Pulling kids out of school for trip

[cattywampus]

Sarah: I'm so sorry that happened to your family. I hope the great memories you have provide some comfort.

 

[terri33inne]

My oldest son unexpectedly passed away in May at the age of 15. Since 2004 we have taken a yearly trip to WDW and it has always been during the school year. Some trips were missing a few days and a few trips were 10 days.
I would get nervous about how school would comment on pulling the kids out and how they would catch up on homework. Some years it was a struggle. But looking back at it now I would NEVER second guess a decision to pull my kids out of school for a family trip. I don't care if it was to just go to the local zoo. Sorry, but they can throw me in jail. Family memories are more important as I have found out. In the end, that is all you have are memories.

Take the trip and don't look back.


Sarah

So sorry for your loss Sarah! You offer a great perspective on this debate. I came on this thread b/c I am having guilt about pulling my daughter out in December, but reading your story reminds me how precious time & life are.

 

[jimandami]

Sarah,

I'm so sorry for your loss!! We have always pulled our DS10 for trips (since kinder) and will continue to pull both he and DD5 for as long as we can...just for that reason!!

 

[MandiC]

So sorry for your loss Sarah

We pulled our kids out, I don't have any guilt about it and we will likely pull them out in the future. I will *try* to plan it for a week with a long weekend but they change every year (we get a 4 day weekend in October every year, I'd love to go that week, but unfortunately they don't release the next year's schedule until close to the end of the school year). Thankfully our school hasn't given us problems, but ultimately, they are my kids and I have the right to chose what I think is best for my kids. Family time is best for my kids and my husband absolutely cannot take off work from March-September, completely ruling out a spring break or summer trip and there is no way I'd go to Disney over Christmas break.
Now, my younger daughter is on a competitive dance team, for our Disney trip this last year she did miss 2 practices which was the max allowed...for the YEAR so it was taking a chance. If they miss more than that there are penalty fees and the possibility of losing her place on the team. Ultimately even if my husband could take off work going in March-June we wouldn't go then...even if we had gone later in February just would have been inconsiderate because those girls need to work together to pull it off and March starts competition season at our studio (for my daughter's age, older girls start in January! so that will limit us more if she is still on team as she gets older). We will worry about that then for now it is October-February for trips, and we wouldn't miss our big family get togethers for Thanksgiving or Christmas.