Never say "I'd never do that....."

[dixieamy]

I've read many of the posts debating whether or not one should take children out of school to go to Disney, and although I haven't joined in the debate on the board, I've always said I would never take my kids out of school to go on vacation. That being said, Hurricane Ivan and our school district are now forcing me to do just that.

We have had a 7-day trip to Disney planned since the beginning of summer. We didn't go on vacation this summer because we were saving for the trip. Everyone, (Me, DH, DS7, DD3) was fine with that because we're doing a lot of extra things at Disney that are really doing a number on our budget. Well, fast forward to yesterday. We live in south Alabama and were without power Thursday and Friday of last week due to Hurricane Ivan, so of course the schools had to close those two days. We are on the year-round schedule, and have a 1-week break Oct. 11-15, and have our Disney trip planned for that week. Now, with only 3 weeks notice, the school district tells us the kids will be in school Oct. 14 and 15 that week, with only a 3 day break. They said they knew it would interfere with some people's plans, but that parents would just have to "make the decision which was more important." That just ticks me off! School is very important in our family, but there are other times they can make those days up. I think it's completely unacceptable for them to change the dates 3 weeks out. We did purchase trip insurance, but we also purchased non-refundable Cirque tickets that week.

I'm honestly not trying to start a debate, and I know my DS is only in 2nd grade and can easily make up any work he misses those 2 days, but what would you all do? I just flat out told my DS's teacher he would not be there those 2 days. I think my kids deserve a vacation (as well as mom and dad), and I'm not willing to cancel this close to the trip.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dznefreek]

The simple answer is only you know what your child is capable of (school wise) and only you can make the decision about what is best for your child.
Those who debate the point are simpling stating their opinion, it is not gospel or law and should be taken with a grain of salt.

 

[TracyA]

I think you are doing the right thing. We took our girls out of school last year for a week, at that time they were in 6th, 5th and 2nd grades. They were straight A students all year. Your child is still young enough that it won't have any effect on him. My daughters 2nd grade teacher last year said she thought a family vacation was priceless and to go and have fun. Her other teacher had her write a few sentences every day telling what she did and share it with the class when she got back. The other two girls had homework given to them before and they completed it on our way to the airport and then on our way home. Soon enough school will get too demanding that you won't be able to take your kids out so go now have fun and create some memories that will last a lifetime! Oh and by the way we are doing it again this year. We will be there from 10-22 through 10-29. Have a great trip.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Due to the extreme circumstances that led to this you are absolutely entitled to go on your trip. You have gone above and beyond to schedule this trip when your kids had a break from school. Who knew? Its only two days. The cost of giving up those cirque tickets not to mentioin the heartache of not doing something you have all been looking forward to outweighs the school district attitude. Likely everyone in your neck of the woods is feeling the stress and strain following such a disaster. If anybody says anything (which I doubt) say you did decide what's important and family time wins hands down. Go, have fun and don't give it another thought! BTW I cannot imagine anyone on this board giving you a hard time pulling out your kids given the extreme circumstance, hope I am not wrong.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

You already had your plans made before those days were school days so I would not feel the least bit bad. A similar thing happened to us one year. We'd had a bunch of snow days and our school ended up having classes on Easter Monday, a day that the schools are usually closed. They had school on that day and let anyone who already had plans explain their situation and they then made those absences excused.

I will occasionally pull my kids out of school, but prefer to schedule vacations when they are on break.

T&B

 

[Jennifer S]

While I think school is very important I think you'd be crazy not to go. It's only 2 days. What if they were sick? You wouldn't send them to school. Go have a blast and don't feel bad. I'm taking mine out for a week. The principal said "you won't be the first or the last. Have a great time".

I think valuable family time is priceless.

 

[LAinSEA]

She recommends that her parents take their children out of school for Disney trips. (I'm 40 - and we took our nieces - my folks grandkids - out of school 2 days last March for a family Disneyland trip.) Anytime you can take your family when the crowds are a little lighter is a good thing.

Once children are middle school, junior high or high school age, it may be harder to make up the work. But most elementary grades will give you the work to be made up or done the week you are gone. They may even assign a project that uses the Disney parks.

I suggest you check with your child's teacher, find out what he'll miss and ask if they are studied anything that he might be able to find out about and report back on for the class.

-Laurie

 

[llij]

Go and have fun. Two days isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things. I've taken my kids out for a week each year (the past few years) for a Disney trip. It has never been a problem and the teachers have all been supportive. Heck, I'm in graduate school myself and my professor was all excited that I was taking a week off to be with my family at Disney!

Have a great trip!!

 

[vald1977]

I agree with your reasoning 100 % . The way I look at it, life is just too short. You have the opportunity to make lifetime memories with your family. That is priceless. Have a wonderful trip !

 

[AFMom]

We also lost 2 days of school from Ivan, and our break is from 10-11 - 10-15. But we scheduled our vacation for the ONLY week my husband can take off (and haven't had a vacation in over 18 mo's), and it's next week! Even with all the chaos, both teachers have been very understanding, and have been great about it. My kids are missing a whole week of school - this is the first time we've had to do it. I've never taken them out before and take it very seriously - but they are only this age for a short time (1st and 2nd grade), and this is our one shot at wdw for a few years. Anyway - I wouldn't bat an eye at 2 days - they could easily miss that from illness anyway! And you did your part scheduling for a break. Go and have fun, and trust me - when your kids are grown and away, you won't care about the days they missed, but you'll remember the trip you took. We only live once....

 

[winniedapooh]

That is just like DH saying he would never go back Christmas week again.....notice my counter?! I guess a year can make you forget a lot.

 

[rcraw45425]

After that storm you have all earned it! We're in Columbus, GA, (the city that Ft. Benning is located in). Our school system jumped the gun and announced closing for last Thursday and Friday on Wednesday afternoon. Granted, THursday was a it nasty at times but Friday was beautiful! Sunny, no clouds, breezy. I think I saw 2/3 of my children's school at the mall. Talk about a waste of a good day. We have already been told when we have to make up the day we missed for Charley(day after Labor day). It's a FRIDAY in March. Can we say ruined three day weekend? We're taking our girls out in two weeks for three days, even though it'll be our 3rd trip this year. It's DH's 45th birthday and he works extremely hard for our money (~16 12 hour shifts per month in the Emergency Room). True, taht gives him more flexibility when it comes to planning trips like this but hey, wh ocan resist Mickey and a rate of $169 + tax for the WL and $244+tax for the Poly? Ya gotta do what ya feel is right for your family. If your kids can keep up with the work like mine go for it! I've said enough..........

 

[jann1033]

go and have fun. it's only 2 days .if your son misses something, since it's only second grade you can help him a little extra if need be .

 

[LuvN~Travel]

We're probably going to get hit with the same thing. We are going in May and the kids were already going to miss the last two days of school. (no biggie there, right?!) However, since they missed two days last week due to Ivan, Montgomery Co. will probably have them make up those days at the end. Meaning they'll miss four instead of two. And, if they don't put those days there, they're liable to make it Thanksgiving week. Meaning they'll still miss two days, since we are going then too. Can't win......
Kim

 

[Leota]

I think you did your best to conform with the school schedule & that your child is young enough to be able to make up any missed work. Also, it is only 2 days he'll be missing. My guess is the classes will be light due to other families doing the same thing anyways....

Go & Have Fun! WDW itself can be an educational experience for young kids.
My son used to do a report on a pavillion at Epcot as extra work each trip. He learned alot from it & his teachers were always supportive of his trips (until Jr. High - then it's too hard to make up work - moves to fast)

 

[MELSMICE]

There are some things that are beyond your control - such as weather!!!

You already had the trip planned. I'm sure other familes have vacations planned for that time also. Go & have fun & don't stress about 2 days worth of work. I'll even bet that some of the teachers won't be there because of plans they had with their families.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[Ashes8380]

go and have a great time! you guys all need a nice vacation after all the hurricanes your have been through recently! your child will be fine, and i think you tried to be more than accomodating

 

[disneyfam]

Both of my in-laws ARE school teachers (6th grade and Kindergarten) and they have taken thier children out of school for a vacation.

If your child is capable of making up the work. Absolutely go for it!!

Cynde

 

[Luvdisney]

Go for it, Most likely there will be others doing the same thing. Something like that happened to us when Isabel came trough our area last year. The kids had to make up the days during a time we had planned a trip. It wasn't a Disney trip but we decided to re-arrange our plans and not go. Boy, what a mistake. The 2 days my kids were in school supposedly making up what they missed was spent watching videos. I was so ticked! Never again, If I ever plan a trip during a school break period and then the school board changes it. Oh well, I'm not going to rearrange my plans again. Both my wife and I work full time and with the busy schedules and activities the kids have. Sometimes family time is put on the back burner. I think family time is just as important as school work. Sometimes you just have to take some time for your family and do what is right for you. But I wouldn't change a thing, go have fun!

 

[Cailin'sMom]

Dixieamy: Where in Alabama are you guys located? We are in Mobile. I did not realize that there were any schools in south alabama doing the year round school yet.

Aside from that, I would say go ahead and take the trip. My mom...(who is a teacher by the way) and dad took us out of school for 2 days when I was in the 9th grade to go to WDW. It was for the President's Day/Mardi Gras break. We were already out for 3 days anyway so they just took us out for 2 more and we made the trip.

I agree with the other posters that you know what your children are capable of and how easily they can make up their work.

So go and have a great time!!!