Schools in = expensive holidays for us!

So this week my little girl starts school. To say she is excited is an understatement, she literally can’t wait for Thursday. She is lucky to be starting reception with lots of her friends from pre-school, I think this is going to make settling in for her so much easier which makes me feel less worried. Sofia is bursting with excitement, but mummy here is full of apprehension at her baby starting school and of course it’s mixed with excitement too….but I’m sure come Thursday there will be tears…not from her but from me!

Starting school is such a big step for any child and parent and there is so much to think about…I’m sure we are going to be met with lots of new rules and regulations from the school. I’m not against this and do think that it’s good for children to have to follow these rules at school. One I am going to struggle with as many parents do is the “not taking children out of school during term time for holidays”. I do on one hand agree with this, it’s important for them to be at school and not to miss vital study time, but does this really start when they are 4 and 5 years old?

Looking at holidays for next year I have to admit I did get quite a shock! You would think as I have been in travel for so many years now I would know just what happens to the price of holidays/ flights/ cruises during school holiday weeks. I’ve been talking to customers for years about it but I don’t think I ever really took it in as much as I did just a few days ago. Next year we’d like to take a family cruise, the first with our daughter. Royal Caribbean always a popular choice for families I thought I’d look at a ship sailing from Southampton for 2 weeks to the med….I priced up a balcony cabin for 3 of us, 2 adults and Sofia who will be 5….the cost was just short of £9000!! Free parking came with the offer but no drinks packages or on board credit. I for one was shocked and saddened that a cruise line I would have loved to have chosen for our first family cruise is way over what we can afford.

As a comparison I checked the same cruise, same ship but in September out of school holiday time, the price for the balcony cabin was £5500! £3500 less than in August!! Now that is a big difference for any family.

With Sofia starting school this year, as a family we now have some decisions to make…do we follow the rules and not take Sofia out of school during term time or do we break the rules and save nearly £4000??? We have a lot of talking to do!

What do you think? Have you taken your children out of school for a holiday? Do you think this rule is an important one and should be followed? I would love to hear your thoughts…..they may just help with our decision.

Thanks for reading as always Abbi x