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Anonymous wrote:My kids learned so much more visiting family in Europe last October than they would have learned sitting in a classroom. We visited 4 medieval castles. They reinforced their language skills. They experienced the cuisine, culture, architecture, etc. of their father's home country. The bonus was that they strengthened their relationship with their grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins.

We took them out for two weeks. I'm already planning next year's trip which will again require me to take them out of school. I don't travel to Scandinavia during school breaks because it's way too expensive. October is the cheapest time to travel there. All three kids are straight-A students and easily feel back into the routine when they returned and they did not backslide at all academically.

Selfish idiot. You tell yourself that. But, what you've also done is make the burden heavier on the teachers and negatively impact the other students who have to spend the time prepping for your child to be gone and then catching them up when they get back. Why don't you just homeschool??

^^STFU, you are just jealous that you can't take YOUR kids out for 2 week vacation. Heavier burden for the teachers and other students? GMAFB. YOU are the Idiot.

Wow - really struck a nerve with some of you idiots out there? And I actually can afford to do that kind of vacation - we just do it over the already provided breaks...or that thing called SUMMER? Every heard of it? Perfect opportunity to take your kids out.

And as to the person who said their teacher doesn't prep - maybe - but some do. And I hear from my kids all the time how they have to go slow and how every time the people who are out for weeks come back the teacher has to spend extra time catching them up. I'm not all that angry and bitter in general. My life is pretty damn good. But entitled people tend to bring out the piss and vinegar in me. But if you want your child to be entitled to - keep it up!

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Anonymous wrote:I'm more with OP, I don't have this lackadaisical attitude toward it. I get a couple days here and there or something really special that can't be done any other time (destination family wedding or something) but I would do my best to avoid taking them out of school.

I do think it sends a message to kids that school doesn't matter. I mean, if you are telling them that school is important and that it's important to try their best every day and to pay attention, this conflicts with that message, no?

And my kids are older now, so it's not like I'll realize later that elementary school wasn't that important. Actually the kids I knew whose parents used to take them out all the time (like for Disney trips, just because there were fewer crowds then) now are not all that serious about school.

I think it sends the message that there is more than one way to learn. School is one way. Traveling is another way.

Keep telling yourself that's why you do it.

I tell them that family is as important as school. It's about balance. Especially in elementary school. But I'm not a dogmatic person by nature. I can see how someone who is can't see this point the way I do

You have all summer and every break to be family. Why do you have to be family on school days?

DP here. Because the school isn’t in charge of me and when I decide to take vacations.

Actually they are. There are such things as truancy laws, and a student absent for a week or more for a family trip is truant. You just don't think the laws apply to you because you're UMC. They only apply to poor people.

This. How many times do you hear people complaining about lower income kids missing school? Maybe they are with family, maybe they traveled, maybe...whatever. All the DCUM crowd would say things such as: the parents don’t value education, the kids are falling behind, it’s not fair to the teachers. Look in the mirror, folks.

Nah. My kid isn't failing. And teachers don't help make up work for "excused" reasons like sickness. Kids are expected to keep pace even then. If my taking my DC out is problematic for a teacher, I'm sorry, I really don't care. You can name call and criticize but i don't. All jobs have their challenges.

So then it becomes the problem of the other students in the classroom and deteriorates the learning environment for everyone else when the teacher has to give your kid extra attention because he/she has been out for the last 10 days. You know, classroom norms, rules etc. If you don't care about them, why should your kid? At least you own your entitled selfish attitude.

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Anonymous wrote:I'm more with OP, I don't have this lackadaisical attitude toward it. I get a couple days here and there or something really special that can't be done any other time (destination family wedding or something) but I would do my best to avoid taking them out of school.

I do think it sends a message to kids that school doesn't matter. I mean, if you are telling them that school is important and that it's important to try their best every day and to pay attention, this conflicts with that message, no?

And my kids are older now, so it's not like I'll realize later that elementary school wasn't that important. Actually the kids I knew whose parents used to take them out all the time (like for Disney trips, just because there were fewer crowds then) now are not all that serious about school.

I think it sends the message that there is more than one way to learn. School is one way. Traveling is another way.

Keep telling yourself that's why you do it.

I tell them that family is as important as school. It's about balance. Especially in elementary school. But I'm not a dogmatic person by nature. I can see how someone who is can't see this point the way I do

You have all summer and every break to be family. Why do you have to be family on school days?

DP here. Because the school isn’t in charge of me and when I decide to take vacations.

Actually they are. There are such things as truancy laws, and a student absent for a week or more for a family trip is truant. You just don't think the laws apply to you because you're UMC. They only apply to poor people.

This. How many times do you hear people complaining about lower income kids missing school? Maybe they are with family, maybe they traveled, maybe...whatever. All the DCUM crowd would say things such as: the parents don’t value education, the kids are falling behind, it’s not fair to the teachers. Look in the mirror, folks.

Nah. My kid isn't failing. And teachers don't help make up work for "excused" reasons like sickness. Kids are expected to keep pace even then. If my taking my DC out is problematic for a teacher, I'm sorry, I really don't care. You can name call and criticize but i don't. All jobs have their challenges.

As long as kids grades are fine, I have no problem with it.

My in-laws have a timeshare at a nice ski resort. We can’t afford a week at this resort right at the base of the mountain on our own - nor would it be my chosen activity. But they bought it before any of their kids had kids and they love it. We may go for a week in Feb next year when my oldest is in kindergarten. Not my preference and I generally feel like OP. My mom was a teacher so I grew up only going on vacations during school breaks anyway.

Our school has a no homework until 3rd grade rule, so I will likely draw the line at missing school as 3rd grade as well. I will not let the kids “skip” school if they are behind grade level.

I would definitely let the kids miss school for a family wedding or funeral - or extend winter or spring vacation to visit family overseas. In our case it is a totally optional ski trip for grandparents they see 8-10 times a year including a week at the beach.

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Anonymous wrote:I'm more with OP, I don't have this lackadaisical attitude toward it. I get a couple days here and there or something really special that can't be done any other time (destination family wedding or something) but I would do my best to avoid taking them out of school.

I do think it sends a message to kids that school doesn't matter. I mean, if you are telling them that school is important and that it's important to try their best every day and to pay attention, this conflicts with that message, no?

And my kids are older now, so it's not like I'll realize later that elementary school wasn't that important. Actually the kids I knew whose parents used to take them out all the time (like for Disney trips, just because there were fewer crowds then) now are not all that serious about school.

I think it sends the message that there is more than one way to learn. School is one way. Traveling is another way.

Keep telling yourself that's why you do it.

I tell them that family is as important as school. It's about balance. Especially in elementary school. But I'm not a dogmatic person by nature. I can see how someone who is can't see this point the way I do

You have all summer and every break to be family. Why do you have to be family on school days?

DP here. Because the school isn’t in charge of me and when I decide to take vacations.

Actually they are. There are such things as truancy laws, and a student absent for a week or more for a family trip is truant. You just don't think the laws apply to you because you're UMC. They only apply to poor people.

Huh? I'm Indian and I travel back to India with the kids every other year and they are removed from school for 2-3 weeks. Somehow my kids still have perfect, (yes perfect grades, because school in the US is laughably easy) and I've never been accused of breaking the law, LOL!

Maybe school is hard for your kids, so you are struggling with wrapping your head around kids who can miss without issue? It is supeising how so many American kids are so behind.

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Anonymous wrote:I'm more with OP, I don't have this lackadaisical attitude toward it. I get a couple days here and there or something really special that can't be done any other time (destination family wedding or something) but I would do my best to avoid taking them out of school.

I do think it sends a message to kids that school doesn't matter. I mean, if you are telling them that school is important and that it's important to try their best every day and to pay attention, this conflicts with that message, no?

And my kids are older now, so it's not like I'll realize later that elementary school wasn't that important. Actually the kids I knew whose parents used to take them out all the time (like for Disney trips, just because there were fewer crowds then) now are not all that serious about school.

I think it sends the message that there is more than one way to learn. School is one way. Traveling is another way.

Keep telling yourself that's why you do it.

I tell them that family is as important as school. It's about balance. Especially in elementary school. But I'm not a dogmatic person by nature. I can see how someone who is can't see this point the way I do

You have all summer and every break to be family. Why do you have to be family on school days?

DP here. Because the school isn’t in charge of me and when I decide to take vacations.

Actually they are. There are such things as truancy laws, and a student absent for a week or more for a family trip is truant. You just don't think the laws apply to you because you're UMC. They only apply to poor people.

Truancy in DC is 25 days of missed schools, not a week!

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Anonymous wrote:I'm more with OP, I don't have this lackadaisical attitude toward it. I get a couple days here and there or something really special that can't be done any other time (destination family wedding or something) but I would do my best to avoid taking them out of school.

I do think it sends a message to kids that school doesn't matter. I mean, if you are telling them that school is important and that it's important to try their best every day and to pay attention, this conflicts with that message, no?

And my kids are older now, so it's not like I'll realize later that elementary school wasn't that important. Actually the kids I knew whose parents used to take them out all the time (like for Disney trips, just because there were fewer crowds then) now are not all that serious about school.

I think it sends the message that there is more than one way to learn. School is one way. Traveling is another way.

Keep telling yourself that's why you do it.

I tell them that family is as important as school. It's about balance. Especially in elementary school. But I'm not a dogmatic person by nature. I can see how someone who is can't see this point the way I do

You have all summer and every break to be family. Why do you have to be family on school days?

DP here. Because the school isn’t in charge of me and when I decide to take vacations.

Actually they are. There are such things as truancy laws, and a student absent for a week or more for a family trip is truant. You just don't think the laws apply to you because you're UMC. They only apply to poor people.

I was a poor kid who traveled abroad to visit family and missed school time. My parents absolutely could not afford to travel during peak season. I have no idea what school work I missed during that time. It made no difference at all in my life. I do, however, treasure those precious memories with my grandmother.

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Anonymous wrote:I'm more with OP, I don't have this lackadaisical attitude toward it. I get a couple days here and there or something really special that can't be done any other time (destination family wedding or something) but I would do my best to avoid taking them out of school.

I do think it sends a message to kids that school doesn't matter. I mean, if you are telling them that school is important and that it's important to try their best every day and to pay attention, this conflicts with that message, no?

And my kids are older now, so it's not like I'll realize later that elementary school wasn't that important. Actually the kids I knew whose parents used to take them out all the time (like for Disney trips, just because there were fewer crowds then) now are not all that serious about school.

I think it sends the message that there is more than one way to learn. School is one way. Traveling is another way.

Keep telling yourself that's why you do it.

I tell them that family is as important as school. It's about balance. Especially in elementary school. But I'm not a dogmatic person by nature. I can see how someone who is can't see this point the way I do

You have all summer and every break to be family. Why do you have to be family on school days?

DP here. Because the school isn’t in charge of me and when I decide to take vacations.

Actually they are. There are such things as truancy laws, and a student absent for a week or more for a family trip is truant. You just don't think the laws apply to you because you're UMC. They only apply to poor people.

Well . . . yeah. My kid is going to be fine, and a week of third grade isn't going to make one iota of difference n her life. So we'll continue to take those vacations.

Anonymous wrote:Up to a week of missed (total) for travel isn't a huge issue. It teaches kids that sometimes hard choices need to be made and when you have a job, somtimes the summers aren't good for travel.

More than a week though and that is a thin line between school matters but fun matters more.

I agree with the week being around the max I could ever tolerate. Over the past few years, my kids have had respiratory illnesses or the flu that has unexpectedly taken them out of school for a week at a time. You have to include a buffer like that in your schedule, especially if you are accounting for travel absences.

Up to a week of missed (total) for travel isn't a huge issue. It teaches kids that sometimes hard choices need to be made and when you have a job, somtimes the summers aren't good for travel.

More than a week though and that is a thin line between school matters but fun matters more.

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Anonymous wrote:I'm more with OP, I don't have this lackadaisical attitude toward it. I get a couple days here and there or something really special that can't be done any other time (destination family wedding or something) but I would do my best to avoid taking them out of school.

I do think it sends a message to kids that school doesn't matter. I mean, if you are telling them that school is important and that it's important to try their best every day and to pay attention, this conflicts with that message, no?

And my kids are older now, so it's not like I'll realize later that elementary school wasn't that important. Actually the kids I knew whose parents used to take them out all the time (like for Disney trips, just because there were fewer crowds then) now are not all that serious about school.

I think it sends the message that there is more than one way to learn. School is one way. Traveling is another way.

Keep telling yourself that's why you do it.

I tell them that family is as important as school. It's about balance. Especially in elementary school. But I'm not a dogmatic person by nature. I can see how someone who is can't see this point the way I do

You have all summer and every break to be family. Why do you have to be family on school days?

DP here. Because the school isn’t in charge of me and when I decide to take vacations.

Actually they are. There are such things as truancy laws, and a student absent for a week or more for a family trip is truant. You just don't think the laws apply to you because you're UMC. They only apply to poor people.

Well our school is nice and marks all of our travel as excused. If I were ever given any trouble I’d go private or homeschool. My kids, my rules.

Well said. This is how we see it, too.

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Anonymous wrote:I'm more with OP, I don't have this lackadaisical attitude toward it. I get a couple days here and there or something really special that can't be done any other time (destination family wedding or something) but I would do my best to avoid taking them out of school.

I do think it sends a message to kids that school doesn't matter. I mean, if you are telling them that school is important and that it's important to try their best every day and to pay attention, this conflicts with that message, no?

And my kids are older now, so it's not like I'll realize later that elementary school wasn't that important. Actually the kids I knew whose parents used to take them out all the time (like for Disney trips, just because there were fewer crowds then) now are not all that serious about school.

I think it sends the message that there is more than one way to learn. School is one way. Traveling is another way.

Keep telling yourself that's why you do it.

I tell them that family is as important as school. It's about balance. Especially in elementary school. But I'm not a dogmatic person by nature. I can see how someone who is can't see this point the way I do

You have all summer and every break to be family. Why do you have to be family on school days?

DP here. Because the school isn’t in charge of me and when I decide to take vacations.

Actually they are. There are such things as truancy laws, and a student absent for a week or more for a family trip is truant. You just don't think the laws apply to you because you're UMC. They only apply to poor people.

Well our school is nice and marks all of our travel as excused. If I were ever given any trouble I’d go private or homeschool. My kids, my rules.

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Anonymous wrote:I'm more with OP, I don't have this lackadaisical attitude toward it. I get a couple days here and there or something really special that can't be done any other time (destination family wedding or something) but I would do my best to avoid taking them out of school.

I do think it sends a message to kids that school doesn't matter. I mean, if you are telling them that school is important and that it's important to try their best every day and to pay attention, this conflicts with that message, no?

And my kids are older now, so it's not like I'll realize later that elementary school wasn't that important. Actually the kids I knew whose parents used to take them out all the time (like for Disney trips, just because there were fewer crowds then) now are not all that serious about school.

I think it sends the message that there is more than one way to learn. School is one way. Traveling is another way.

Keep telling yourself that's why you do it.

I tell them that family is as important as school. It's about balance. Especially in elementary school. But I'm not a dogmatic person by nature. I can see how someone who is can't see this point the way I do

You have all summer and every break to be family. Why do you have to be family on school days?

DP here. Because the school isn’t in charge of me and when I decide to take vacations.

Actually they are. There are such things as truancy laws, and a student absent for a week or more for a family trip is truant. You just don't think the laws apply to you because you're UMC. They only apply to poor people.

This. How many times do you hear people complaining about lower income kids missing school? Maybe they are with family, maybe they traveled, maybe...whatever. All the DCUM crowd would say things such as: the parents don’t value education, the kids are falling behind, it’s not fair to the teachers. Look in the mirror, folks.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm more with OP, I don't have this lackadaisical attitude toward it. I get a couple days here and there or something really special that can't be done any other time (destination family wedding or something) but I would do my best to avoid taking them out of school.

I do think it sends a message to kids that school doesn't matter. I mean, if you are telling them that school is important and that it's important to try their best every day and to pay attention, this conflicts with that message, no?

And my kids are older now, so it's not like I'll realize later that elementary school wasn't that important. Actually the kids I knew whose parents used to take them out all the time (like for Disney trips, just because there were fewer crowds then) now are not all that serious about school.

I think it sends the message that there is more than one way to learn. School is one way. Traveling is another way.

Keep telling yourself that's why you do it.

I tell them that family is as important as school. It's about balance. Especially in elementary school. But I'm not a dogmatic person by nature. I can see how someone who is can't see this point the way I do

You have all summer and every break to be family. Why do you have to be family on school days?

DP here. Because the school isn’t in charge of me and when I decide to take vacations.

Actually they are. There are such things as truancy laws, and a student absent for a week or more for a family trip is truant. You just don't think the laws apply to you because you're UMC. They only apply to poor people.