I have to start off with a disclaimer… my oldest son is five, so he’s just in senior kindergarten. You might want to speak to me in five years when I may have to revisit my opinion. However, I have a strong suspicion that it won’t change.
You may not realize it, but you have probably allowed your child to play hooky before. Your family vacation that didn’t take place over the Christmas or March break? That counts! And why shouldn’t we take the kids out for school for a nice family vacation that is outside of peek season? Quality family time, less crowds and cost are obvious benefits. The only negative is your kid missing a week or two of their lesson plan. Of course, if you’re organized enough, you can plan for all of that in advance with a little assistance and coordination from the teacher.
Recently, I took my son out of school for another reason. My husband has the American Holidays off, and since we were all home, we thought it would be fun to go to Canada’s Wonderland together. We knew the crowds would be minimal (it’s a “regular Monday” in Canada) and the weather was perfect. Besides, I have so many fond memories of my parents letting me play hooky from school so me and a friend could enjoy Wonderland on a “quieter” day. Besides, my son is only in SK, so what could he really miss out on in one day that we couldn’t teach him at a park?!?!
Clearly this is an exception, and I wouldn’t make it the norm. I won’t allow him to play hooky if he has an exam. But if he needs a day off to line up for tickets for his FAVOURITE band (please don’t let it be Justin Bieber) or for Maple Leafs Playoff tickets (ah, who am I kidding, that will never happen in his life time), I’d allow it!
By making it not cliché, I hope that it will have the same affect as legalizing marijuana. My kids would feel more comfortable coming to me and telling me what they are about to do instead of doing it behind my back. Or maybe I’m just completely out to lunch. I don’t know, but it’s a small risk I’m willing to take. Besides, adults get personal-leave days, so why shouldn’t kids. Stress related or not, there’s no harm to making an exception once in a while. Besides, I know that the memories they make while playing hooky to be with their family would be more memorable than what they will lose by not attending class for a few days.
Would you willingly let your kids play hooky?
I think memories and life experience trumps formal education any day so you keep doing what you are doing. Obviously I would never pull them on days when I knew they had important stuff but meh its SK
I remember playing hooky to go pick strawberries, yummy
That’s amazing!
you are the coolest mommy ever 🙂 But seriously I totally agree with you. If it isn’t an important day at school and time spent as a family can be had, then why not?! I never experienced that as a child but of course if the opportunity calls for it when my girls are in school, then I would do the same
There is nothing wrong with playing hookie,enjoy life