Playing Hooky with Mom's Permission

I decided to not wake my son up the last day of school before winter break. Rather than getting up and racing off to a day full of movies and sweets, he spent the day with extended family that he rarely has the opportunity to see. We went to the zoo, had lunch and laughed. It was not purely educational, nor was it necessary, but I can argue that the alternative was not educational or necessary either.

When is it okay to take your child out of school for skip-worthy events?

Family first
I am obviously of the camp that family is important and trumps all. When my oldest graduates from boot camp, his younger siblings will be there. If school interferes with once in a lifetime family events, then it will take a backseat. I am not advocating abusing this, but there are times when priorities have to be evaluated. My younger son was in the hospital for six weeks and his sister needed a few days off to visit here and there in order to maintain her mental health.

Ask questions
If your child is really struggling, then it is important to not disrupt his education if at all possible. Find out if any special projects are coming up, or if your child will be punished if they are not there. For example, find out the policies for your child's sports. If they miss a Friday, they may not be able to participate in the next game.

Younger the better
Children in junior high who are new to dealing with multiple teachers will often have a much harder time catching up on missed assignments than a younger child with a single teacher. With that said, high school children, especially those who maintain good grades, can often handle a missed day or two better than junior high students.

Ask, don't tell
This is a tricky line to walk. While I maintain that parents have the right to make decisions for their own children, teachers have a job to do and should be respected for the professionals they are. They need to be brought into the discussion. If you are planning an extended trip during the school year, you need to work with your child's teachers to make it a success. My kids know that I have to work twice as hard before and after vacation, so it is not such a surprise that they need to do the same.

Whether your family is taking a much anticipated vacation, or if your child simply needs a mental health day, there are times when it is appropriate to play hooky. As long as you keep the lines of communication open with the school and you are sure your child knows they are responsible for making up the work, then you can simply enjoy the "stolen" time together.

More by Sylvie Branch:
Play with Your Food and Other Family Dinner Table Advice
In-between Parenting: The Lost Tween Years
Preschool Communication Skills: Negotiating 101