Would you travel without your kid the first week of Kindergarten?

[Anonymous]

Our best friend is planning a 40th birthday trip to California Labor Day 2020. They’re renting a house and need a headcount ASAP. We really want to go- we love this group of friends and have been close since high school and have stayed close despite being spread out over the country, through deaths, divorces, and illness, all of which makes celebrating milestones like this even more special.

BUT—Our DS (our only kid) will be starting Kindergarten around that time. MCPS hasn’t announced 2020 start dates yet, but would presumably be Sept 8, the Tuesday after Labor Day. Grandparents could watch him while we’re gone. It would be a 4 or 5 day trip thurs or fri to mon.

Would you commit to go on this trip? Does your answer change if school starts Aug 31 vs Sept 8?

[Anonymous]

Go. Your kid will be in school all day. Not like you will be right there next to him if you stay. FaceTime him every morning and night. Make sure teacher has your email to keep you up to date.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do it, but my kid is particularly bad at transitions and won't know any of the kids in kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

If I went, I'd fly back on Labor Day so I wouldn't miss the first day of school/kindergarten. And I say this as someone who didn't think it was *that* big of a deal (e.g., we skipped pre-k graduation) and whose child made the transition easily (she'd been in full-day care since she was a toddler).

[Anonymous]

Ooh tough one. I'd be much more inclined to go if school started a little earlier. Also, it would depend on how the grandparents would be able to handle the craziness of that first week or two of K. I wouldn't want to miss it. I say if you have parents that are willing and able -- go for it!

[Anonymous]

I'm curious, does the birthday friend have kids? Presumably most kids will be starting school around that date. Do most of these friends have kids roughly the same age as yours?

[Anonymous]

I would not be gone for the actual first day of school but if you are talking about leaving later that week or getting home the night before I would.

[Anonymous]

I think MCPS plans a pre-Labor Day start next year.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

I’d feel bad, but would go. Long term no big deal especially if he’s close with grandparents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious, does the birthday friend have kids? Presumably most kids will be starting school around that date. Do most of these friends have kids roughly the same age as yours?

Most places school has already started by Labor Day. But I agree, it's strange timing for any families with kids.

[Anonymous]

Yes! Go!

—an elementary teacher and mom of teenagers

[Anonymous]

I think it really depends on the kid in person and how well you think s/he will handle it as well as how much experience your kid has had with structured educational environments. For example, a kid that attended preschool plus extended day (we're in FCPS with full day K) without problems and adjusts easily wouldn't concern me. Other situations would.

[Anonymous]

no I would not go. There is likely to be an open house type of thing that Thursday before, where you will meet the teachers etc. Then the excitement of the first day. Its a big deal to send your first (and only) child to kindergarten. Its a huge deal for the child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious, does the birthday friend have kids? Presumably most kids will be starting school around that date. Do most of these friends have kids roughly the same age as yours?

Most places school has already started by Labor Day. But I agree, it's strange timing for any families with kids.

Also more expensive than waiting one month and doing a long weekend then when beach houses are cheaper.