Would you let your child have a day off school to see you graduate?

thatgirlsam

It'll be payback for all the musical evenings I have sat through for hours waiting to see her strum 3 chords on a guitar!

goingsenile

I graduated with my Masters degree in November and it was a major thing for me to have my 7 year old daughter there- she had gone through the previous 3 years of mummy constrantly studying and being on the computer and I felt it was important for her to undertand that sometimes in life you need to give up things in the short term to gain in the longer term.

The school had no problem with it and actively encourage it as a great learning experince.

She took a small bag with her with a pen and notebook and a couple of small snacks and a drink and her camera- she had great fun taking all sorts of photos and I have some unusual memories of my special day!!!!

Can you not get an extra ticket for your son too? Also I hired my robes for an extra week (cost £20) as I got my photos done locally rather than pay the expensive prices for the ones through the Uni

Many congratulations and enjoy you special day with your family- you have worked hard for it:beer:

AJ

victory

Oh that is fantastic hope you all have a fab time and well done:T:T

babymoo

Without a doubt, then tell her you can't wait till you've swapped places! Well done you

Sparklyfairy

Hi there - my answer is YES! Actually we are in the same position - my dh just completed his mechENG @ B'ham City Univ & we have 2 primary school aged children. THERE WOULD BE NO WAY IN HELL I WOULDN'T TAKE THEM! To see him accept his diploma & experience it all - so so worth it! I would agrue with the school that the guidlines state that an absence SHOULD be granted as this event is a one off. If they are awkward, let them be awkward. If the council ring you, which they won't, explain to them the school's incapacity to understand the terms of the LA & excused absences. As it happens, my dh's falls during half term, so we don't have to jump through these hoops, but I wouldn't think twice if I had to. xx

msb5262

Hi OP,

I also think you should take your daughter. Be totally honest with the headteacher and politely request the day as authorised for a special family occasion, which it certainly is. Make sure you are very clear about the support your daughter has given you and tell them it will be a really important day for you both - it's going to be one of those very special days from the way you describe your daughter's attitude!

To the posters who don't think you should take her out of school, would you take your child out of school to see you get married if it had to be on a school day? Most people would say yes to that, and I'd just point out that a degree is for life whereas statistically speaking, a marriage isn't!

I think it's lovely that your daughter is so proud of you and you MUST take her along, even if you have to take it as unauthorised absence. Last year I wrote to my DD's headteacher requesting a day's leave so she could go to the Globe to see a Shakespeare production and against all precedents, it was authorised although the school has a policy to authorise NO holiday at all. Basically the head felt it was going to be educationally valuable and she agreed although I was ready to send my DD without authorisation. As she had good attendance, it wasn't a problem and I imagine you'll find the same situation with your daughter's school.

HTH

MsB

poet123

Absolutely yes, it is very motivational for her to see that you have got to this point. Well done and enjoy your day.

When one of my sons graduated (PGCE so there were a lot of mature students with families) there were two tickets per family for the ceremony proper, but it was transmitted live to another hall where more relatives could sit, because it wasn't live in there the kids could nip in and out without disturbing anyone. I thought it was a brilliant idea, maybe you could check if they are doing this kind of thing.

Spirit_2

Congratulations

If there are no age restrictions I would ask both children to come.

It will be milestone event for both of them. The photo's will be fantastic - you - in cap and gown with your children and your Mum.

Oh Wow.

Crispy_Ambulance

Congratulations! And I definitely think your daughter should go if she wants to. With regard to your son, it may be worth asking if there is any creche provided by the University? When I got my MPhil a few years ago, my daughter was too little to sit through the whole ceremony but there was a creche facility so she could come along for the event. My mum went and got her to see me getting my certificate and she shouted "Mummy!" and gave me a huge wave - it was really cute and I was really pleased she could see that part of it.

folkestonelisa

I graduated in July last year at the age of 41 and my 10 year old daughter and 19 year old son (hubby as well) would have been devestated if they hadnt come.

Daughter was so excited about it and couldnt wait. kept telling all her friends, their mums, the teachers and to cap it off for her we put her in my gown and hat and she had her picture taken, which she loved.

This has made her decide that shes going to oxford when shes old enough:rotfl:

It was a fantastic day and a perfect end to 3 years of hard slog :T

I gave her school plenty of warning and they were happy for me to take her out.