POLL: Should kids be allowed to...

I don't have kids but I'd have to agree with you, especially if they aren't doing anything other than sitting at home.

Without going into a long diatribe.... I dont think it teaches the right lesson to the kids. I believe missing school should be for extreme circumstances only.

If your goal is to raise irresponsible, unemployable adults, skipping school unnecessarily is a good place to start.

No way. Kids is school unless they have lost a limb or are in the throws of malaria.

Public school sucks, they'd probably learn more talking to their relatives than sitting in class

I don't think taking them out for hair appts is okay though. I think it depends on the circumstance, and would think the parent would use discretion.

If they are keeping up good grades,
and are well behaved kids, wtf, why not give them a few precious days with family members. Those memories will stick around way longer than that day in school.

Why should they only be able to skip class if they are sick? Life is to enjoy. The family should take a long weekend at least once a year and go do something together. camping for example (not just during summer break). Helps the family bonding, creates lasting memories. These are kids, let them enjoy life now, because when we are adults it takes a different turn..

As adults do you slave away 5 days a week and only take off your vacation days and sick days? Or I should ask, have you taken a day off that didn't fall under those 2 exceptions?

CaribGator said:

If they are keeping up good grades,
and are well behaved kids, wtf, why not give them a few precious days with family members. Those memories will stick around way longer than that day in school.

Why should they only be able to skip class if they are sick? Life is to enjoy. The family should take a long weekend at least once a year and go do something together. camping for example (not just during summer break). Helps the family bonding, creates lasting memories. These are kids, let them enjoy life now, because when we are adults it takes a different turn..

As adults do you slave away 5 days a week and only take off your vacation days and sick days? Or I should ask, have you taken a day off that didn't fall under those 2 exceptions?

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What other kind of days are there... just not show up to work days?

CaribGator said:

Why should they only be able to skip class if they are sick? Life is to enjoy. The family should take a long weekend at least once a year and go do something together. camping for example (not just during summer break). Helps the family bonding, creates lasting memories. These are kids, let them enjoy life now, because when we are adults it takes a different turn..

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There's merit in those words. I'll go along with it to a degree. However, in general, we try not to have the kids miss school for anything - doctor visits are after school hours when possible. Our extended family typically doesn't visit during school days, unless they are covering for me and the wife taking a two-some vacation for a few days. It just doesn't align that there's a legitimate reason to have the kids miss school for the hell of it. Likewise, neither my wife, nor I, missed school for the hell of it. So, we're of the mindset that they go to school above all things. And others alluded to, it instills the right work ethic in them to not skip for the hell of it.

Funny story - for Sr. Day in high school where a bunch skipped and went to the beach for the day, I actually cleared it with my folks first. My sister on the other hand was frequently found at home during school hours. Often with several of her friends. We both turned out alright, I suppose. But she had more fun (and lost her scholarship at LSU for partying too much).

But back to your point - as kids, that's when you need to form memories with those relatives, as they may not always be around. I totally get that. With my family, nobody looked to pull us out to spend time, they scheduled time with us around school. Just how I was raised. And I don't feel short for memories with those relatives.

CaribGator said:

As adults do you slave away 5 days a week and only take off your vacation days and sick days? Or I should ask, have you taken a day off that didn't fall under those 2 exceptions?

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Oddly enough, the ONLY time I take days off from work for the hell of it is my birthday. I simply decided someone shouldn't have to work on their birthday. And I've extended that to take the day off with my wife for hers if she wants, but she typically works it anyways. Even on those occasions, I'm burning vacation time.

After managing to make it through my mid-20's to early-30's with a lot of hung-over barely-awake days at my desk for work....there's not a lot that will keep me away. I can suffer thru anything, just about. And if I do take a day off (kids school cancelled for snow, or too dangerous in winter to make it to work), I'm still using vacation time to cover missed hours.

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I luv ya, man. I do. I don't know if you're playing devil's advocate with your response or not. And I'm certainly not trying to argue with you. Your words are appreciated, and I had these thoughts to share in response.

I think I missed 2 days of school in my entire life. Was too sick to function both times. As it should be.

Mom left when I was 13. I went to school cause I could not miss football or basketball practice. After that I might take a day to catch up on laundry or something.

To each his own I guess.

Unless I was very sick, I was not allowed to stay home from school in elementary and middle school. However, I missed at least 10-15 days a year in high school. I used to take days off because I knew we were doing nothing important in each class and just said screw it (but typically with my parents blessings). Now, keep in mind, I graduated 1st in my class in high school (250-kids). Graduated with a ChemE degree from UF in 3.5-years, and I never went to class in college.

So, for the most part, yes, kids need to be in class. However, I believe it also depends on each student as well. If family is in town and my honor roll son wants to take a day to enjoy his grandparents while still possible, no problem. If my struggling child can't count, heck no - school time.

Just my $.02 worth.

TraskTrainJay26 said:

Public school sucks, they'd probably learn more talking to their relatives than sitting in class

I don't think taking them out for hair appts is okay though. I think it depends on the circumstance, and would think the parent would use discretion.

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Agreed on all accounts. Especially ridiculous to miss school for a hair cut. Unless she wants to be a stylist and that's considered OJT, ludicrous.

Coming into this late and will read after I post to where I stack up with the rest of your opinions.
I checked 'Avoid if at all possible'.
We have a 7 year old and we take school very seriously. He might miss a day or two if our vacations don't quite match up with winter or spring break (we'll also ask the teacher if there's any work he can do to make up for being gone); but if relatives are in town, that is no excuse to miss school. Tell the relatives to visit in the Summer time when school is out.

ExecutiveGator said:

To each his own I guess.

Unless I was very sick, I was not allowed to stay home from school in elementary and middle school. However, I missed at least 10-15 days a year in high school. I used to take days off because I knew we were doing nothing important in each class and just said screw it (but typically with my parents blessings). Now, keep in mind, I graduated 1st in my class in high school (250-kids). Graduated with a ChemE degree from UF in 3.5-years, and I never went to class in college.

So, for the most part, yes, kids need to be in class. However, I believe it also depends on each student as well. If family is in town and my honor roll son wants to take a day to enjoy his grandparents while still possible, no problem. If my struggling child can't count, heck no - school time.

Just my $.02 worth.

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You're like my brother, photographic memory I bet. He was valedictorian of his HS, slept in calculus class, and aced it. His classmates bought him a pillow as a gag gift (the teachers didn't think it was funny). He spent 4 years at the University of Illinois on scholarship and was 9 credits shy of a philosophy major at the end (without attending many classes I'm sure), and finished with a 4.0. He took a couple years off, got serious, got his accounting degree from Illinois (summa cum laude), and now he's one of the top CFOs in a big town in Texas.

This is much ado about nothing. If your kids are wired correctly and taught well, at home, missing a few or even several days of school is meaningless.

As a grandparent, I certainly don't expect my grandchildren to stay out of school when I visit. I always make sure the visit includes a weekend for fun and games, plus I enjoy assisting with homework and they seem to enjoy me doing so also.