Did this get your attention? When I visit discussion boards whether is be Disney or a cruise board this topic always gets to be one of the most heated. It even provokes some calm and non-emotional discussions in our family. Luckily we have a flexible school district that understands the importance of family time. There are a few considerations we take into account before deciding if it is worth taking the boys out of school:
Can we wait until school vacation? Sometimes it is just impossible. Given the varying schedules that families have in today's world, sometimes work gets in the way. I think cost is a valid reason for skipping school for some quality family time. Going on a cruise or to Disney on winter or spring break can cost a small fortune with airfare running close to $1800. Sometimes we use alternate methods of transportation for those times such as driving to a "close to home" port for a cruise. Or even driving the 20 hours to Florida. Heck ... sometimes it takes 20 hours to fly. On one of our last vacations it took us 15 hours to fly point to point with delays for what would have been an 8 hour drive. But I digress, my tirade on airlines will have to wait for another post.
How
can going to Disney or on a Cruise be educational? Well it can and it
is not much of a stretch. While on cruises my boys have learned to
speak Spanish in Mexico, visited Mayan ruins, had science lessons at
sea, went to an art auction learning about great artists, taken tours of
rain forests, and most importantly ... the correct procedure for
maximum speed on a water slide. OK you say ... I understand about
learning about different cultures .. but Disney ?!?! YES ... Epcot at
Walt Disney World is a wonderful place to learn about different
cultures. Did you know that there are 11 countries from around the world
represented? Each county has something where students can learn more;
whether it be an exhibit, attraction, or movie. Also each country is
staffed with exchange students from the host country. They are always
happy to talk about where they are from.
I
will leave you with this .... while in Alaska we took a day long tour
in Seward and the ranger at Fox Island in Kenai National Park made a
closing statement of his presentation during dinner… ‘I see a few
children here with their parents … we should thank them for bringing
them to see the wonders that nature has to offer … to see the vastness
and one of the last places in the world to see and feel the true
wilderness .. Especially with all the distractions these days for kids
.. you can not experience this with video games or even via the
Discovery Channel … the next generation needs to experience these
wonders so they can be preserved for future generations as well … we
should all give them a round of applause’ I had a tear in my eye when
he said this as it is how I felt .. being fortunate enough to share
this with my boys. It is something they will never forget. When I ask
them what their favorite part of the trip was .. they do not say the
pool or the arcade but they mention the whales, bears, and glaciers.
That was the point of bringing them while they were young.
So
if you are wondering if taking kids out of school to spend time with
the family and exploring the world is worth it ... my answer is YES.
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