Kids Should Be Allowed to Skip School to Have Some Fun

on October 26, 2011 at 10:15 AM

boy with backpack Remember when you were a kid (some of us may need to remember longer than others) and the idea of a day off of school was on par with Christmas morning, walking on the moon, or a day off of work (paid)? It was a big deal.

These days taking kids out of school for anything short of an extended hospital visit (outpatients can still make it by the second bell) gets a lot of grumbling and stink-eye from the district, the school, and those that would never do such a thing. It's frowned upon.

But it isn't some noble call to education that drives most of the naysayers, rather, it is the sad fact that schools make money by putting butts in seats. If a child is absent, then so too their allotted fundage. Schools, as we all know, need allotted fundage. And lots of it.

Which may make me sound like a jerk when I say that I don't let that stop me. I have no problem taking my kids out of school for a day of fun with the family or some other such treat. I'm a firm believer in real life experience trumping a day of new math anytime. Actually, I'm a firm believer in anything trumping a day of new math -- what was wrong with old math? Did it break?

But I digress.

Sure, I don't like the idea of a school losing money because my children are absent, but I also don't like the idea of my kids (or me) missing something special because it happens to fall on a Tuesday. Frankly, those memories are worth more than a butt in a seat.

If you're on the fence, consider an educational absence, or whatever terminology your state uses. Basically, if your child is missing X amount of days (again, depends on the state) and they are doing something you can spin as educational (my friend is doing this with a trip to Epcot), then the absences can be excused at no financial loss to the school. That's a win-win, people.

What do you think? Do you let your kids miss school for fun reasons?

Image via Whit Honea

About the author Whit Honea

is a writer living in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons. His writings and rants can be found all over the Internet. Some of it is worth reading. Some of it.

Filed Under: ask dad, education, elementary school, family

Comments (105)

momtolittleg

on Oct 26, 2011 at 10:26 AM

I have never heard that schools make money for having kids present. Around here, funding is based on the attendance on the 10th day of school. That sets the school's population numbers for the year, which is what the funds are based on. So, I guess if a bunch of kids are absent on the 10th day that would be bad, but daily attendance has never affected funding. Maybe it does in some places, but that wouldn't make fiscal sense for budgeting.

I'm a teacher, and I couldn't care less if you take your kids out for a few days. But I would appreciate it if you wouldn't lie about it and say they were sick when they weren't, and if you are going on a trip, ask me for some work for them while you travel, or if there's anything they need to make up when they return.

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Facebook comment from Leanne Carnegie

I agree. My son's school outlined the "approved" reasons for absense, since going everyday is just so *vital* to my kindergartener learning to count to 100! Pshaw! A day off every now and then is a good thing, in my book.

on Oct 26, 2011 at 10:29 AM

In CA, funding is linked to daily attendance. They're seriously crazy about it. I remember kids getting awards for "perfect attendance"... I figure that just means they have parents who work and send them to school regardless of illness. (I never got one of those awards! I enjoyed my family trips and playing hookey with my mom way more!).

amomonous

on Oct 26, 2011 at 10:31 AM

i have to say i agree...though my parents weren't big on it, i was. by the time i was in middle school, my mom was back to work and my dad was always off to work early. that meant, as long as i could fake my illness for the 30 minutes before they left for work, i could convince one of them to call the school, report my "illness" and i had the day off. i used that day to catch up on homework (yes in middle school i actually had to take a day off to catch up...too much work) and then i took a nap, enjoyed a snack, did some laundry...nothing excited, but definitely needed. i was able to finish out the rest of my week refreshed and less overwhelmed. i followed this tactic through until college...needless to say, that day off didnt stop me from chasing my dreams as i am living them out now!!

jagamama0710

on Oct 26, 2011 at 10:33 AM

I absolutely agree with you. I don't have any kids in school yet but if the situation arises, you bet your booty I'll keep them home for a day and I won't feel bad about it. I obviously won't do this all the time, but every now and then doesn't hurt.

Leelee1008

on Oct 26, 2011 at 10:35 AM

confession, I have taken my kids out of school for fun reasons, but they dont get many free days around here. they need their education.

D-Shi-85

on Oct 26, 2011 at 10:48 AM

My husband takes the boys out of school for a couple days every deer season. It's pretty much Man-Christmas in Texas, I'm almost surprised the state doesnt recognize it and give everyone time off.

Nonmember comment from Little Frogs

on Oct 26, 2011 at 10:54 AM

No! School is a kid's job and they shouldn't be missing school to do something that could be done on the weekend or over the summer or another break. Going to Epcot is not educational. Going to Disneyland can be done at another time. Parents who really value their child's education know this. There are rare exceptions to this: a once in a lifetime trip to China or Australia because Mom has to go for work. THAT is worth missing school for.. but not going hunting or the movies.

lehoffman

on Oct 26, 2011 at 10:59 AM

Some of my best memories are when my mom would wake me up in the morning and ask me if I wanted to skip school and go shopping in Chicago. It's not like my grades suffered and we bonded so much.

MaraJade27

My mom called/calls them "mental health days". I took them as a kid. Very rarely I took them off from work when I was about to explode. And now I'd love to let my kids have a "mental health day" once in a while too. But... my husband is in a custody battle so any day off is "like the worst thing ever". ::eye roll:: Kids need a break sometimes. They just do.