Mental health days off in HS?

[Anonymous]

We’ve always allowed DD14, now a freshman, to take “mental health days” on the school days before a break (before Thanksgiving, before Christmas, etc) because there often isn’t much happening on those days that she’d miss (no tests, no big assignments.) She’s finding that in high school, they reward showing up on such days. They have been given extra credit three times now (the Friday before Labor Day, the Friday after the end of the marking period which was that Thursday, and the half-day of parent teacher conferences.) She’s doing well in her classes, but every bit of extra credit helps! She’s already asking us if we will allow her to take the day off (next Tuesday) like usual, or if we will make her attend for the possible extra credit.

I’m torn. Is it time to buckle down? We (DH and myself) always take that week off, and in the past we get takeout for dinner on Monday night and start our break early, sleeping in on Tuesday. Of course, we could push this back until Tuesday night.

I also considered maybe we see what her grades look like that day, and decide then, does she need the extra credit (not much, +/- 10 points)? At the same time, 10 points can take you from a B+ to an A-.

I realize I’m WAY overthinking this. I’m just curious how we should handle this now that we are in the HS era. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

She should go to school. Yes.

It's not a mental health day if it's just a day off because there's not much going on. A mental health day is a day off when you are overwhelmed/exhausted and when there's not a test or a paper due.

A day when extra credit is offered? You go no matter what.

[Anonymous]

Mental health days are for when you could use a day of rest and it would really help you in the long run. Skipping school around holidays is not for mental health. She should go to school.

[Anonymous]

The time for mental health days to start a long weekend are over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mental health days are for when you could use a day of rest and it would really help you in the long run. Skipping school around holidays is not for mental health. She should go to school.

Ah, sorry for using the wrong term. I see now that you’re right. I guess these would qualify more as “fun” days.

[Anonymous]

Yes she should go. Thise aren’t mental health days they are fun days.

[Anonymous]

I do allow mental health days when my kids have had an extended period where they’re super stressed or exhausted. When they reach their breaking point, they can have a day off to rejuvenate so they can return to school ready to give their best effort. They do not get to miss school just to extend holidays in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mental health days are for when you could use a day of rest and it would really help you in the long run. Skipping school around holidays is not for mental health. She should go to school.

Ah, sorry for using the wrong term. I see now that you’re right. I guess these would qualify more as “fun” days.

She can have fun the four/five days she's off for Thanksgiving.

[Anonymous]

I let DS skip random days when it suits me (if we are traveling and coming back a day late for example, or if I have a super early morning commitment and can’t drive him, things like that). So maybe just let her skip different days, not the extra credit ones? I am jealous I wish they gave that to DS, he is always at like 89.9% and can’t be bothered

[Anonymous]

It’s common to have tests or a project on the day before a break in HS so they finish the unit before vacation. I’ve never heard of extra credit. You are more likely to have her have tests as she gets further into HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do allow mental health days when my kids have had an extended period where they’re super stressed or exhausted. When they reach their breaking point, they can have a day off to rejuvenate so they can return to school ready to give their best effort. They do not get to miss school just to extend holidays in high school.

+1 Now that your DD is in high school they'll actually need skip days to recalibrate. Mine hit this point around February/March. Save it for then.

[Anonymous]

She takes mental health days and you are overthinking this. You two are creating your own problems but why.
It's a school day and she should be in school. These should be easy days.

[Anonymous]

Time to switch things up. I give 3 unquestioned mental health days a year. I trust them to know when they need to be taken. Sometimes none are used.

The day before a holiday is not the best use of these kind of days, as she is already about to have a break from school.

[Anonymous]

She should go. Having “easy” days in school and getting extra credit is good for mental health too. Those extra credit point points may lessen some grade stress or disappointment at the end of the marking period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mental health days are for when you could use a day of rest and it would really help you in the long run. Skipping school around holidays is not for mental health. She should go to school.

Ah, sorry for using the wrong term. I see now that you’re right. I guess these would qualify more as “fun” days.

I approve of mental health days. I strongly object to letting your kid take off for fun.