How many of you keep your kids out of school

[Dina]

I think you have extenuating circumstances, and you should do it and not feel guilty about it. We have decided not to do it, but DH and I were never allowed to miss school, and I was a teacher, and basically I just have a hard time getting past the mentality our parents had. That's me, I really dont' think its wrong to take your kids out. I'd just rather go, when my kids don't have to worry about making up work (that would have bothered me as a kid-- I worried alot). I think you should do it!!

 

[harmonium]

We have been going to WDW for the past 3 years during Feb and this year is no exception. Our daughter is 7 and we have her write a journal about the trip and this year she will probably bring homework along as well. Given your situation with your husband I really see no reason why you should stay home.

Good luck to you.

 

[Stacerita]

I always take the sweetpea out of school. I decide when we want to go or when we plan the trip, then worry about taking her out of school. She is still in grade school so the work load isn't that high yet. She is a straight A student, GATE recommended, and a peer tutor so I never worry about taking her out. If its for a day or two I normally just call in sick for her. But when we go on vacation for a week, I will let the school know in advance and set up an independent study proggram for her. The IS agreement then has to be signed by teacher, principal and district. On the last day shes at school before the trip, she is given the work the class will do the week she is gone. She always completes the packet prior to us leaving. As she gets older I might weigh the pros and cons a bit more since the work will get harder. But as long as she does well in school I dont see a problem with it.

As a parent you know whats best for your children. A few days at school to do work that they can complete otherwise is no comparrison to spending a family vacation with dad whos been away. The memories that the get from the vacaton will outweigh anything that they can learn in those few days at school. I see no problem taking them out.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I am a teacher and I think 3 days under the circumstances is perfectly reasonable. If I were the teacher in this situation, I would ask them to keep a travel journal and either do the work while they are there, or be prepared to "catch up" a bit.

Don't even think of not going on this special trip. The kids are looking forward to it.

I've seen students who were failing get taken out of school for 5 or 6 or in one case 9 days! There's nothing wrong with a student who is on track who misses 2 or 3 days, ESPECIALLY when it is to spend time with their father who they haven't seen in half a year.

Have a great time!

Also- Maybe you could mention this at a restaurant or something, maybe a special "Welcome Home" dessert or something will come your way?

 

[dwcrazee]

We will be taking DD out of school for 5 days in April for our WDW trip. She is just in Kindergarten and I don't think it will be a big deal for her. Since her school does allow this with a 2 week notice I feel fine about taking her out for those days. She knows this is something special and she will still have "homework" while we are gone. She is going to keep a journal and help read maps and chart our progress on the drive.

Angie

 

[Mom2tmha]

I am taking my kids ds (15, in 10th grade) and dd (11, in 6th grade) out for 5 days. I have done it the past 2 years and it hasn't been a problem. I actually went into the school and gave that Disney excuse letter to the attendance office.

 

[LOLA2]

In October I will be taking DD 10 out of school 4 8 dys will be on Disney cruise
so no way around amount of time. We will also be hitting the parks for a couple days. My daughter does not get straight As as many of those who have posted she struggles with a learning disability. While I know that it is harder for her to make up the teachers seem not to be too concerned about tons of make up work. They know school is hard for her and she could really
use the break. Once she gets into middle school I will need to start going of x-mas break or something. In your situation I wouldn't think twice. Family time is just as important as school work!! Especially only 3 days, thats nothin!

 

[shasess]

My DD9 is in a year round school so we generally take vacations when she is tracked out during Feb or early May so I have never had to take her out during school days....However I say go for it. Quality time with your husband is very important! Have fun!

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

yep........def. take them out and go. we always did it also . now my oldest dd is 25 and her husband is in army, right now hes in iraq and he hopes to be home in april also. they are expecting their 1st baby. it is our 1st grandchild. so please , go and have a GREAT time . all of you being together is def. more important. sorry thats the way i feel. oh yeah, my dd is due around middle of april, so hopefully thats when his 10 - 12 days home will be..........

 

[allboyz]

yep........def. take them out and go. we always did it also . now my oldest dd is 25 and her husband is in army, right now hes in iraq and he hopes to be home in april also. they are expecting their 1st baby. it is our 1st grandchild. so please , go and have a GREAT time . all of you being together is def. more important. sorry thats the way i feel. oh yeah, my dd is due around middle of april, so hopefully thats when his 10 - 12 days home will be..........

Congratulations! Hopefully your sil will make it home in time for the delivery.

 

[Bunchkin]

We have also taken our DD-8 out of school for a few days. We usually go around scheduled days off of school or Christmas break. We've also asked for school work before leaving. She get all A+'s and hates missing class.

You have to do what's best for your family. I'm sure you'll missing a couple days of school won't be the worst thing that could happen.

 

[quiltingmom4]

As a former middle school teacher, I used to hate it when parents would pull the kids out for a week. Now that the shoe is on the other foot I completely understand. My Dh work schedule is not compatable with the school schedule and I will put family over school in a heartbeat. Go for it and have an incredible time. It will be something you will remeber for years.

 

[mommy22gurlz]

We took our kids out of school, grades 1 and 8 for a week in December simply because of the fact that it was cheaper, and less crowded to go during the week we went. I got their work before we left and emailed all 8 of dd13's teachers in advance. Every one of them replied back with "have a great vacation". I got no negativity whatsoever and didn't affect their grades at all for that grading period.

I say go for it!! You have to do what's best for your family.

Have fun!!

Tammy

 

[mytwotinks]

I am soooo glad to hear from the teachers that they don't just hate the parents who take their kids out of school. We are a one income family and dh works long hours as a paramedic/fireman. Our Disney trips are one of our only splurges and I would hate for us to only be able to go when the parks are super crowded. I really feel like you get tons more for your money when you go during the off season. I want our time together to be relaxed and fun. We will ALWAYS go during the off season. Sorry school !!!

 

[Wickedmom75]

As a Military wife & mom to 4. I say Go for it !!! We took 3 of our 4 out in August last year (3 go to year round) . Their Dad had spent the past 3 years on Sea Duty and he was gone a lot! So we really needed the family time for just us. Go and have fun reconnecting your lives. Oh we had free dining and have always said when we go back we will pay for it because it was a lot less stressful than trying to budget for food, and we got to eat at a lot of places we normally would not have due to the cost.

 

[lil.disney.princess]

i am taking my 4 children out of school for our 2 week vacation in june-we have to fit our holidays around when my husband can get time off from work which in my opinion is far more important than school!!

also having 5 children we couldnt afford to take a disney holiday during the school holidays anyway!!

if your husband is in the military-putting his life at stake for his country then he should be able to take his family on holiday when he can!!!

 

[D&DDisney]

We've done it. Would do it again. School work can be made up - family time can't.

 

[sunny_medford]

MAJORITY RULES....take the kids out of school and enjoy spending time as a family again, you won't regret it.

 

[AshAlytwins]

We have pulled the girls out for the last 4 years with no problem. THey get their homework ahead of time and do it on the train. As long as they are straight A students the school is alright with it. Now this may be our last year because of Basketball Seaon being in the Winter in High School instead of Spring.

 

[DonnaDuck]

I was really worried about taking my son out last month. He is in kindergarten, but still I felt guilty doing it. I spoke with his teachers at the beginning of the year...and they said, "we will only let him go under one condition...YOU TAKE US WITH YOU" LOL

They were really encouraging about him going. He missed 4 days of school.

We are going back Winter break January '07. He will only miss 3 days this time. Hope his 1st grade teachers are as understanding about things.