My dad has been planning this camping trip since the beginning of the year. When he first proposed it I told him I thought it was a great idea. But now as the date approaches I realize we can't pull it off. I just started two jobs and we have no camping equipment what so ever. Then to top everything off my pre-schooler's last week of school is the same week he wants to go. I told him I didn't think we could pull it off finacially and now he just wants to take my pre-schooler on the trip. But one of my major points is that I don't want her to miss her last day of school. I know she is only in pre-school but she is part of the regular student body at a elementary school and she has made a lot of friends over the school year. She is my first kid so I don't know if I am being over protective or not. Should I let her go on a camping trip with her grandpa, which would probably be an excellent bonding experience or do I tell my dad no and let her finish out her last two days of school?
Hi V.,
Let her go :) Spending time with grandpa while camping is priceless. She will have many more last days of school that she will remember and enjoy.
i agree with the others about letting her go with grampa...the memories she'll make with him will last her a lifetime, whereas she won't remember the last day of school...good luck!
Yes!!! Let her go camping with Grandpa! Kids now-days don't get nearly enough exposure to nature. This is a great experience for both your daughter and your dad. As far as preschool, let her know that she needs to say "goodbye" for the summer on HER last day. She'll have so many more school days... she's only at the beginning. Some day she will truly cherish the time spent with Grandpa. My son LOVES going camping, fishing, hiking, etc. with my parents, and they have a wonderful relationship, something priceless which could never be replaced by friends or school. I hope you guys have a great summer!
E. G.
I think you just answered your own question in the last sentence of your request.
Trust me, your daughter spending time with her grandpa is far more important than the last day of pre-school. She won't remember much about pre-school as she gets older, she will however, remember a camping trip with her grandpa.
Family is always the most important :)
Do what you feel comfortable with. My personal experience is that I wish my Dad would want to spent time with his grandkids or even his kids. So you are lucky to have a Dad that wants to spend time as a family. Maybe he could push the trip back a week?
I am just wondering if you can't ask him to push back the start of the camping trip by two days. It seems like a reasonable request. My son is also in pre-school and I'd hate for him to miss the last two days (plus they do a graduation/end of year party).
Good Luck
L.
Just explain the situation to your dad. I am sure that he will understand and you can start the camping trip the day she gets out of school. If he is understanding, all will be fine
V., I think this is a situation that some of us go through especially trying to make the right decision for your children and their education as well as their relationships with family members. I am a family oriented person but I too had to make a decision about taking my preschooler out of school on the day she has to take pictures or book a flight to got to Illinois for her to bond with her father. Although I brought it to his attention about her class pictures and the day will collide with the flight, I decided that although she is part of the school body her relationship with her father will be more beneficial. Don't get me wrong education is important but it is the last day of school. She will still see her friends once school is out but her time with Grandpa may be more important. Grandparents are angels in disguise. Choose letting her go with her grandfather for the bonding experience. You can imagine what they will be talking about that he and she will cherish forever. He will and she will remember that moment.
Let him take her My sister in law just found out her Dad has less than 6 months to live and life is so short family should always come before anything else she wont even remember her last day of preschool grandpa is more special.
hi V.,
I think that all depends on your relationship and trust with your father, If he's good with kids and you trust him with her, IMO I'd let my Son go with his Grandpa in a heartbeat v.s going to school the last 2 days, If I didnt trust him I wouldnt but that would be a completely different issue. What ever you feel right about is what's important, I just know for me in raising my son, it's about what memories my son is going to have, and going on a Very Special Trip with a Very Special person (because he's special) is what's important to me. And your not just giving the opportunity for Great memories for your daughter, but for your dad too. Good luck with your decision.
I totally appreciate your situation! I have a 5 yr old daughter myself. I would take a treat to school for what would be your daughtres last day so that day will be memorable for your daughter with her new friends. Then let her go with her grandpa and have a fantastic time with him/bonding and since your dad has been planning this trip since the first of the year he wont feel as sad that you and your husband arent going too. Good luck and have a great day!
Hi V.,
Is there anyway that the trip can be postponed for one day?
As for camping equipment, does your dad have extra's? Being a grandparent, I am deprived of not seeing my grandsons, and if it meant not seeing them because of a school calendar, I would wait till the school ended for sure.
Grandparents are very flexable...I hope it works out that your kids don't have to miss such a wonderful opportunity...
Blessings,
CJ
I think I would let her miss the last week rather than miss a trip with her grandfather. She has 12 years of school ahead of her. 16 to 18 if she goes to college. Bonding with grandpa I think would be more important. You cant replace memories.
Wow...that's actually a pretty tough call. Will there be other camping trips or is this the only one that will ever happen? If this is a one and only experience, I'd say let her go camping because there will be at least 12 more "last day of school"s. If it were my pre-schooler, I would get her input. Put both scenarios to her, playing up the pros and cons of each (and not letting your personal choice bias your descriptions) and see which one appeals to her. Both situations will be memorable for her, but probably the camping trip will make for a better lifelong memory. Good luck making your choice!
which will be more meaningful long-term for her? My thought is, she'll have LOTS of last days of school. How many chances will she have to just be with her grandpa? Sounds like with two jobs you could use a few days off too with just a little less responsibility. Might even have time to do something really nice for yourself!
