Exchange Rate question???

[amystevekai&bump]

Don't even joke about it, our usual 2 weeks abroad this Easter has turned into 2 nights in Travelodges booked in sale end of last year, £27 for 2 nights. Only going abroad twice instead of 4 times.
Hopefully this year will be last we have to stick to school hols.

no I know - it really isn't funny is it??!!

We are now dealing with the school situation for the first time - Kai started school in January, with Lucas to follow in 2011 - so I've got a good 15 years ahead of me where that is a consideration - I can't believe how expensive things are in the school holidays (and we like to go to Florida for 3 weeks and are not fans of the August heat - so thats another headache in itself!! )

 

[wayneg]

I know every child has to be accessed individually but I am still 100% sure we did the right thing taking Matt out of school for 2 weeks every Oct thru until his 1st year at High school. Turned Oct half term into a 3 week hol.
We were lucky the head teacher totally agreed with us that he gained more from his travel experiences than he ever could sat in a classroom.
Thankfully although he was youngest in class always top of eveything, he also has never had time off for illness.
Now started his GCSE's on course for passing 12, hopefully top grades.

 

[joolz1910]

I know every child has to be accessed individually but I am still 100% sure we did the right thing taking Matt out of school for 2 weeks every Oct thru until his 1st year at High school. Turned Oct half term into a 3 week hol.
We were lucky the head teacher totally agreed with us that he gained more from his travel experiences than he ever could sat in a classroom.
Thankfully although he was youngest in class always top of eveything, he also has never had time off for illness.
Now started his GCSE's on course for passing 12, hopefully top grades.

Just butting in...but I couldn't agree more. Family time is so important. Having fun with your kids while they are young is time well spent in my opinion. I intend to take my 3 out of school for just over a week when we go to WDW and I would not hesitate to do it.

BTW $12,000 ON A HOLIDAY! Please adopt me and take me with you.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

I know every child has to be accessed individually but I am still 100% sure we did the right thing taking Matt out of school for 2 weeks every Oct thru until his 1st year at High school. Turned Oct half term into a 3 week hol.
We were lucky the head teacher totally agreed with us that he gained more from his travel experiences than he ever could sat in a classroom.
Thankfully although he was youngest in class always top of eveything, he also has never had time off for illness.
Now started his GCSE's on course for passing 12, hopefully top grades.

I totally agree with you - I think its the right thing too (The knowledge I gained through my childhood travels have been remembered long after the lessons I was taught at school have been forgotten ) and Matt sounds like he hasn't suffered in any way from being absent for a few weeks each year.

We are taking Kai out for a couple of weeks next Xmas - I'm just hoping that we have a Head Teacher that sees it the same way as Matt's obviously does!! - I know they can't stop me, but it would be 'nice' if I had their blessing too!!

 

[alibeau]

I totally agree with you - I think its the right thing too (The knowledge I gained through my childhood travels have been remembered long after the lessons I was taught at school have been forgotten ) and Matt sounds like he hasn't suffered in any way from being absent for a few weeks each year.

We are taking Kai out for a couple of weeks next Xmas - I'm just hoping that we have a Head Teacher that sees it the same way as Matt's obviously does!! - I know they can't stop me, but it would be 'nice' if I had their blessing too!!

HI Amy,

Sorry to butt in.....

This was our first year of having to take the school holidays into consideration as DD1 started school last Sept. We had permission to take her out of school for 7 days this Feb and incorporated the week she had off school anyway.

When we got back she took the autograph book that all the characters had signed into school and during 'story time' she showed the class the book and they all asked her a few questions - she loved it and her teacher and the head were so supportive of the whole thing!!! We bought her a camera for Xmas and so she took her own photos whilst we were away and so once we've printed some off, she'll take those in too to share with the class....... I'm just so relieved that her school 'happily' agreed to her taking the time off, I would hate to go away 'under a cloud'.......

Hope everything works out well for you

Ali

 

[wayneg]

Matt had to keep a diary while he was off then do a talk on his return. Shame some shools don't agree with it, although I can fully understand not wanting a child sitting on a beach for 2 weeks. Glad we had a very advanced child, must be difficult if a child struggles with school or has a lot of illness.

 

[DisneyBB]

We always took our DD's out of school for 2 weeks near the October break. Then I started a job in a college and I am now stuck with college holidays. We started going every other year at Christmas, because I break up a few days earlier than the girls. My eldest is 15 and the school are more than happy for her to miss the last 3/4 days near Christmas. They don't do much in the last the week. She is on track for A*'s in all her subjects. I think it all depends on the child and how they feel. Both my DD's don't want to miss the beginning of a term, but are more than happy to miss the end.

 

[wayneg]

I think it all depends on the child and how they feel. Both my DD's don't want to miss the beginning of a term, but are more than happy to miss the end.

25+ years ago I was more than happy to miss beginning, end and anywhere inbetween

 

[alibeau]

25+ years ago I was more than happy to miss beginning, end and anywhere inbetween

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

25+ years ago I was more than happy to miss beginning, end and anywhere inbetween

And very well you've done on it!

I would love to go at Christmas but DH (postman) not allowed that time of year off! First chance we get when our boys have left school (another 5 years if the youngest stays in the 6th form) is to go in November to see the decorations.

 

[joolz1910]

25+ years ago I was more than happy to miss beginning, end and anywhere inbetween

I feel like this now...I'm a teacher.

 

[Lisa_C]

HI Amy,

Sorry to butt in.....

This was our first year of having to take the school holidays into consideration as DD1 started school last Sept. We had permission to take her out of school for 7 days this Feb and incorporated the week she had off school anyway.

When we got back she took the autograph book that all the characters had signed into school and during 'story time' she showed the class the book and they all asked her a few questions - she loved it and her teacher and the head were so supportive of the whole thing!!! We bought her a camera for Xmas and so she took her own photos whilst we were away and so once we've printed some off, she'll take those in too to share with the class....... I'm just so relieved that her school 'happily' agreed to her taking the time off, I would hate to go away 'under a cloud'.......

Hope everything works out well for you

Ali

My DD started school last september too - she isn't 5 until the end of june and we're taking her out for the last few days to go to DLP (eurostar was cheaper). Seeing as she doesn't have to be legally at school until the term after her 5th birthday there wasn't anything the school could really say. When I took my son out for ONE day last feb (he was 11) his school went mental at me and said they were not authorising it. I tried to explain that our flights had been moved forward a day so they agreed to let him have the tome off with a MARK in his school record it was unauthorised! He is top of his group and already at GCSE level in Math and Science (at 12!) and has never missed any school.

Well next year we are going back to stay with family in Orlando and I don't care what they say. I have to go when the price is right, and Xmas cost me a small fortune at DLP - but we to are planning Oct/Nov due to the poor exchange rate. Maybe I'll take the halfterm week and either before or after too.

Fingers crossed you work out a plan to keep the cost down xxx

 

[oceanscape]

Not looking too good for us!!!

The Bank of England is expected to cut interest rates to a fresh all-time low and start increasing the money supply in an attempt to revive the economy.

Interest rates down = down goes the exchange rate even more

 

[wayneg]

Not looking too good for us!!!


Interest rates down = down goes the exchange rate even more

I think(hope) its all built in to the market now. With the really bad financial news from US over the past week or so the £ should have had a little rally but it hasn't, I believe bacause of todays news. In fact there is even a slight strenthening in the past 24 hours http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/fds/hi/business/market_data/currency/11/12/intraday.stm

Will be watching how it goes today.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

thanks everyone for all their replies.

This holiday is going to be my test in terms of how the school feels about it - I will be taking them out regardless next year, as I really don't believe it will be detremental to my 5 year old to miss the last couple of weeks before Xmas break.

But if it's causes a problem it might well impact on when we take holidays in the future, as although I have absolutely no problem with vacations in term time, I don't want to upset the school too much either!! - so hopefully I have a like minded headmistress!!

I really do hope the rates improve as although it won't stop us going, it would have a huge impact on where we stay when we get there!!

 

[Shooby doo]

Amy as far as school goes we always found them ok,funnily enough DS had more "catch-up" to do at Primary school than he did at High school -go figure! We have no plans to go in the next few years because of DS going into 3-4 year in saying that though we said he wouldn't be going again with us after spending 3 weeks last year with "Kevin the teenager"!!
SD

 

[Michelle3000]

I really do hope the rates improve as although it won't stop us going, it would have a huge impact on where we stay when we get there!! [/QUOTE]

Hi

I can always put you up for a couple of days in our villa if necessary!!

 

[amystevekai&bump]

I really do hope the rates improve as although it won't stop us going, it would have a huge impact on where we stay when we get there!!

Hi

I can always put you up for a couple of days in our villa if necessary!! [/QUOTE]
you can joke - we might well be kipping on your floor!!!

 

[scottishwee35]

I'm hoping not to cancel - purely because my DH has been granted leave for Xmas (He is not normally allowed any holiday in December) - so this is really a one off chance to experience disney and cruising over the holidays. But I know what you mean - the prices are really hard to justify in this current climate aren't they??!!

And very well you've done on it!

I would love to go at Christmas but DH (postman) not allowed that time of year off! First chance we get when our boys have left school (another 5 years if the youngest stays in the 6th form) is to go in November to see the decorations.

Hello

I am from Scottish....

I booked the Batlic Cruise which my husband is looking forward to...

trouble that I find the exchange rates make us pay 2,000 more.

We are not sure whether to cancel it or not (well i hope not)

I am praying the dollar go up but I got the feeling that it will take long times to creep it up?

Also I would love to book for Xmas but I am not allowing to do it as I work for M&S...

So we wait until later this year before November and see what the exchange rate is...

Scottishwee35