How do you feel about taking kids out of school for a Disney trip?

[d1sneyf4n]

My DD will be in second grade next year and my DS in pre-school. We were thinking of going to WDW next Nov. We went in Dec when my DD was in Kindergarten and I was not really bothered by taking her out of school. For some reason now I am having a little issue with it. I feel bad taking her out of school next year. We would go for 7 days most likely. How do you all feel about it. Do you think my DD missing some days in second grade is a big issue?

 

[tzolkin]

I don't think it's a problem, but a lot of people do.

I would just do what you feel is best for your family and your child.


I've seen many people post that they would shorten their trip so their kid didn't even miss one day.

Our oldest missed two weeks the last two years to visit family and go to Disney. She's missed school for shorter periods in prior years. She always has all of her work done before she goes back to school and her teachers have never had an issue with her missing class. For us it was important to see ill great grandparents and to have some family time together at Disney after DH had been going to school full time and working full time.

My husband also misses work. He plans for the vacation in advance and makes every effort to make sure nothing falls behind... we do the same when we take our kids out of school.

 

[LoraJ]

My parents took us when I was in the second grade. The only thing I really missed from school was being in the class photo. But Disney World was worth it. It is the only time I went as a child.

I think with younger kids it is not much of an issue, but once they are 12 or older, catching up with the work can be much more difficult.

 

[Hercules10]

YES to the Hell degree. School can be made up.

 

[Big V]

We never had a problem taking our DD out of school when she was that young, but now that she's in High School I wouldn't even think about it!
We just talked to her teacher and got the homework to take along with us.

 

[nhpooh]

I took my girls out of grade school when they were younger, it's harder in middle school and even harder in high school.

Sometimes you can ask for any work that she might be able to do on the trip. That way she won't be far behind.

 

[Planogirl]

It depends on your kids and your school and of course your own comfort level. I didn't have a problem taking DS out when he was younger but we never bothered to since our days off worked at the time. Now that he's in high school, I might take him out for a few days very rarely but no more than that.

Anyway, expect some arguing. This subject can be controversial.

 

[Lucky4me]

I have taken dd out of school every year for at least a week until this year, her freshman year in high school. Only took her out for two days and probably wouldn't do more than that. Too hard to make up a weeks worth of high school classes. If we weren't concerned about her maintaining a 4.0, we might have considered, but it's important to all of us.
What makes me mad, is how they rake you over the coals on airfare during school breaks. $600 dollars for rt when a week earlier or later it's under $200.
Hard to swallow that!

 

[craigs bride]

hi. i have taken my children out of school to go to wdw as long as they have some course work to do then im fine with it ...we only go every three yrs or so ,so its not like i take them out every yr ..

 

[clovergirl5]

We took all dc out of school for a week to go to D.C. last year. Teachers/principals were great about it. Everyone's homework was brought and done on the trip.

I have seen parents take their kids out to go to Disney for a week. I didn't see any problem with it. I have seen quite a few times actually. I remember it happening when I was in school too.

 

[KatelynnsAuntie]

I am taking my first grader out of school next month for a week. We are going to WDW over her b'day. I probably won't do it when she gets older, because it will be harder to make up the work, but I am doing it this time.

 

[mjkacmom]

Elementary - absolutely (unless they're struggling). JH/HS - not a chance. My biggest regret is not taking them out every year while they were still in elementary.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Go. In 2nd grade how much make up work can they get? Family time is much more important!

I always go during Spring Break or summer because my youngest DS is in high school. Much harder to make up work in high school. I found that out when the entire family (oldest DS, DDIL, 2 grandkids, youngest DS, and I) went to WDW the week after Thanksgiving 2007. I would not do that again. Youngest DS's grades suffered as a result.

TC

 

[okeydokey]

At that age, I'd have no problem at all.

 

[Pigeon]

Personally, I'd do it in a heartbeat, but as my dh is a teacher, we can only go on school vacations. That said, if my child wasn't a great student, I wouldn't do it.

Our school would give us grief for it, but I couldn't care less about that.

 

[d1sneyf4n]

Thank you for all the replies. I appreciate them all. As of right now, we will plan for the last couple of days in Nov and the first couple days is Dec(Value season). We actually got a pin code to use so that is why we are planning it. Thanks again.

 

[punkin]

There have been some crazy threads around here about bizarre consequences in some districts like outright failing a child for missed days or summoning parents to court. This is not the case in my district, and frankly, I think a week of second grade is eminently missable, but you would do well to check out your school rules.

I have a 6th grader I want to take out in March for almost 2 weeks (not for Disney) and am struggling with it right now. She would miss a lot of school.

 

[pigletgirl]

It really isn't a problem till about 7th grade or so.

When highschool hits, forget it, especially if their in AP classes.

 

[d1sneyf4n]

There have been some crazy threads around here about bizarre consequences in some districts like outright failing a child for missed days or summoning parents to court. This is not the case in my district, and frankly, I think a week of second grade is eminently missable, but you would do well to check out your school rules.

I have a 6th grader I want to take out in March for almost 2 weeks (not for Disney) and am struggling with it right now. She would miss a lot of school.

Wow, that is crazy. My DD school did not have a problem with it when she was in Kindergarten so I do not see them having a problem next year. I just feel bad. With that said, we hope to be in a different school system next year so I think I should call the school district we hope to be in just to make sure that they are ok with it.

 

[NMAmy]

I am for it but then again, I took dd out almost every year including in high school and she was in AP classes. Since she was in the top 10 students in her graduating class, it didn't do her any harm scholastically. I always checked out the school calendar and found a week when they had conferences or in-service days. Luckily, her high school actually allowed students to miss school for family vacations. All I had to do was complete a form that was available online.

Now that she's in college, we're going on her spring break this year.