conflict with the lecture on brain surgery, then we wont let them miss school.

 

[WAHMto5]

We believe it depends on the student and how it will affect them. Our children range from ages 17 down to 2 and we have taken them out at any age. If they were struggling at all with school, we would NOT take them out for a family vacation though.

 

[JESW]

Our last year for a week off was when ds was in 4th grade. He was able to take work with him, but he did miss a lot of classroom time and it was tough for him to get back on track. Now he is in 6th grade (youngest in 2nd) and he will miss one day after April vacation due to the fact that I saved us $960 in airfare due to changing our plans by one day.

I was one of those parents who said that I would not let the school dictate when we could take our kids on vacation, but I changed my opinion when I saw how difficult it was for him to get back after missing 3 full days and 2 half days (it was a week when they had parent-teacher conferences so the kids had two half-days).

You need to know your own child and what they can handle - one rule does not aply to all.

Jill