Vacation during School Season

We're planning a Disney cruise for next year September. I went ahead and invited 2 of my cousins to see if they would be interested in joining us. The kids would be missing 3 days in the very beginning of September. They said no and that they would never have their kids take off from school to go on a vacation. I understand them and I by no means am judging them and I hope that are not judging me for thinking differently.

I would love to plan my vacations during the Summer but financially that is just not doable for us. I have 4 kids and Summer vacations are just too expensive for us. And to me it's so important to go on a vacation once a year if we can swing it. Am I being a bad mother because I don't mind taking my kids out for 3 days in the beginning of the school year? This whole thing has me second guessing myself.

Would you take your kids out of school to go on a family vacation?

This year we're going to Disney during the first week of September but lucky for us school this year starts on the 9th so my kids won't be missing any days.

Re: Vacation during School Season

I would and absolutely will in the future. To me, my children will gain far more experience traveling than he or she will gain in a weeks worth of school!

Message edited 7/11/2013 10:07:30 AM.

Vacation during School Season

Yes I would, but I personally wouldn't do it the first weeks of school when they are adjusting, learning the routine of the classroom etc. I also try to plan our vacation in conjunction with the end of a holiday OR incorporate a weekend, so they don't miss an entire week. For instance, we went to Disney last December, and I pulled them out half day on Friday, and they missed Monday and Tuesday (we came home Tuesday night).

P.S., there was a HUGE thread about this recently

Message edited 7/11/2013 10:51:19 AM.

Re: Vacation during School Season

Posted by BargainMama

Yes I would, but I personally wouldn't do it the first weeks of school when they are adjusting, learning the routine of the classroom etc. I also try to plan our vacation in conjunction with the end of a holiday OR incorporate a weekend, so they don't miss an entire week. For instance, we went to Disney last December, and I pulled them out half day on Friday, and they missed Monday and Tuesday (we came home Tuesday night).

P.S., there was a HUGE thread about this recently

Re: Vacation during School Season

I see no issue if they are under a certain age and its for 4 days. The places are less crowded and the work is easy to catch up on.

Re: Vacation during School Season

I think the second week of school is fine. We pull out kids out for 2-3 days in Nov. I think up until the Holiday break in Dec. you are ok. They are doing so much review from the previous year.

Re: Vacation during School Season

DD missed 2 days last year before xmas vacation when we went to Disney land she'll be missing the same 2 days this year when we go to Beaches. DH is very against it and said it will be the last time we do it. She will be in first grade. As long as my kids are doing well in school and arent missing any major events or tests, I don't personally feel its a big deal. If they were not good students, i would not pull them out.

Re: Vacation during School Season

We are pulling our kids for a week this late fall to go away.

I personally wouldnt pull them out the first few weeks of school, but after that, when the are in elem. school, sure thing.

Re: Vacation during School Season

Posted by BargainMama

Yes I would, but I personally wouldn't do it the first weeks of school when they are adjusting, learning the routine of the classroom etc. I also try to plan our vacation in conjunction with the end of a holiday OR incorporate a weekend, so they don't miss an entire week. For instance, we went to Disney last December, and I pulled them out half day on Friday, and they missed Monday and Tuesday (we came home Tuesday night).

P.S., there was a HUGE thread about this recently

Re: Vacation during School Season

When does your school start? Here school is starting September 9th because the Jewish holidays are really early this year.

Re: Vacation during School Season

I don't love the idea of taking kids out of school for vacation, but I do understand that it's the best option for some families. That said, I think it's a REALLY bad idea to do it during the 2nd week of school, no matter what age of the child (I say this as a parent and teacher).

Re: Vacation during School Season

Re: Vacation during School Season

I do it. Right now m kids are young, well adjusted at school and are ahead academically at school. I think at a certain age it gets harder to do so but for now we do. Last year I pulled my kids out for 5 days in November for a family trip (K and 2nd grade). This year I am doing it again just less days. I don't do it in September just because I want my kids to start off with everyone and get adjusted with teacher and their class but I wouldn't judge anyone for doing so.

Re: Vacation during School Season

I don't think it makes you a bad mother at all! My oldest is going into first grade and we are pulling him out for 4 days when we go to Disney in November. You do what is best for your child and your family.

Re: Vacation during School Season

Thank you all. I spoke to my husband and based on some advice here we decided not to do it during the first month of school.
I don't want them to miss more than 3 days so we're going to play with some holidays and see what works best for us all.

Re: Vacation during School Season

We pulled DS out of Kindergarten for 6 days for Disney world and Disney Cruise.

We will do it again in the future. actually DS's friend went on a trip in September and the teacher didnt give him anything to make up, same for his older brother. We are actually considering doing another cruise next sept. I think its probably a good time to pull the kids because alot of it is simply review.

ETA: IF you look next september I think the jewish holidays are around sept 25ish, so if you could do a cruise around that time it might minimize the time out of class

Message edited 7/18/2013 10:10:05 AM.

Re: Vacation during School Season

Posted by mommyof3girls

Thank you all. I spoke to my husband and based on some advice here we decided not to do it during the first month of school.
I don't want them to miss more than 3 days so we're going to play with some holidays and see what works best for us all.

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We will be takign DS out the third week of school. I figure it gives him two weeks to get used to his class/routine, it gives us the benefit of a less crowded Disney and the prices are less expensive.

Re: Vacation during School Season

As a teacher I personally hate when kids miss school. It's more work for the teacher. Especially once they get to middle school and older. As a mother I totally get it.

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I plan on pulling my kids EVERY single time we go to Disney. The crowds and costs are just too much on school vacations. In the grand scheme of things, missing a few days of school over the course off your education is just not that big of a deal IMO. School is extremely important but so is making family memories. Annnnnnd..........finances, it's a real consideration.

I know not everyone agrees but for us, I have no problem pulling them.

Re: Vacation during School Season

yes

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I know this topic has been thoroughly discussed in the past. I am one of those who won't take kids out of school for a vacation. We work around school schedules. Our main vacation is during the summer. I pay tuition for them to attend a private school, you better believe I get every penny worth

Re: Vacation during School Season

I will definitely be doing this as it is very difficult for me to get off during holiday times. DS is going into pre-k so it won't be a big issue for another year or two, but I won't be planning my trips around his breaks. As a child I was pulled out at least once a year for vacation. They are some of the best memories I have!

Vacation during School Season

i am a teacher so i can't. i'm restricted to the "expensive" times