(How often) do you pull your kids out of school to go to DL?

[yngsj]

For years I took my kids out of school for Disney trips and my parents did the same with me and my siblings. I have worked as a teachers assistant for the last 2 years and have seen first hand how missing even a couple days can make things difficult for the child and teachers. If you have a great student, missing a few days usually isn't a problem but I have seen many who are struggling before they leave and come back very confused and very behind. We now go to Disney on spring break or Presidents break. Its a decision that everyone has to make for themselves.

 

[WhtMagick]

I take myself out of school to go to DL for a week! And I'm a teacher!! I never tell my administration what I'm doing because I don't want to take the chance of being turned down after I have paid for the trip! We don't have kids of our own but we like to go during the off season. As a teacher, I would love for a parent to offer to contribute to our class to make up for their child missing time at school. We live in a very culturally interesting area where education is not always valued and is sometimes more or less optional. Attendance is a struggle for too many of our children and it is pretty rare for parents to request work their child may miss when gone. One of my wonderful assistants just went to DL with her 5 year old for the first time for a week. She will be back tomorrow and to surprise her I found out she actually had paid time off which we didn't know when she left! I say: Be responsible parents. Plan ahead, let the teacher know, get any missing work done. If that doesn't work ....... do what I do ........ don't tell 'em!!!!!! But have fun!

 

[The Orchid]

I take my daughter out every year! I have MS, which makes it very difficult to be at DL in hot weather (though we are going in April because my daughter's band will be marching in the parade! ). I also struggle waiting in long lines, I get hot, which makes my disease flare up. So I need to go during cooler months when it is less crowded. I know some people disagree with what I do, but memories are important and I want my daughter to have as many as she can with me while I'm still healthy enough to enjoy these things with her. Besides, she is a very healthy kid who almost never misses a day of school! So I don't worry too much about it. If she missed a lot of days each year, I would not do it. But as it is, I have very little mom-guilt! And what little I do have disappears the second we walk into the park!

 

[NicoleDisneyFan]

Every few months. My school is really mad about it so I havent told them that we are going again in a week. Every time I tell the school that we are going to disney, they say "Again" I always make sure that my dd stays on top of her work and the teacher knows in advance and knows that I am a disney fanatic!(to say the least) especially since we got back today from the disney on ice so I cant stay away from disney. I really hate going during the summer time so I try to go when the kids are still in school. I am actually thinking about homeschooling soon but not just for disney.....ok, well a little for disney time. My ds is going to kindergarten in September so I may have to figure out what to do with two kids out of school.

 

[Sherwin]

Every few months. My school is really mad about it so I havent told them that we are going again in a week. Every time I tell the school that we are going to disney, they say "Again"

The trick is to tell them about the "family reunion" taking place in California.

 

[NicoleDisneyFan]

The trick is to tell them about the "family reunion" taking place in California.

I love it!! I was about to tell them that my dd was "under the weather" but I was just thinking about the doctors note that I will need No need for a note with a "family reunion" that we will be having now, thanks!

 

[Sherwin]

I love it!! I was about to tell them that my dd was "under the weather" but I was just thinking about the doctors note that I will need No need for a note with a "family reunion" that we will be having now, thanks!

Best part is it's not a lie either!

 

[bethy]

We take our DD out for at least one full week every year, PLUS additional travelling days that usually add up to a total of 2 weeks missed. I don't ask the school for permission to do so. We just do it. We live in a very liberal and affluent area (where we are at lower end of the "range") and pretty much everyone else does it too. So it's sort of part of the culture here and the schools (our schools, that we pay for) have just sort of adapted to that reality I think. As far as destination, ours vary - but IMO it's no one's business where we are going, or even that we're travelling at all.

In our family, education is one our paramount priorities but formal schooling is only one big resource where our children get it. Plus family bonding time ranks above even comprehensive education for us.

 

[Brady's Mom]

As often as we can.

 

[albertamommyof4]

we have never gone on a family vacation, but we are this year lol. I am pulling my 3 kids out of school( the fourth child is only 2) and they are in grade5,3,1 .I will be taking them out for 2 weeks starting right after tehre week off for easter lol, do i feel guilty no because they deserve it and are only young once. I am hoping that the teachers are understanding.
We tried to go to disney for spring break but hubby could not get it off of work.
I haven't told the teachers yet.

 

[mariezp]

we have never gone on a family vacation, but we are this year lol. I am pulling my 3 kids out of school( the fourth child is only 2) and they are in grade5,3,1 .I will be taking them out for 2 weeks starting right after tehre week off for easter lol, do i feel guilty no because they deserve it and are only young once. I am hoping that the teachers are understanding.
We tried to go to disney for spring break but hubby could not get it off of work.
I haven't told the teachers yet.

I think if you and your kids have never had a family vacation you certainly deserve one! Have a FANTASTIC trip!

 

[prncssmel]

I'd have to say that we pull our two DD's (10 and 6) out of school for DL trips about 3X per year, for 3 days at a time. My husband's work is such that "normal" vacation times are when he's busiest so we don't have the luxury of taking family vacations during holidays or summer.

When I was growing up, that is how it was for us. My dad couldn't take off work at holidays, so we went during at other times. I think it depends on your child. I was a straight A student with 9 AP classes in high school, and I made up the work just fine. My brother is in high school now, and my parents are willing to take him out of school for vacation, as long as he keeps his grades up and makes up the work.

I actually think schools (actually legislatures, as they set the policy and funding) put too much emphasis on the exact number of days attended, rather than on making those days worthwhile, but that is a whole other discussion . . .

 

[kristindavis]

I had the luxury of growing up (until I was 13) about 4 miles from DL. They offer a reduced pass for Southern California residents. So, my Grandmother used to let me skip school for the day to take me to the park. It was great. We would ride and ride and eat and eat. Then she would send me home exhausted with a belly-ache. My mother never really objected because she loved the grandmother-granddaughter bonding.