Hellobee Boards Topic: Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?

Hellobee Boards Topic: Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 18:03:19 +0000 shellio on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2667791 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 23:03:51 +0000 shellio 2667791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Mrs. Blue: Thanks - looking for that cat in the hat movie now. My kids have done okay with Charlie Brown and there's the nostalgia element because DH and I of course watched them growing up - but they are SO NEGATIVE which I never realized, they call each other "stupid" and other mean things which we've tried to discourage. So we stick with Daniel Tiger and Dinosaur Train :) Mrs. Blue on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2667256 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 10:18:47 +0000 Mrs. Blue 2667256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @shellio: For holiday movies, my kids loved Cat and the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas from the time they were 2-ish and they also never have been scared of Charlie Brown Christmas. Regular movies...I'm trying to think if there are any they both really like and didn't get at all scared. I can't think of any full length movie they have both loved and weren't scared by. They like more tv shows than actual movies. pregnantbee on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2667182 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 06:34:38 +0000 pregnantbee 2667182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @mediagirl: I kinda wish I had kept him home on Fri. They did the same with PJs and same movie. I've never seen it. I knew he wouldn't watch it since all movies are scary to him, and I'm not paying a fortune to send him there so he can watch a screen. We can do that at home for free. At least they gave us plenty of notice, and I remembered to send him in pjs. He loved that part. He did something else while the rest watched. shellio on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2667164 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 00:25:00 +0000 shellio 2667164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @mediagirl: @Mrs. Blue: So glad there are others here whose kids are sensitive to movies... we have tried movie night in multiple settings and my kids (3, 5) are scared of everything. I definitely would have taken my kids out. BTW, if anyone has suggestions of non-scary movies I would appreciate it. The only show we've found with few (not zero) scary moments is Daniel Tiger. mrsmacandcheese on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2667155 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 22:16:43 +0000 mrsmacandcheese 2667155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I generally trust M's teachers with their chosen activities but they communicate well in advance so we're aware of what's up. ShootingStar on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2667108 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 20:14:20 +0000 ShootingStar 2667108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I haven't been in this situation yet. But I did watch this movie yesterday and there are definitely some scary parts. Except for the cute scene with the dancing waiters and the cocoa, the kids spend practically the entire movie in some sort of peril. My 3 year old was ok with it, but he's not super sensitive and we watched it with him. I could see a more sensitive kid being upset by the movie. lemondrop on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666802 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 02:17:07 +0000 lemondrop 2666802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Not unless it was a major issue. I wasn't allowed to go on a couple field trips in school and I was very sad about it. irene on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666770 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 21:00:00 +0000 irene 2666770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I haven't but I would be conflicted too if I were you. How could your school not tell you guys about the movie and pajamas? How old is your LO? Funny because literally a few moments ago I saw on FB, a friend of mine posted a picture where her daughter was in immense fear and hugging my friend and the title was "I didn't know polar express can be that scary". And she is almost 5. So there lol. My son (also almost 5) gets scared and was traumatized watching Finding Dory. We had to walk out midway because he was in tears. So I wonder what I would have done too. If I couldn't take him out of school, I would have had a furious talk with the daycare director about it. PawPrints on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666756 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 19:36:41 +0000 PawPrints 2666756@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I'd be severely annoyed if there were a situation like that with zero prior communication, but no I can't imagine we would ever take off work at the last minute for something like that. If I'm going to have to ask coworkers to cover for me and/or leave clients in the lurch with no notice, it's going to be for major illness or disaster. littlejoy on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666675 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 16:21:24 +0000 littlejoy 2666675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ It sounds like you made a good choice for your family ... I don't think I'd like to pay for a day of school, and have 1/2 of the awake time taken up by a movie (and for the reasons you mentioned). I am pretty adamant about no TV or screen time at school, but we found a school that agrees. The only thing I've ever intervened on was a pool party. I didn't have confidence that her teachers could watch all of the children safely at the splash pad/wading pool (even though I trust them!!), so I opted to join them. If I wasn't able to join, I would have just picked her up. Greentea on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666673 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 16:19:27 +0000 Greentea 2666673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @mediagirl: that's kind of rude of them to only tell some people, bummer! MrsSRS on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666639 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 15:30:48 +0000 MrsSRS 2666639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ What am odd movie choice. I teach at my kids' daycare, and our older classes watched Frosty or Rudolph or something like that. One of the short, classic ones. snowjewelz on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666565 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 13:48:56 +0000 snowjewelz 2666565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We didn't really want DD to trick or treat in costume, but Halloween fell on Monday and DD doesn't go on Mondays so we avoided the problem! travelingnanny on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666541 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 13:02:11 +0000 travelingnanny 2666541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Today my oldest NK had a movie/ PJ day but it was mentioned multiples times and stated in the news letter. I would have been annoyed if I wasn't informed via email or in person but it wouldn't have been a big deal. I don't think we were told what the movie was but I didn't ask because I know my bosses wouldn't care. Also, I think kids act different when they're not around their parents and they're around fellow peers. I wouldn't have pulled her but she's your child and you know her best :) The only example I can think of where some parents pull their children from the sex ed class but that's a whole different basket. Purpledaisy on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666494 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 11:35:29 +0000 Purpledaisy 2666494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Mrs. Pickle: In early elementary school there were some activities that my mom didn't let me participate in and I still remember them. Two that stick out are not getting to "trick or treat" with my kindergarten class and not getting to walk a couple of blocks away to watch an annual school parade in maybe 1st grade. I think it does make a big difference too if your LO was fine with leaving. I never wanted to leave and really wanted to participate. But also, you are the parent and you know your child best! My daughter is pretty sensitive so I can completely understand your choice. Freckles on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666448 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 10:40:49 +0000 Freckles 2666448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @lamariniere: I was just about to suggest that. I remember it was movie day and the class voted to watch Beauty and the Beast. She got really scared after 5 minutes so she went to the other class and napped with them. I haven't yet. It would be an inconvenience to take a day off at the last minute because of something unrelated to sickness. DD also has major FOMO so i think she would also be upset if we pulled her out during a fun day. lamariniere on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666444 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 10:35:14 +0000 lamariniere 2666444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ A few times, usually involving field trips when I thought they were too expensive (we pay for all extras) or otherwise inconvenient. Minus the pajamas, was there any way for her to go to a different classroom when the movie was on? My older LO is also very sensitive to films, so I wouldn't want him watching something new without one of us around. But at least at daycare, they would be able to put him in the little kid group during the film (assuming the little ones weren't watching it). travellingbee on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666438 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 10:27:50 +0000 travellingbee 2666438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My child is not sensitive at all so no, I can't foresee that happening. But you know your child. 808love on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666431 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 10:21:25 +0000 808love 2666431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I have a texting system called Remind that blocks my number. I can send group announcements or chat. I love it because I know all the parents got the message. No lost or missing reminders. At daycare age I would have pulled LO within reason. I've pulled my LO out of kinder for a flu shot. I think it was totally fine in your situation. Anagram on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666430 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 10:21:08 +0000 Anagram 2666430@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I haven't ever yet---but My husband and I also have fairly inflexible jobs, so we only would if it was something super major. Last school year, our older daughter was in daycare 3 days a week and home with the nanny 2 days. We often didn't get information that they would send home on the 2 days she wasn't there--so we had many days where we didn't know it was pajama day, or "wacky hair" day, or whatever. It didn't bother me or her. But my oldest is a pretty adaptable child. We did just have a huge situation in our town where our daughter's pre-school had a bus field trip. The day before LOs class was scheduled to go, another grade went and had a terrible (scary and unsafe) bus driver and the parent chaperones told all of our local parent group about it. I didn't read about it until the morning of the field trip and I was already almost to work. I did call my husband and nanny and make a plan B that if I didn't get good answers, I would keep LO home with the nanny that day. However, after I got in touch with LOs teacher, I found out the director was aware of the bad bus driver, had called the bus company and that driver was fired, and assured me they had new drivers who were vetted, etc etc. The director actually rode on my LOs bus and sent us email updates throughout the trip since so many parents were freaking out. Lots of parents pulled their kids that day, but their answers satisfied us so we let LO go and she had a blast. mediagirl on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666399 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 09:52:55 +0000 mediagirl 2666399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @kodybear: ahhh, to have teachers who communicate. :) kodybear on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666396 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 09:52:00 +0000 kodybear 2666396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Wow, we are in the exact same scenario. Today is PJ day, they're watching polar express and dd is really sensitive to movies. They did tell us prior tho and I would've been annoyed if they hadn't. I tried to watch it with her this last weekend but we only made it through about 30 min. So I told my concern to her teacher and her teacher said they'll send her to another class if she doesn't want to watch. As far as your original question, I am still sending her just because the teacher was very understanding about her sensitivity and dd is familiar with the other classes. I did think about not sending her tho looch on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666383 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 09:44:52 +0000 looch 2666383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @mediagirl: Hrm, I just looked it up and it's for ages 6 and above. That alone gives me pause. Usually what I like to do is watch the movie together, so I can explain any situations that are a bit tense...so yeah, I am in agreement with you on this one. I would have pulled my younger son out of daycare on this day. And he wouldn't have cared. My son loves one on one attention, he would pick that every day. daniellemybelle on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666377 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 09:42:08 +0000 daniellemybelle 2666377@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I would have brought her jammies to school in that case. LO is 3 and has seen The Polar Express. She's also pretty sensitive but I think it is less scary than pretty much every Disney movie! Edit to add: But, you are totally right to be unhappy that this wasn't communicated better! Both about the movie and the jammies. tlynne on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666375 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 09:41:38 +0000 tlynne 2666375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I have, several times for DS1 - at least in preschool, but mostly for field trips that I didn't think he could handle. Now that he is in K, I really haven't had him sit anything out. For DS2, our daycare also did a PJ day with a book exchange, special lunch, and a movie today, but at 18 mos, I don't think DS2 is really that interested, lol. mediagirl on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666373 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 09:41:12 +0000 mediagirl 2666373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Mrs. Pickle: that's really helpful to know your experience. I think this was a combination of the movie and being annoyed that we didn't know what was going on. I don't think we would keep her out of things when she gets to elementary school, but in daycare? Whatever. @LuLu Mom: he actually gave her the choice. He brought her jammies and said, "you can change into jammies or you and I can go to Marbles today for a fun day." She chose fun day. LuLu Mom on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666370 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 09:35:36 +0000 LuLu Mom 2666370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Hmmm I think I would have had DH run PJs up to the school instead of picking her up. Knowing my daughter she would not want to have missed something like this that the other kids were doing and she would be very upset making the "fun" day not so fun. I'd have told her "if the movie gets to scary tell the teacher." Mrs. Blue on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666368 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 09:34:03 +0000 Mrs. Blue 2666368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We haven't yet, but I get it. The boys get really scared of a lot of movies. There are very few actual movies that at some point they don't want me to turn off because they get scared. They have watched Polar Express, but the scenes where he's on the top of the train scared them a little bit, but we got through it. As for the pajama day thing, we had almost the same thing happen today. Their pre-k teacher sent out an email about it being pajama day today. Then at 6:30 this morning, she sent one that said it wasn't pajama day for the 3 year olds. We dropped them off at daycare (they walk them over to the pre-k when it's time) and most kids looked like their parents had gotten the last email and sent them in regular clothes, but there were a couple in pajamas. I hope they didn't feel uncomfortable being the only ones. The lack of organization makes me crazy. All that to say, I think as parents we get to choose what's best for our kids and if that means an impromptu daddy-daughter day, so be it! Mrs. Pickle on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666361 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 09:30:34 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2666361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I can't think of an activity at preschool would cause me to pick up my child, unless they were having a trampoline day or something. My parents often didn't let me participate in things at school and I hated the way it made me feel. The fact that they didn't send you an email or something ahead of time is annoying! mediagirl on "Have you ever kept your child from school b/c of an activity that was planned?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-kept-your-child-from-school-bc-of-an-activity-that-was-planned#post-2666360 Fri, 16 Dec 2016 09:29:36 +0000 mediagirl 2666360@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @looch: I use Common Sense Media as my guide and typically allow for a year of wiggle room on movies/TV when using their guide (they put Polar Express at 6 years old). I didn't like the amount of scariness they said was in it. :/