Taking kids out of school early for vacation.  

This takes me back to my Childhood days. Mom and dad used to take us on Vacation to a different country - usually Spain or Greece, and so, they used to try and plan for as close to the end of the summer break as they could, so that the heat in Spain or Greece wouldn't be too much for us.

If they couldn't book at just the right time to allow us to go back to school when everyone else did, they'd at least book so we only missed a day or two - never more than three days.

When we got older, we usually stayed at home and went off on little jaunts around the UK. One of my favorite vacations was one where we spent 2 weeks in a rented Cottage down in Cornwall on the South West Coast of Britain , proof that we didn't need to go to a different country to have fun - AND, we were back in time for the start of School.

here in the U.K we are allowed to take our kids out of school in term time for 10 days in any one accademic year. Bob and I have a rule with the girls. If the place we are going to visit is academically worth while, for example when we took Eskarena to Egypt to see the valley of the kings, or when we took them to New York, its ok, otherwise it has to be in holiday time.
blessed be, it seems to work for us

I do not work that way. I think school is more important than vacations. Come vaction time, that is the time to devote almost all time for vacation. But for the meantime that it is school days, the priority is school.

Well we adults are all guilty of playing at least a day of Hooky a year. So I give my girls that as well. I mean their own teachers will admit to taking a day off here and there just to relax or catch up on things at home, so why can't our children have that? I give them 2 days out of the school year to stay home, it's is almost always at the end of the year before they choose to use them if at all. By giving them break, I think it keeps them from burning out. Like you said, school puts a lot of pressure on kids now a days.

I totally agree with you!
I wont take my kids out of school just to go on vacation.
If we take a vacation we schedule it during one of the school breaks. Usually Spring break or summer vacation.
It does set a bad example for kids.
It teaches them that school does not need to be taken seriously and that you can blow of your education.
Even when my kids are sick I call the school and have the assignments they missed that day sent home so they can stay caught up.
I see parents here all the time that dont send their kids to school on half days because they think its a waste of time.
Since when is a childs education a waste of time?

We usually do our best to schedule our vacations around the kids' school schedule, but sometimes the school changes dates after we've already made reservations. In that case, we just get the assignments and do the best we can. As a general rule though, we don't pull the kids out for vacations.

I never take my kids out of school time, however saying that i booked a 7 day holiday for myself and my two kids in 3 weeks time, it works out that they will be missing for 5 school days, i seperated from my husband over 3 years ago, and i am the only person who provides for my childen and unfortunately when my kids to get there school vaccation it is my busiess period at work. However before i booked my flight i did go in and speak with my kids headmaster and their teacher to see that there would not be a problem and that the childen would not miss out on any exams, but i have however asked the teacher to give my eldest who's 9 homework to take away with her so she will not fall behind

I personally don't think it's that bad to take a child out of school for a week for a vacation. They can make it up later. I don't think it's teaching them that it's ok to skip school, as long as other days you make sure they always go, unless theyre sick or their is an emergency. I think that kids have it really hard as well, and we don't realize that. They need vacations as well. The only time it's a problem is in High school when there is a ton to make up.

The schools do not teach anything in a week that cannot be made up or caught up with. They seem to be studying for the proficiency tests most of the time anyway. Family vacations and events are important and it should be encouraged. We homeschool so that is never really an issue since we bascially school year round and can take time when we need to for sickness, vacation, whatever. Not alot of people do it so it is not something that is a danger for anyone.

I see no problem with this as long as it is not for an extended amount of time. Having your kids miss a couple days of school because of vacation is ok. I of course would check with their teacher first to be sure there were no tests, State exams, etc. Get the work they would do in class and make time to have my child complete this.
Sometimes at work parents cannot take the time off the kids get off due to several reasons.. so they have to plan what is next best.
I personally have been lucky and gotten time off when my daughter does-- but I see nothing wrong with parents who cant taking their kids out of school.