I would just tell my husband he is free to go himself. Let him have some quality time one-on-one with his mother, and I would spin it that exact way to MIL.

Yes, I would. We pulled our pk out mid-September for a vacation with the schools blessing and it was no big deal. 6th grader, yes, for a big family one.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, unless it was something more than just a trip that could happen any other time.

Nope, MIL decided to take a week off and thought it would be nice to drive to Florida for the week. She could've taken another week off during the summer.

yeah, your MIL is quite inconsiderate. if she actually wanted your kids to go on this vacation with her, she would have planned the vacation to include them in a time when they weren't in school (and that she OKd w/ you). tell her no, sorry, the kids have school and can't miss (or send your H and younger kid but the 6th grader absolutely should not miss)

Anonymous wrote:No, unless it was something more than just a trip that could happen any other time.

Nope, MIL decided to take a week off and thought it would be nice to drive to Florida for the week. She could've taken another week off during the summer.

No, unless it was something more than just a trip that could happen any other time.

I'm a big proponent of missing school in general, but the 1st week, no.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would your mil book a vacation involving your family without your ok?

She always does this and it's very annoying.

Well, OP this is obviously an ongoing problem that you need to deal with and you might as well start now. Very kindly say no to this vacation.

I usually say no, if the timing doesn't work for us, it's DH who always tries to find a way to make it happen anyway so his mom won't be upset.

Absolutely not.

And if it were that important for Grandma to have the kids along, she should have asked you and DH about their school schedule - especially the 6th grader.

The first week of school is HUGE for kids - new, exciting, fresh, nervewracking, etc.

If you need to (just to keep the peace), tell your DH you've asked around and none of your friends would let their kids miss the first week of school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would your mil book a vacation involving your family without your ok?

She always does this and it's very annoying.

Well, OP this is obviously an ongoing problem that you need to deal with and you might as well start now. Very kindly say no to this vacation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the 6th grader starting in a new school?

Yes, she'll be starting middle school.

then no, not a good idea to miss the first week of school (esp middle school) at a new school. the class work they'll miss is usually not much the 1st week (i used to teach middle school) but socially the first week can be very important.

dont think its a problem at all for the pre k kid though

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 6th grader started middle school this year. The first week was SO HARD. She would have struggled so much more had she missed. Take the little kid and leave the 6th grader home.

That wouldn't be fair.

Life isn't fair.

No way would I take a week off for a random vacation at the start of any new school (K, middle, high). You are sending a strong message to the teacher as well - that is 5 unexcused absences for the year, in the first week of school. This is a no go, at least for your oldest.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the 6th grader starting in a new school?

Yes, she'll be starting middle school.

So. No, I wouldn't. Send your H with the Pre-K. That 1st week is so crazy, it would be fun to just focus on your daughter that week.

Pre-K, nothing is happening there that you can't miss.

Anonymous wrote:My 6th grader started middle school this year. The first week was SO HARD. She would have struggled so much more had she missed. Take the little kid and leave the 6th grader home.

That wouldn't be fair.

Anonymous wrote:Why would your mil book a vacation involving your family without your ok?

She always does this and it's very annoying.

My 6th grader started middle school this year. The first week was SO HARD. She would have struggled so much more had she missed. Take the little kid and leave the 6th grader home.