Don't care if it makes me a bad parent!

[Kristine316]

I take my kids out of school for vacations... so I definitely won't be a hypocrite and judge anyone else who does it.

We do have them in a private school, where I volunteer, so I have a good relationship with their teachers and talk to them on a daily basis. Their teachers knew we were going on a vacation and they did their work before we left and no one at the school had any issue with it whatsoever.

Family time is invaluable but, let's be totally honest here.. parents take out their kids in the off season because it makes for a more enjoyable vacation. Most of us can go in the summer, on spring breaks or at Christmas so the kids won't miss any school but, Disney is difficult to navigate during those times so, we choose to go during the slower seasons, even if it means our kids miss school.

In a way it is a selfish decision... and I am just as guilty of this so, don't think I am pointing a finger and judging.. I just feel I am being honest.

Most of us go during the school year because Disney is much better when there aren't tons of crowds around and the prices are lower. I don't think there is anything wrong with that but, we should call a spade, a spade.. we do this to make it better for us.

I know for many of us our kids do fine when they miss and its no harm no foul and totally worth it but, not every kid is going to do well missing school.. and I doubt every parent who takes their kids out of school for a Disney trip has kids who can handle it well. Yes, a parent does know their own children but, I wonder if there are times a parent lives in denial about it because they don't want to see the reality of the situation?

I only say this because I have a cousin who is a teacher and she has a big issue with kids missing large chunks of school. I have heard her go on rants about this as she says she has seen how difficult it is for some children to make up all the work they miss. Of course many children do well but, she swears that more kids struggle than do well after missing school time.. she was so passionate about it she convinced me this is the case.
She actually had me feeling guilty about it. (Just for a frame of reference, she is a middle school Science teacher).

Our last trip in September 2012 was filled with kids... every where. I was actually pretty stunned at how many kids were pulled out of school. I am not so sure every one of those kids handled missing school extremely well... the sheer numbers made it so it would be highly likely that at least some of those kids struggled in at least some way with missing school for their family vacation.

I guess I am just bringing a different side to the discussion... and honestly am not sure what is the right answer but, I do know this... I will take my kids out again at some point for a Disney vacation.. I admit it.

 

[Tigger's ally]

around our house, Both God and Family are higher on the totem pole. Any and all time spent with both beats a week at school anyways. Our local high school believes the same way thank goodness. They totally understand that family time is indeed important and works with parents to make sure homework and tests are done before we leave. However, we chose to raise our kids in a small rural town for just reasons like that. Communication, responsibility and working together are also important lessons that we can teach our kids when we do this. They have learned those lessons.

 

[mumto4girls]

I feel like you have to do what's best for your family. My husband can't get time off during school vacations so we choose to take our 2 girls out. Not that I want to go at peak season. They will be missing 2 weeks right before February vacation! Even though I'm not completely thrilled we know they'll only be little once and that as they get older it might not be possible.

 

[Tramp68]

As a teacher, I am totally OK with kids missing school for a family vacation, HOWEVER....do not expect me to do extra work so you can save some money. I work hard enough and when I choose to go I MUST go during school vacations. I would never take that amount of time off as it would affect 100+ students. I get stuck paying the higher prices and dealing with the bigger crowds. Again, I say good for you. Enjoy the trip! But ask a friend to take notes for you and make up the missed work when you return...And PLEASE DO NOT tell me that you "weren't here for that" when there is a test a week after you return. You are responsible for any and all teaching that takes place while you are gone!

 

[bwifan]

In my post, I said the parent knew best. I know my parents did not ever pull us out of school for a trip anywhere. Instead they saved for 6 years and we went the day after school was out. (I went when I was 6,12,18 etc.)

In my school, every course was an AP level course. It is actually possible to get a 4 year college education from U of Penn as well as your high school diploma. (I am not streching the facts at all.) Every student who graduated in the top 10% would have been the valedictorian at their own local high school. The school I attended requires taking an aptitude test and scoring within the top % in order to gain a spot in the freshman class. A week of school there is like a month in a normal school.

I just wanted to talk about the other side of this, and play devil's advocate. I just know that my parents placed a emphasis on education for both my brother and I, and we have both done well for ourselves, and this was not because we had any advantages growing up. We both worked very hard.

Basically, if I could pull kids out of school for a week and this would not make an impact with their grades/schoolwork...then they are not being challenged enough.

I will never take mine out. We go once school is over.

 

[smorkovsky]

I take my kids out of school for vacations... so I definitely won't be a hypocrite and judge anyone else who does it.

We do have them in a private school, where I volunteer, so I have a good relationship with their teachers and talk to them on a daily basis. Their teachers knew we were going on a vacation and they did their work before we left and no one at the school had any issue with it whatsoever.

Family time is invaluable but, let's be totally honest here.. parents take out their kids in the off season because it makes for a more enjoyable vacation. Most of us can go in the summer, on spring breaks or at Christmas so the kids won't miss any school but, Disney is difficult to navigate during those times so, we choose to go during the slower seasons, even if it means our kids miss school.

In a way it is a selfish decision... and I am just as guilty of this so, don't think I am pointing a finger and judging.. I just feel I am being honest.

Most of us go during the school year because Disney is much better when there aren't tons of crowds around and the prices are lower. I don't think there is anything wrong with that but, we should call a spade, a spade.. we do this to make it better for us.

I know for many of us our kids do fine when they miss and its no harm no foul and totally worth it but, not every kid is going to do well missing school.. and I doubt every parent who takes their kids out of school for a Disney trip has kids who can handle it well. Yes, a parent does know their own children but, I wonder if there are times a parent lives in denial about it because they don't want to see the reality of the situation?

I only say this because I have a cousin who is a teacher and she has a big issue with kids missing large chunks of school. I have heard her go on rants about this as she says she has seen how difficult it is for some children to make up all the work they miss. Of course many children do well but, she swears that more kids struggle than do well after missing school time.. she was so passionate about it she convinced me this is the case.
She actually had me feeling guilty about it. (Just for a frame of reference, she is a middle school Science teacher).

Our last trip in September 2012 was filled with kids... every where. I was actually pretty stunned at how many kids were pulled out of school. I am not so sure every one of those kids handled missing school extremely well... the sheer numbers made it so it would be highly likely that at least some of those kids struggled in at least some way with missing school for their family vacation.

I guess I am just bringing a different side to the discussion... and honestly am not sure what is the right answer but, I do know this... I will take my kids out again at some point for a Disney vacation.. I admit it.

Oh I agree 100%. I'm doing it for me, sure. Because we can't afford it during peak seasons when school is out, and because I don't want to navigate that place and massive crowds. It just wouldn't be any fun at all. And if I'm not having fun, if I have a terrible attitude because I'm spending a fortune to stand in lines and fight crowds (DH too), the kids won't have fun. So, yeah, it is selfish, but who is going to be the one who REALLY suffers because the kids have to do make-up work? Me, duh The never ending nagging, cajoling, coddling, and complaining that will take place in order to ensure the work gets done, properly. That's on me too.

Eh, they are in elementary, and this will be my oldest kid's last year in elementary, which is why we are going that year and not waiting for our youngest to be a bit older. I don't feel like I can justify the missing school passed elementary myself. Kudos to those who can. Guilt just eats me up too much....perhaps the strict district policies are more effective than I imagine!!

 

[stargazertechie]

This is the part I love.

The teachers should do extra work so you can go on vacation?

I have several friends who are teachers. They smile nicely at the parents and explain that it's the kids job to find out what happened and make it up, not the teachers job to put together "packets' so they can be taught by their parents.

They have no problem with you going but... they aren't doing special lesson plans, etc..

When my parents pulled me (just about every year in elementary) the teachers had no problems saying "We will probably be covering X, Y, and Z chapters in Workbooks 1, 2 and 3" based on where they were at in their lesson plans the week before the trip.

Mom would always make me do one additional chapter in the workbooks beyond where my teacher thought they would be upon my return.

No extra work for the teacher, no additional work to make up when I returned.

It actually became easier when I was diverted into the gifted/talented program- since there were only 10 of us, the GT teacher had no problem putting together a packet of work, as well as a request for an additional project based on what I learned.

 

[Srbright]

I'm taking my 3rd and 5th graders out of school for an entire week for a WDW trip! And while the school district may frown upon this, and take me to truancy court (because I will NOT lie about why I'm taking them out of school) some things are more important than school. And this will likely be a trip of a lifetime for my kids, so truancy court be damned! We can't afford peak season, and even if we could, there's no way massive crowds will make a trip anything but hell for us. We HATE crowds. HATE.THEM.

Flame away.

No flames. We are are doing the same with a 4th and 2nd grader.

Stacy

 

[juliebug1997]

When my parents pulled me (just about every year in elementary) the teachers had no problems saying "We will probably be covering X, Y, and Z chapters in Workbooks 1, 2 and 3" based on where they were at in their lesson plans the week before the trip.

Mom would always make me do one additional chapter in the workbooks beyond where my teacher thought they would be upon my return.

No extra work for the teacher, no additional work to make up when I returned.

It actually became easier when I was diverted into the gifted/talented program- since there were only 10 of us, the GT teacher had no problem putting together a packet of work, as well as a request for an additional project based on what I learned.

It is a little different now. We are being encouraged to not use textbooks as our main way of teaching. No worksheets either, so that means that kids are missing discussions and class projects.

 

[ConnieB]

As a teacher, I am totally OK with kids missing school for a family vacation, HOWEVER....do not expect me to do extra work so you can save some money. I work hard enough and when I choose to go I MUST go during school vacations. I would never take that amount of time off as it would affect 100+ students. I get stuck paying the higher prices and dealing with the bigger crowds. Again, I say good for you. Enjoy the trip! But ask a friend to take notes for you and make up the missed work when you return...And PLEASE DO NOT tell me that you "weren't here for that" when there is a test a week after you return. You are responsible for any and all teaching that takes place while you are gone!

As it should be! BUT....sounds like some schools the teachers are not allowed to give the kids the work they'll miss.....so how can those teachers expect the kids to know the material? I wonder if they would punish the kids with not giving them the work if the kid was ill for a week or two (I missed almost a month of school in 7th grade due to emergency surgery and recovery time.....I had a pile of work delivered by a friend every day after school and they took the work I'd finished back....and this was in the late 70's...yes, we had paper back then!).

 

[Aliceacc]

As it should be! BUT....sounds like some schools the teachers are not allowed to give the kids the work they'll miss.....so how can those teachers expect the kids to know the material? I wonder if they would punish the kids with not giving them the work if the kid was ill for a week or two (I missed almost a month of school in 7th grade due to emergency surgery and recovery time.....I had a pile of work delivered by a friend every day after school and they took the work I'd finished back....and this was in the late 70's...yes, we had paper back then!).

If you're out sick for an extended period because of illness, the district will arrange for a home tutor.

 

[smorkovsky]

I would absolutely never take my kids to Disney if it meant we had to go in July. We just wouldn't go, period. Which is why I've never been. My mom would have never taken me out of school for that length of time, period. And couldn't have afforded or been willing to take a trip during peak seasons. Thus, I've never been. I just don't want my kids to miss it because of something like a week of elementary school!! When I weigh lifetime memories against a week of 5th grade, the memories win, hands down!!!

 

[andyman8]

While I wouldn't pull our two high school teenagers out of school for a trip to Disney personally, I'm not going to judge or criticize other parents for doing it, for each parent is entitled (dare I even use that word). Then again, we live in Fl, so a trip to Disney in September can be a weekend; it might be different if we were planning our "one and only" trip.

That all said, if your district is threatening truancy, then you cannot simply have the attitude of "well, I'm doing it anyway", as that kind of stuff can stay with your children for years, which is why you just can't ignore it (what if they aren't "kidding"?). Take it up with the school principle.

 

[poisonapple]

I cannot believe that there are eight pages of people supporting the poster for not only taking his kids out of school but possibly risking legal action for doing so. Really! The rules exist for a reason-- to prevent totally unnecessary trips during the school year, to keep your kid in school learning. You really are a bad parent for choosing to do otherwise.

You realize that you can have family time a home during the school year. Go to the local zoo, take a weekend trip. Whatever. But you don't NEED to go to Disney World for a week during the school year. Your kids should only miss school when they are sick or if there is a family emergency. They have fourteen weeks or more of school vacation a year. Take your vacations then. Come up with all of the excuses why you can't do this. All they are is bad excuses.

It makes me sick how many people on these boards have their priorities totally messed up. I keep reading so that I can laugh at how ridiculous you are justifying these horrible parenting decisions.

 

[Tigger's ally]

In my post, I said the parent knew best. I know my parents did not ever pull us out of school for a trip anywhere. Instead they saved for 6 years and we went the day after school was out. (I went when I was 6,12,18 etc.)

In my school, every course was an AP level course. It is actually possible to get a 4 year college education from U of Penn as well as your high school diploma. (I am not streching the facts at all.) Every student who graduated in the top 10% would have been the valedictorian at their own local high school. The school I attended requires taking an aptitude test and scoring within the top % in order to gain a spot in the freshman class. A week of school there is like a month in a normal school.

I just wanted to talk about the other side of this, and play devil's advocate. I just know that my parents placed a emphasis on education for both my brother and I, and we have both done well for ourselves, and this was not because we had any advantages growing up. We both worked very hard.

Basically, if I could pull kids out of school for a week and this would not make an impact with their grades/schoolwork...then they are not being challenged enough.

I understand your point of view, and I like that your parents placed an emphasis on education. However, you cannot assume that those of us that take our kids out don't. My daughter was taken our for one week every year. She graduated from a private university with honors. My sons just completed their second year in college both on the deans list for the fourth semester of their college lives all while playing baseball. As far as being challenged, if I didn't think they were being challenged enough, then I would bring that up with the educators or take on the responsibility myself.

Here's my deal. In twenty years, will they remember staying in school during that week or will they remember a mother and father that felt the family vacation was important enough to pull them out of school. Will they remember the teachings that they got while away?

There is no right and wrong answer here. If you feel it is important enough, and that your kids are good enough students to do it then the school shouldn't stand in your way. I think the schools need to work with parents here. Parents need to make wise decisions. I also think that schools are being forced to make some parental decisions due to the fact that many parents are absentee parents but that is a different thread all together. Don't punish those of us that are raising our kids well just because we want to take them on vacation.

 

[andyman8]

I cannot believe that there are eight pages of people supporting the poster for not only taking his kids out of school but possibly risking legal action for doing so. Really! The rules exist for a reason-- to prevent totally unnecessary trips during the school year, to keep your kid in school learning. You really are a bad parent for choosing to do otherwise.

You realize that you can have family time a home during the school year. Go to the local zoo, take a weekend trip. Whatever. But you don't NEED to go to Disney World for a week during the school year. Your kids should only miss school when they are sick or if there is a family emergency. They have fourteen weeks or more of school vacation a year. Take your vacations then. Come up with all of the excuses why you can't do this. All they are is bad excuses.

It makes me sick how many people on these boards have their priorities totally messed up. I keep reading so that I can laugh at how ridiculous you are justifying these horrible parenting decisions.

ANGRY DIS MOMS ATTACKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(P.S. You probably shouldn't have titled your post "You Are All Bad Parents")

 

[purpledisneyprncess]

I didn't read all of the posts but I don't think there is anything wrong with taking your child(ren) out of school for a week at Disney. The vacation is also a learning experience that your kids will have and the school knows that. I've taken my son (our daughter is not in school yet) out of school the past 2 years and what I did was write the teacher an email about it, informing her ahead of time. Both times, the teachers were fine with it and one even said "I'm jealous, wish I was going!".

I don't think a truant officer would get involved, unless your kids are absent from school frequently. It's one thing to take a week when on vacation, but if they are missing a lot of school, all the time- that is not ideal.

No way, no how would I equate a parent pulling their children out of school for a vacation as being a bad parent!

 

[Dani C]

I think it depends on the child(ren) involved. If they are struggling in school, I probably wouldn't take then out to go to Disney. If they were easily able to miss and still keep up, then I might. For me, age wouldn't matter. Talking to the teachers involved about projected assignments may be a good idea to assist in planning the opportune time though.

I never had issues taking my daughter out of classes for any reason. Her instructors were always able to work with her about missed assignments and make up schedules.

 

[stargazertechie]

I cannot believe that there are eight pages of people supporting the poster for not only taking his kids out of school but possibly risking legal action for doing so. Really! The rules exist for a reason-- to prevent totally unnecessary trips during the school year, to keep your kid in school learning. You really are a bad parent for choosing to do otherwise.

You realize that you can have family time a home during the school year. Go to the local zoo, take a weekend trip. Whatever. But you don't NEED to go to Disney World for a week during the school year. Your kids should only miss school when they are sick or if there is a family emergency. They have fourteen weeks or more of school vacation a year. Take your vacations then. Come up with all of the excuses why you can't do this. All they are is bad excuses.

It makes me sick how many people on these boards have their priorities totally messed up. I keep reading so that I can laugh at how ridiculous you are justifying these horrible parenting decisions.

Because clearly big brother/the government knows a child's educational needs better than the parents.

Elementary schools is not rocket science (no offense EleEd teachers!) and missing 5 days of instruction is not going to cripple these kids for life.

 

[smorkovsky]

I cannot believe that there are eight pages of people supporting the poster for not only taking his kids out of school but possibly risking legal action for doing so. Really! The rules exist for a reason-- to prevent totally unnecessary trips during the school year, to keep your kid in school learning. You really are a bad parent for choosing to do otherwise.

You realize that you can have family time a home during the school year. Go to the local zoo, take a weekend trip. Whatever. But you don't NEED to go to Disney World for a week during the school year. Your kids should only miss school when they are sick or if there is a family emergency. They have fourteen weeks or more of school vacation a year. Take your vacations then. Come up with all of the excuses why you can't do this. All they are is bad excuses.

It makes me sick how many people on these boards have their priorities totally messed up. I keep reading so that I can laugh at how ridiculous you are justifying these horrible parenting decisions.