Mommy Dearest,
My husband's parents' 50th anniversary is coming up in December and they offered to take the entire family on a trip to celebrate. They selected a cruise that does not return until the 5th of January. While the trip works for the rest of the family, it means my preschooler and kindergartener will miss the first two days back to school after Winter break. My mother-in-law says that I shouldn't worry because the children are young. Though I am grateful for the vacation, I am wary of the kids missing class. Should we skip the trip?
– Cruisin' in Lieu of School Mama
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Cruisin' in Lieu of School Mama,
It's your in-laws' 50th anniversary — a once in a lifetime event that your children are lucky enough to be a part of— I say take them on the trip and don't worry about the two days of missed class. While the vacation is a generous offer, the experience is one your kiddos will always remember and likely means a great deal to your husband's parents. Prior to leaving, sit down with your children's teachers, explain the situation and see if any assignments need to be completed.
– Mommy Dearest
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Dolce & Gabbana
Two days of missed school for a preschooler and kindergartner? Definitely no big deal.
1I can't believe someone would be agonizing over a couple of missed school days for any aged children, let alone a preschooler and a kindergartner! My parents pulled my brother and I out of school for vacations quite a lot when I was growing up, and it had absolutely no impact on my grades. I took the work with me, and have so many wonderful memories of family vacations. I will do the same for my children. I believe the memories and experiences they will have on vacations are far more valuable than sitting in a classroom.
2Better keep them in school, you never know it could cost them Harvard someday.
3Ditto Chouette4U and Mommy Dearest! Bummer to miss school but I bet they could learn a thing or two on this family vacation.
4WHAT??
5Come on, what will they miss coloring, naptime and snack ??
Please don't become a helicopter parent. Relax spend this time with your family and they will grow up to be just great.
Fine at that age, but it's a nightmare when they're older. As a teacher, I've had parents say "I'm taking them on a cruise in February so I'll need the work for the week right now."
ARE YOU KIDDING????? First of all, I'm not going to drop everything I'm teaching now to run off a week's worth of stuff for your kid. Second, ask in advance for the work they will need to make up. Third, plan your vacations around school! I teach fifth grade and it DOES make a difference when they miss.
Ok, off the soapbox.
K or Pre-K, no problem. Older, keep them in!
6sassy, I completely hear your angst as a teacher and I feel for you. That said, I work in an industry that between the months of April and September vacations are a huge NO NO. It doesn't happen. So, when we want a vacation the kids have to miss school. BUT. I ALWAYS notify the school WEEKS in advance that they will have those unexcused absences, and make it the kids' responsibility to get any critical work they will need.
I do realize the strain it puts on the teachers however, and I also make sure that the boys bring back gifts for each and every teacher. Nothing major, just our way of saying "Hey, you're appreciated."
7I don't think people should put off vacations just because they happen to overlap any school days. Pretty much everyone in the service industry of any sort isnt going to be able to take vacation during the summer months, period. My husband actually has blackout days and they hassle them for sick time, as I did when i worked in a call center.
That being said, in this instance its the first two days back after a long break for elementary aged children... they aren't going to be doing anything mind blowing that they can't miss out on. We took vacations during the school year all the time, and most of the time the teachers gave us preplanned worksheet type work to do while we were gone.
To Sassy.. why would they ask for the work now if they arent going on vacation for months..? Thats pretty odd and doesnt really make any sense.
8If your children were any older I'd say no, but they don't miss much work in pre-K or K. I teach the older grades and absolutely hate it when a parent decides to take their children on vacation and only gives me a few days notice (especially if it is right in the middle of a busy week). The children do miss a lot in the older grades, there are tests and assignments every week, so even being gone for one week of school has a detrimental effect. Thankfully, most parents inform us teachers well in advance so we have time to make a work package for the child to take with them.
But in your case I wouldn't worry. Definitely let the teacher know and ask if there's anything the children should do over the vacation to prepare for coming back. If it's right after Christmas break, chances are they won't miss anything note-worthy anyway, there are always children away for the first few days after a long break (sickness or vacation), so teachers know not to cover anything important until the majority of the class is back.
9oh please... K and Pre-K? i'm a teacher and that's no big deal. go cruising. you'd be crazy not to!
10Trying to be the voice of reason here.....what's wrong with talking with the in-laws and seeing if your family can duck out a few days early so you can be back for school? That way both parties basically get what they want, everyone makes a small compromise instead of just 1 party.
11I think it would be hard do get out of a cruise a few days early. Unless you were up for a long swim. I don't see what kids could miss out on in kindergarten. Especially if it's just a couple of days after a vacation. Go on the trip and have fun!!!
12Sounds like this mommy may have some mental problems. Clearly an intelligent and fully functioning person would never have to ask this type of question. Something tells me there are bigger problems going on.
13Are you looking for an excuse to skip the trip?
14Not a big deal at all! There are some things that can't be learned in the classroom, like the value of family! Your kids are young...2 days is no sweat! I wouldn't even think twice about it...
15I try to work around school but when we went to Hawaii my son did have to miss a few days. We took a majority of the vacation over spring break but the cruise did not finish until 2 days into the start of school and I just let the school know in advance and it was no big deal to make up the work. Also, he does not miss much school during the year. He is rarely sick and I think this helps. We are not abusing the privilege of taking days off.
16I don't think anything in the world should ever prevent you from missing a day of vacation, especially school or work! WHO CARES??
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