[FluffyOscar]

Wow how can you have time to know what other people are doing? I'm too busy trying to keep my own kids in line let alone anyone else's.

[Indi]

I think it is easier for kids if parent's are in sync with school rules. My kids are aware that I about the fact that they aren't allowed to jump in puddles at school or allowed to roll down the grass hill outside the classrooms though.

This. However you may not agree with me OP, my 4 yo unstacks the dishwasher.

[kaboo]

I tend to agree with you OP - but then I'm a hardarse when it comes to school. You don't get out of it unless you are practically dead LOL. It's probably easier if you are a SAHM to not send them as you don't have to worry about having to take a day off yourself I guess.

As for school rules I teach my kids that rules are there for a reason and even if it's a stupid rule (like you mustn't wear your jumper without a blazer etc) that's too bad because it's what we signed up for - literally, my kids and I have to sign a contract each year with the school.

Are all these kids the eldest/first child at school OP? I was much more wussy with my first, walking him to class for nearly 2 years. We joke that with #2 DH just slows down the car at the drop-off and kicks them out while still going LOL. I pity #4, we will be so over it by then LOL.

[liveworkplay]

There are rules throughout life - road rules, tax rules, employment rules, the law, to name a few. We all have to follow rules in life that we don't necessarily agree with or which we think are stupid.

Kids need to know that different places have different rules and sometimes, you just have to suck it up and follow the rules.

Well said.

EB is the only place I have ever heard the phrase "mental health day". My kids know that school (and daycare for the littly) are their "work" just like their Dad and Mum have to go to work. Sometimes we dont feel like it, but unless we are sick, we have to make the effort to go. This year is the first time my 8 year old will have a day off school without being sick as she has a medical appointment interstate and we are flying back on the monday.

[MakeLoveNotBacon]

I see nothing wrong with five mental health days at that age and older. Why is your mental health less important than physical?

If my child was upset and was comforted by me entering the classroom, then I would do it despite any rules. I went against my instincts once in a similar situation and regret it to this day, over a year later. I won't be assured by "they stop crying as soon as you go" because I've seen the opposite with my own child and other children. So balls to any rule that tells me I can't go into settle my child. Thankfully it hasn't happened though.

I made sure I found a school that was similar to my parenting so we didn't have to follow any rules I was strictly against.

[MakeLoveNotBacon]

EB is the only place I have ever heard the phrase "mental health day".

Many workplaces have mental health days because thankfully we recognize how important a healthy mind is these days.

[roses7]

I tend to agree with this, especially in FYOS. Going to school five days a week can be an enormous adjustment, especially for kids who haven't previously been in full-time daycare.

My son is in FYOS and a few of his little friends have had a day off here and there, just because they were getting so tired and overwhelmed.

I don't think mental health days should be abused, but I do think there's a place for them.

I can see your point. I can totally see myself giving the kids mental health days when they are older but for some reason I didn't think it was a good idea in FYOS. I guess I was wondering if giving them a nice day at home might make them less inclined to go to school so it might create a problem rather than solving one. I don't know why I feel like that, I've never been someone who made decisions based on avoiding future bad habits, I've always just done what felt right at the time.

Maybe I have to accept I am a product of my time. I went to school in the 1970s and early 80s with a working mum so we went to school unless we were dying

For those who question how I have time to wonder about other people's children, these are not random children in the playground, I actually know them very well. 2 of the kids don't go to the same school as DD, I know about them having days off because their parents told me. Don't you talk to your friends and family members about your children?

[missj]

I think you should butt out. You choose what rules for your family to follow and everyone else can do the same.

I agree with this (though I probably wouldn't use the words 'butt out', but i would say 'each to their own')

BTW, my DS1 is having a 'mental health day' today - first and last one for the term - I think he needed it. My DD had the option to as well, but she chose to go to school. I don't think I am a bad parent for giving him an extra day off to chill out after a very busy weekend.

I agree with teaching children to follow rules at school - the rules are there for good reason, and it is usually in everyone's best interest to follow them. I haven't seen any unreasonable rules at the school my kids attend, and they have no problem following them

[3_for_me]

I believe rules should be followed and for the most part wouldn't allow a day off other than for illness or some sort of important appointment.

But i'm a nasty hard-ass mum, my 2 year old helps unpack the dishwasher with one of her brothers while the other cleans their bathroom and all three have to make their own school/childcare lunch and put it in the fridge in the evening for the next day.

[liveworkplay]

Many workplaces have mental health days because thankfully we recognize how important a healthy mind is these days.

Well I must have had sh*tty workplaces then as I have never heard of it before.
I agree mental health is very important, but as I have read many many times on EB, giving a day off because your child (or you) has had a big weekend (as a PP stated) is not mental health to me. Your child is tired, schedule them less, don't let them miss school.

Working in highschools I can tell you, too many "mental health days" will not come across very well for your child and will not reflect well on you either.

This post has been edited by liveworkplay: 12/03/2012, 12:26 PM