Hi! Newbie! First time taking my own children

[Daniellev]

First of all hi!

I’ve always gone to Florida as a child and can not wait to take my little ones. It’s now time to start planning 😬.

I have always browsed the Dibb for tips and hints when I used to travel with my parents and it has always proved useful so I thought I’d join to help me plan my own trip.

I’m planning to take my children (will be 2&4 and stepdaughter 16) in October 2020!

My first question is... am I crazy to take my first born out of school when it will be his first year? Will I regret it when he starts in September 2020 to then take him out a couple of weeks later?😳

We have been out of the school holidays as a child and I’m doing ok 😆.

I am a teacher myself and have always dreamed of going out of school holidays ha ha now I’m taking a few years break to raise my little ones I’d like to go at a quieter time.

Danielle x

[Jaspercat10]

Hi and welcome to the Dibb 😀

[GezzasGem]

We took our DD at 4 first 2 weeks November out of Reception and no trouble at all, the teachers were almost as excited as she was! Enjoy your planning 😊

[candycat75]

Hi and welcome

[Daniellev]

Thank you very much 😊

[wdw-wanderer]

I vaguely remember reading an article which said parents wouldn’t be fined if the child was under the age of 5, which is the statutory age to start full time education.
Maybe someone has further info on this?

[Lilly3580]

It's fi e to take children out of school before they reach the age of 5. If you can try to avoid the first week back I would just because the children will be forming friendships and adapting to school life.

[Chunky81]

Only you know your kids, and as a teacher you will know how long it can take some children to settle in to school/new routines.
If my wife wasn’t a teacher we would probably going in term as easier with my leave... but we can’t so stick to school holidays.
Happy plannning!

[Daniellev]

Thanks for the replies - you’re right!
He won’t be 5 until the March so I guess the fines are ok.

He isn’t great at settling in - that’s my main concern but I can see me having the child that cries for every drop off the whole year round. Always has done for nursery. So I’m thinking if he’s going to cry anyway I may aswell go for it 🙈