There’s been talk in the media recently of the detrimental effects of taking kids out of school during term time to go on holidays.
They say that school absenteeism is on the rise and the powers that be have advised against the practice.
Personally – and in my professional experience as a secondary school teacher – I feel it doesn’t do kids any harm to miss a week of school for a family holiday.
There are a few considerations to make, I suppose. Has the child attended well throughout the rest of the year?
If they’ve missed lots of term time already, missing more time might be ill-advised.
Generally speaking though, I don’t think it has any adverse effects on their long-term academic success to miss a sneaky week once in a blue moon.
In the UK, parents can get hefty fines if their kids miss school unnecessarily – including for holidays.
Last year, we went on a family holiday to Rhodes during term time. We had a fantastic time away and brought the kids to visit an acropolis and some other cool historical attractions while we were there.
I am firmly convinced that there’s a lot to learn outside of school. Holidays can broaden a child’s perspective in ways a classroom sometimes can’t.
My kids were none the worse off for that sneaky holiday week, but saw things they’d never seen before and enjoyed quality family time.
While chilling by the pool on that holiday, the English mum in the sun lounger beside me got a phone call.
As soon as she saw the name on the screen, she nearly leapt out of her bikini-clad skin. This piqued my curiosity, so naturally, I had a bit of an eavesdrop! It was her kids’ school on the phone.
She begged and pleaded and tried to explain, but the person on the line seemed to be having none of it. The mum eventually hung up and burst into tears.
Her husband, who had been playing in the pool with their kids, came out to see what all the commotion was about.
He turned as white as a ghost and they then hurried away with the kids to try to sort things out, I assume.
I would hate it if such a heavy-handed practice was rolled out here in Ireland.
The biggest draw for parents is the financial savings that can be made.
Travelling outside of school holidays can slash the cost of flights, accommodation, and attractions by hundreds or even thousands of euros.
For many families, particularly those on tight budgets or with multiple children, this can be the only way to afford a holiday at all.
Avoiding peak season is not just a little bit cheaper – it’s a fraction of the price! As well as that, tourist spots tend to be quieter during term time, making trips less stressful and more enjoyable.
There are fewer queues, better availability, and a more relaxed atmosphere – all of which can contribute to a more meaningful family experience.
Ultimately, whether or not to take children out of school for a holiday is a personal decision. If we opt to do so, we need to take some responsibility to ensure that the kids catch up on any missed learning and settle well back into the school routine.
It’s best to avoid exam periods and assessment weeks too. Like most parenting dilemmas, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ answer – only what works best for your child and your family.
Louise Flanagan is an admin of Letterkenny Babies facebook page and the author of the children’s book series, Dragonterra and Dream Beasts. www.dragonterra.ie
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