Need your input..please

[lilrosie]

This weekend I was with some friends, and we were talking about my familys cruise in Oct...well someone asked if my 2 sons would be missing school...I answered yes...4 days...that started it...I was getting bashed before I realized it...How could you take your kids out of school?!!! You of All people work for a school...You are messing with their education!!! and so on..I have never felt sooo low in my life....I tried to explain that I have already spoken with my oldest sons Guidance counselor...prearranged for him to get his work..his teachers are in agreement to prepare work for them (which they were eager to do...) I of all people know Teachers workloads...I made sure the dates will not interfere with FTE attendance days..or FCAT Testing...I am a Secretary to the Principal..I have to be there on those days myself....needless to say I left in Tears.....My whole family had to forgo any Vacation this summer because My School relocated to another location and My Husband was assigned a new position in his job and COULD NOT take off to vacation in the summer...So the teachers responded that my sons are having a chance in a lifetime..to go for it..Both are going to do a report for their history classes..My question is...Has anyone ever done this??? Am I a Terrible person for wanting to do this with my family??/

[elfed]

No, not at all Lilrosie. Family comes first. I mean who are these people to bash you? Are they more important than family? No way. I say Go For It -to heck what others may think or say.

Regards,

James.

[GottaCruz]

Wise teachers who have your sons' best interests at heart. I also believe that family is more important- you've got to make and cherish those special family moments while you can. Schoolwork can always be made up, just as you are doing. Don't let anyone put a crimp in your plans. Hugs, Cheryl

[jbond]

I don't understand where these people are coming from. Missing four days at school is going to ruin your son's education? Give me a break. So, if he gets sick and misses a week or two, he's lost his opportunity in life. Those folks need to get real.

Enjoy your vacation and let the small minded people worry about the unimportant things in life.

[Shari2]

lilrosie...

Don't worry what the others are saying. You have done everything you need to do, and the teachers even approve. In my opinion, kids will forget a lot of what they learn at school, but, when they travel and see other countries as they really are it's not something they forget. It's a great learning experience besides having time with their family. I did take my daughter out of school for a few days for two cruises, and it didn't hurt her a bit. She got A's, and was on the honor roll. She went on to get her Master's degree in accounting. She has never forgotten her cruises. Go for it!

[s73645]

Our kids missed the first two weeks of school a couple of years ago so that we could spend a month in Italy. Usually they only miss a week for vacations. They also get the occasional "I don't want to go to school" day.

Their grades have never suffered, and they often learn a few things as well as spending quality time as a family.

[Longboysfan]

And these are your friends.

Time for you to locate some new friends.

[jacketwatch]

:cool: I agree wholeheartedly with longboy. Friends, i.e. REAL friends don't take pot shots at you and leave you feeling miserable. If they could not see how there attutudes towards you were making you fell then deep six them! I'll bet they are jealous anyway. As for taking you children out of school for a mere 4 days this happens multiple times in all schools throughout the country. We've done it several times too. Its fine. How many kids miss 4 days per year due to illness or other reasons? You have probably done more to prepare for this than most parents so these so called friends should have realized the "homework" you put into this decision before making it. Go, relax, no worries. :cool:

[JoeyandDavid]

I must say it sounds to me as if you made an informed parental decision....

What more could a person ask? Good for you

[live2ski]

Go for it. Don't let other people ruin your plans. When we take our children on family vacations during the school year, we do the same thing - talk to the school and teachers. We get the homework done before we go. We have never had a problem. I think it's a great experience for the kids and the family.