School's In. Vacations out?

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

16 Sep 2006 02:30 PM

When we send our kids back to school, we have a tacit understanding that it's going to be months before we'll be able to take off for a family vacation. Even the holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah and more are about family time so travel is often limited to visiting family destinations. But what if you get a great deal, what harm can it do to your kids to take them out of school for a week to take a family vacation? Is it sending them the wrong message? Are parents in danger of telling their kids that school isn't important?

Won't You Be Happy to Know...

... you are not sending the wrong message to your kids if you take them out of school for a week in their early elementary years to go on a family vacation. In fact, many experts agree that the time spent with family is far and above more valuable than a week missed in the classroom.

Parents can talk to teachers about what is on tap for learning that week and they can even take some homework assignments with them. But be sure to spread them out so the kids aren't having to do a ton of work, after all - a vacation shouldn't mean more work for your kids.

Vacations can be educational experiences unto themselves. When I was a kid, we went to Great Britain twice during the school year and twice I missed a few days of school. But when I came back, I was able to show the other kids my journal, photographs and offer lots in the way of cultural and historical information that I learned.

Educational & Family Time - What's Not To Love?

Enjoying time with your family and ensuring that the time is quality can do a world of good for a child's self-esteem, communication and emphasize the family bonds. In a world where we are always so worried about being too busy for our family, taking advantage of a good vacation price to spend time with your kids is not a bad thing.

So if you are interested in taking a family vacation this time of your year - talk to your kids' teachers and educators and see how it goes. I happen to agree with the experts and I think the pluses far outweigh the minuses. How about you?

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Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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