what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

i would think you want to stay away from mid-term and finals. is it easier when they are younger, k-5 or older, junior high?

Re: what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

I think it's probably easier when they are younger, with the exception of the years that they have standardized tests since it seems like a lot more work those years. Older kids would probably be able to bring their books with them to read over the material they are missing while you are away - if you can get them to do it.

That said, I don't think we'll ever do that. Our parents didn't and as for now we feel like they need to learn that going to school is their biggest priority. I don't care when other people do it, I think that families need to do what works best for them.

Have fun on your trip!

Message edited 1/25/2011 10:05:32 PM.

Re: what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

Posted by CathyB

I think it's probably easier when they are younger, with the exception of the years that they have standardized tests since it seems like a lot more work those years. Older kids would probably be able to bring their books with them to read over the material they are missing while you are away - if you can get them to do it.

That said, I don't think we'll ever do that. Our parents didn't and as for now we feel like they need to learn that going to school is their biggest priority. I don't care when other people do it, I think that families need to do what works best for them.

Have fun on your trip!

Message edited 1/29/2011 7:26:50 PM.

Re: what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

I cannot imagine older would be better with so much more schoolwork to cover & homework to have to make up so I think the younger the better.

The "if any" part of your question is subjective. Very subjective. I don't agree with it for my kids. My DH wants to consider doing it, plenty of people do it. When you see the prices of vacations on the week where the schools are closed vs open, it's easy to get why it's done. But I am not comfortable wiith it and honestly I don't want to be comfortable with it. Still trying to figure out an alternative to going to Disney in the summer though.

Re: what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

We pulled our 2nd and 7th grader out for 4 days this fall and it was fine.

Re: what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

I think it also depends on the child. Some children are fine keeping up with the work on vacation and others will wait until the last night before school resumes to do it all.

Re: what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

I think as long as my DC is not struggling in school, I will always be apt to pull them out for vacation ( unless ofcourse I can avoid it )...The line of work my DH is in pretty much limits us on summer vacations as that is one of his busier seasons and traveling on school vacations with 3 kids is going to be pricey and extremely crowded...I would always make sure to have my DC's work with us so that he/she did not fall behind.

Its my own personal belief that family vacations (and the bonding that goes along with them) are just as important as schoolwork....


ETA- We pulled my DS out for Disney the month after he started kindergarten....His teacher actually encourages family vacations she told us (off the record ) When they get older I would probably just try to be more picky about when we went away to avoid it being too close to review time for testing

Message edited 1/26/2011 1:57:04 PM.

Re: what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

I think younger is better.

I always said I would never do it but I did..twice.

First time was an all expense paid by my inlaws trip to Disney when the kids were in 1st and 3rd grade. Inlaws paid, inlaws picked the date. I think they missed 3 or 4 days...I don't remember.

Second time was when DH went to Washington DC on a business trip so we tagged along. Good learning trip!! Kids were 3rd and 5th grade (5th grade does American history, so I justified it that way!) They missed 2 days on that one.

Both times I asked for work to be sent home but the only time we got any was for my 5th grader.

Now that my oldest is in middle school, I won't take them out for trips again..it's just too much work to catch up on.

Re: what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

too many variables, that everyone mentioned.


as a family - we won't (possibly a day if my vacation doesn't match up exactly)

there are teachers who won't give work ahead of time.

Re: what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

Re: what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

My DD is in pre k and doesnt go every day so I havent had this issue yet.

I would imagine though that the younger the better...as they get older I think there would just be too much work to make up.

I think family trips are very important though and am not really against taking DC out for a few days to go..

Re: what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

Posted by ThreeCats

Posted by Erica
there are teachers who won't give work ahead of time.

well thats just mean

Re: what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

my oldest is in 6th grade we are going to pull her out for a friday and mondy- im sure it will be fine, when she was younger we would pull her out for more days but we dont want to push it ( and she wants to go to school!!)

Re: what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

Posted by ThreeCats

Posted by Erica
there are teachers who won't give work ahead of time.

well thats just mean

Re: what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

I think that no matter the age of the student, no matter how "smart" he or she is, they are going to fall slightly behind.

If you, as a parent, are ok with that then you figure out what works for your family and child.

I can't speak for elementary, but at the secondary level we move so quickly sometimes that they could be further behind than you may think.

Re: what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

i always did it. Do you think my high school senior's grades were hindered because he went away in 6th grade, nope. Really no bearing whatsoever. It is harder as they get older. But I feel that with the way things are today, family time is very important.

Re: what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

I have this issue this May. Inlaws paid/booked a cruise w/o consulting with us on dates. Not only is it inconvenient time w/my job, but I have to pull my daughter out of school for a week (which I am not comfortable with). As it stands, she's missed more than a few days this year due to legitimate illnesses. It aggravates me to no end! (I don't mean to sound ingrateful but they could have simply asked). They do this all the time and expected me to drop my son on the floor on que because they had "plans" on his due date!

Re: what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

Taking children out of school for any reason other then illness, or death in family is illegal absence and is on their school records.

Re: what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

Re: what age/ if any/ is it ok to pull kids out of school for vacation?

I think this is a personal question/decision for each parent to make. If it was a once a year BIG trip, I would absolutely pull my kids.

ETA:
I have taken them out for special trips (not all the time) and have spoken to the school teahers/princ. and all were fine with it). Work goes home with them and so on. We are allotwed 10 days of missed school through out the school year. Do as you wish with them.

Message edited 1/29/2011 4:40:07 PM.