Taking kids out of school for Disney

[mel64]

We have taken DS 3rd grade out every year for a week in Jan. He does extra work before we go and extra when we return. All I have to say is "Life is Short" Let's make those memories while we can. You just never know

 

[mjantz]

We have taken DS 3rd grade out every year for a week in Jan. He does extra work before we go and extra when we return. All I have to say is "Life is Short" Let's make those memories while we can. You just never know

Sorry, but I've seen others say this ('Life is Short') & I have to respond.

Yes, we should enjoy every moment we have with our kids & families. However, I've found that I don't need to pull my kids out of school for up to a week to have 'experiences' or 'family time' or 'bonding moments'. My son had an 'experience' last night when he & DH did what they do every Tuesday DD & I have Brownies (watch an old episode of Star Trek). He was so excited DD & I were leaving so he could spend time with his dad doing something they both love.
Tomorrow we're going to a museum exhibit that we've been looking forward to for months. Its a prelude to a trip we're taking next summer & I'm looking forward to both.
We take vacations every year & they range from small (San Antonio) to massive (Disney cruise). And somehow, despite the larger crowds (because we go during the summer or Spring Break), we always seem to have a great time & really enjoy ourselves. Somehow, even with the 'unwashed masses' we manage to make memories & bond with our children.

If you want to take your kids out of school to go to Disney, your choice. But don't make it out to be some huge form of 'bonding' or 'memory making' only available the 2nd Tuesday of every 5 month on years that end in zero. Disneys open 365 days so you could go when school is out.

 

[BostonRob]

If you want to take your kids out of school to go to Disney, your choice. But don't make it out to be some huge form of 'bonding' or 'memory making' only available the 2nd Tuesday of every 5 month on years that end in zero. Disneys open 365 days so you could go when school is out.

Well said. I couldn't agree more. I'd hate to think that when I tell people I wouldn't take my kids out of school to go to disney that they would assume I don't value family time or bonding or making memories. I wouldn't want them to asume I think school is more important than family. That's ridiculous. My family is the most important thing to me too. Listen, school is only 6 hours a day, 180 days a year. And school is the only 'job' that most kids have. My wife and I agree that it is important for our kids to make that a priority in their lifes. That doesn't mean we don't value family time.

We schedule our family time so it doesn't interfere with other priorities. Not because one is more important than the other, but because we have control over scheduling one and not the other.

 

[BostonRob]

OT here...........
has your dd never been sick at all? Or does she go to school, even if she is slightly sick? What if she had say a runny nose, cough, etc.. would she be in school? IF so, this is what bothers the heck outta me, cuz this is why kids get sick left and right in school, i can't stand to see parents send their sick kids to school and contaminate the other kids.. it bothers me to no end. Now, if she has never been sick in 2 yrs, then your child must be amazing healthy....... and good for her!

And i too, am so glad i don't work with you - nothing personal, but i own a business, and i would NOT want my employee coming into work,selling my products while sick and getting everyone around her sick.. it's not polite at all. And you say you are hired to do the "best you can do", to me, when you are coming to work sick or overtired, that is not being the "Best you can do" at all!!

Your bothers and fears are unfounded. Check the definition of the common colde here http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000678.htm from the national institute of health.

To summarize, the common cold is most contagious before symptoms appear. So kids are infecting one another BEFORE they start sneezing and coughing.

 

[Sunny37]

Sorry, but I've seen others say this ('Life is Short') & I have to respond.

Yes, we should enjoy every moment we have with our kids & families. However, I've found that I don't need to pull my kids out of school for up to a week to have 'experiences' or 'family time' or 'bonding moments'. My son had an 'experience' last night when he & DH did what they do every Tuesday DD & I have Brownies (watch an old episode of Star Trek). He was so excited DD & I were leaving so he could spend time with his dad doing something they both love.
Tomorrow we're going to a museum exhibit that we've been looking forward to for months. Its a prelude to a trip we're taking next summer & I'm looking forward to both.
We take vacations every year & they range from small (San Antonio) to massive (Disney cruise). And somehow, despite the larger crowds (because we go during the summer or Spring Break), we always seem to have a great time & really enjoy ourselves. Somehow, even with the 'unwashed masses' we manage to make memories & bond with our children.

If you want to take your kids out of school to go to Disney, your choice. But don't make it out to be some huge form of 'bonding' or 'memory making' only available the 2nd Tuesday of every 5 month on years that end in zero. Disneys open 365 days so you could go when school is out.

Well put!

 

[Starr W.]

Well said. I couldn't agree more. I'd hate to think that when I tell people I wouldn't take my kids out of school to go to disney that they would assume I don't value family time or bonding or making memories. I wouldn't want them to asume I think school is more important than family. That's ridiculous. My family is the most important thing to me too. Listen, school is only 6 hours a day, 180 days a year. And school is the only 'job' that most kids have. My wife and I agree that it is important for our kids to make that a priority in their lifes. That doesn't mean we don't value family time.

We schedule our family time so it doesn't interfere with other priorities. Not because one is more important than the other, but because we have control over scheduling one and not the other.

Very well put! DH tells our son that school is his "job" too.

 

[mel64]

Sorry, but I've seen others say this ('Life is Short') & I have to respond.

Yes, we should enjoy every moment we have with our kids & families. However, I've found that I don't need to pull my kids out of school for up to a week to have 'experiences' or 'family time' or 'bonding moments'. My son had an 'experience' last night when he & DH did what they do every Tuesday DD & I have Brownies (watch an old episode of Star Trek). He was so excited DD & I were leaving so he could spend time with his dad doing something they both love.
Tomorrow we're going to a museum exhibit that we've been looking forward to for months. Its a prelude to a trip we're taking next summer & I'm looking forward to both.
We take vacations every year & they range from small (San Antonio) to massive (Disney cruise). And somehow, despite the larger crowds (because we go during the summer or Spring Break), we always seem to have a great time & really enjoy ourselves. Somehow, even with the 'unwashed masses' we manage to make memories & bond with our children.

If you want to take your kids out of school to go to Disney, your choice. But don't make it out to be some huge form of 'bonding' or 'memory making' only available the 2nd Tuesday of every 5 month on years that end in zero. Disneys open 365 days so you could go when school is out.

Well let's give you the parenting gold star

 

[Lady V]

Sorry, but I've seen others say this ('Life is Short') & I have to respond.

Yes, we should enjoy every moment we have with our kids & families. However, I've found that I don't need to pull my kids out of school for up to a week to have 'experiences' or 'family time' or 'bonding moments'. My son had an 'experience' last night when he & DH did what they do every Tuesday DD & I have Brownies (watch an old episode of Star Trek). He was so excited DD & I were leaving so he could spend time with his dad doing something they both love.
Tomorrow we're going to a museum exhibit that we've been looking forward to for months. Its a prelude to a trip we're taking next summer & I'm looking forward to both.
We take vacations every year & they range from small (San Antonio) to massive (Disney cruise). And somehow, despite the larger crowds (because we go during the summer or Spring Break), we always seem to have a great time & really enjoy ourselves. Somehow, even with the 'unwashed masses' we manage to make memories & bond with our children.

If you want to take your kids out of school to go to Disney, your choice. But don't make it out to be some huge form of 'bonding' or 'memory making' only available the 2nd Tuesday of every 5 month on years that end in zero. Disneys open 365 days so you could go when school is out.

different situations need different vacation times. I am glad you can go during the busy months so parents like me have one less family to wait in line behind!! LOL

 

[traul]

I have taken my children out of school to go to DW 4 times and have never regretted it. The way I look at it is they are my children not the schools and as long as they get the work done that they miss it isn't a problem. I just inform the teachers ahead of time and ask if we can have the work before we leave. The teachers have never had a problem with it and usually just ask that the kids read a book for 20 minutes in the evening, keep a journal of our trip and give us the math assignments before we leave. Take it from a 10 year cancer survivor and someone who lost their brother to the same disease no one looking at their own mortality ever wishes they had gone to school instead of DW because it should have been their first priority. School will be there when you get back. But you don't know if you or the ones you love will be. Go have fun with your kids!!!

 

[MrsPete]

Yes, we should enjoy every moment we have with our kids & families. However, I've found that I don't need to pull my kids out of school for up to a week to have 'experiences' or 'family time' or 'bonding moments'.

I couldn't agree more. Kids go to school 180 days/year, which leaves 185 days free. We take our girls on trips about once a month, and they never miss school -- we often take advantage of long weekends. We do LOTS of "family time" and "bonding moments", AND they attend school regularly.

 

[MrsPete]

I like the teachers who give it early. I went away once, got all my homework for a week nd got my homework three days before. I Sat down, did it, and handed it in before I ever left.

Then you are highly unusual.

I'd say 80% of the kids who are out of my class for vacations do NO make-up work whatsoever -- even if their parents have picked up the work personally and promised to supervise it -- even if the child is given an extension, they simply don't do it. Another 10% do just the easy, fill-in-the-blank worksheets, and they ignore the reading and the assignments that take real effort. And 10% -- a very generous estimate -- actually DO all the make-up work.

On the other hand, kids who are out because of illnesses, DO tend to do the make-up work. It seems to be a mindset: if you're out for illness, you have to make up the work . . . if you're out for vacation, the world stops for you and there's no need to think about what went on during your absence -- all evidence to the contrary.

 

[Starr W.]

Really? I guess that doesn't suprise me vacation make-up work or not. Last year if you turned in your homework on time for a quarter, the kids got to watch a movie. This was for all three 3rd grade classes, over half the kids didn't get to watch the movie(the teachers let you make up work if you were sick/excused absence and gave you a couple of freebies if you forgot homework).

I have a friend who decides that her DS has had "enough" homework for the night and will write a note that it's too much and she decided he didn't have to finish. I noticed 4th grade has a little more homework than last year, she's going to flip in 5th grade. Homework in every subject during the week.

 

[snowman]

When Carl was in 1st and 3rd grades we took him out of school for Disney (trips to hit his birthday and then DSO's birthday). We talked to his teachers as soon as school started and again as the date got closer to get his homework.

However, this next year he will be in 8th grade. My feelings towards taking him out of school for a vacation are a lot different now. We are going at the end of August. He will be missing 2 1/2 days of school, but this is at the beginning of the year. I don't have a problem with that as they don't do much for those first 2 1/2 days anyway.

I would much rather go for his birthday or for the time between T-giving and Xmas but the idea of taking him out of school as an 8th grader is one that I can't get on board with.

As for the OP - 2nd grade shouldn't be a problem (or at least wouldn't be at DN's school). I'd take my 2nd grader out in a heartbeat for a trip to WDW.

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

We will be leaving in 4 days and my two dd's will miss 3 days of school. They always make up any work missed. Actually, my youngest is in Kindergarten and she hasn't missed a day yet. My other daughter is in second grade and has missed two days due to an illness. They are both doing well in school and their absences will be considered excused. So, I say go and have a good time.

 

[Taratink]

I take my kids out of school every year. My son had AS and he cannot tolerate crowds. I have no regrets and why do others have such a large problem with it. My kids my choice! I take great care of my kids and I am a great mother who also takes her kids out of school for a week. If my kids start to fall behind because of it, I will have to change our plan.
Taar

 

[Magalex]

I would love to go off season too but I am afraid of my son's principal (I jump when he says jump) They have a strict attendance policy(public school) enforced by the principal. I haven't asked any other parents about vacation during school time. My DS is only in K. But my friend is going to Hawaii in May. So we will see what is said to her. But we are now planning our WDW in June right after the last day of school. Even tho I think one big benefit is that we don't have to ask permission and no school work to worry about.

 

[Magalex]

I would love to go off season too but I am afraid of my son's principal (I jump when he says jump) They have a strict attendance policy(public school) enforced by the principal. I haven't asked any other parents about vacation during school time. My DS is only in K. But my friend is going to Hawaii in May. So we will see what is said to her. But we are now planning our WDW in June right after the last day of school. Even tho I think one big benefit is that we don't have to ask permission and no school work to worry about.

 

[Darcy03231]

Just make sure you check your school policy. In our district if you take them out of school for a vacation it counts as an unexcused absence. Its up to the teacher whether or not they want to give the makeup work/homework/tests. If they don't the child gets a zero on everything they missed while out. I took my kids out when they were little (we didn't have the policy then) but certainly wouldn't do it now. I think the elementary school teachers are more willing to work with you than the middle or high school ones as their is only one teacher.

 

[declansdad]

I have a friend who decides that her DS has had "enough" homework for the night and will write a note that it's too much and she decided he didn't have to finish.

Just curious, who does she blame when he loses marks for incomplete homework or when he doesn't understand the material?

 

[Starr W.]

Just curious, who does she blame when he loses marks for incomplete homework or when he doesn't understand the material?

She's one of those parents that if you mention her name to the secretaries in the office they just roll their eyes. The teachers wince when they see her kids' names on their class list. The general "rules" don't apply to them, they have their own special ones, like not finishing homework. They are also the ones that can't manage to register their kindergarteners at the given time, but prefer to do it right before school starts. The registration day is in every newsletter for 3 months before hand. But they don't want their kids to go through "screening" like everyone else. And these are not people who just moved in, they have 2 other kids at the school.


My son has AS and he manages to do all the homework,which I have to bite my tongue from saying to her.