Do you get a guilty feeling if you pull your kids out of school?

[MrsPete]

Here's the caviat ~ the PARENTS are responsible for making a cruise educational. Simply going from beach to beach without any real interaction with the local population or tours is NOT what I would call an education.

 

I agree completely, but I think very few parents are concerned with making a cruise educational. Here's proof: Count the number of messages on these boards that deal with bar tabs and sneaking alcohol onboard, then count the number that deal with educational experiences -- you'll find a huge discrepancy in the numbers of posts! Of course, that wouldn't be fair because not all the people writing about alcohol are parents of young children.

 

On the positive side, I think many parents are concerned with having special, uninterrupted family time during their vacations. Not necessarily educational time, but family bonding time.

 

Once again, I think pulling a child out of school is not an ideal situation. (And I have not heard anyone argue differently -- no one has said, yes, pull them out even if you have the option of going in the summer, etc.) But each family has many things to juggle, and sometimes traveling during the school year is the best choice a family has available to them, given their individual situation.

[islandchicklet]

redi2cruz, great post. You are way better at saying what I am thinking than I am at saying it;) !

 

And as far as what kids miss in a week at school goes I wish they would be missing more because it would mean they were learning more.

[angelsx4]

I'm sure everyone has the best intentions of making their trip educational, I really do. But I also believe people tell themselves (and others) that so they feel better about taking their kids out of school.

 

However, I seriously don't think that the 1/2 hour talk you get about the Mayan Ruins, or the narration you get on the way to Dolphin Cove, or the 15 minute lecture on the Tribal House at Totem Bite is more valuable than a whole week of school? They ARE educational in that you learn something and see it...but just SEEING it and being there doesn't outweigh what you miss during the week of school. (I understand what is missed at school will be made up, but there is something of value of being in school when it is actually taught, rather than learning it while trying to catch up)

 

That tangible experience at ruins and taking in the smells and tastes and scenery of a foreign port does create however a lasting impression and memory. When that country or region is brought up again in a classroom setting those kids will be able to recall those memories and add on what they're learning in class. It will be set in their memories unlike just reading about it in a textbook. Try explaining what salt tastes like to someone who's never tasted it, try explaining another culture having never been there. You can catch up on math and reading logs, passing up great adventures and opportunities though, you can't catch up on that. My friend went to Russia back when it was the USSR. I don't think he regrets one second of that family trip.

[the4ofusandallourfriends]

Mrs. Pete, first off I respect your opinion. You are the only other person on this thread that has somewhat opposed this issue and have presented your side of the 'argument' in a fair and respectful way....

 

ALL teachers are stressed at some point. I've been teaching for 14 years, and I really like my job; however I've had a really difficult end of school and I've certainly been stressed for the last two weeks! Don't equate feeling stress occasionally with being a bad teacher.

 

I doubt this was in reference to you or the tremendous amount of stress teachers are truly under today....with all the problems in school today....I admire teachers today. Rather I think the comment was directed at a teacher being stressed because of making 'a packet' for a student.

 

 

I'm sure that SOME kids are exposed to great stuff like the rainforest (good for their families....... I don't buy the idea that most kids are coming back from a six-hour port visit with any real knowledge of another country's real life. If you think it's worthwhile to take your child on a cruise, do it. But don't rationalize it as an educational decision. A few families genuinely make it educational -- the vast majority do not.

 

I've already posted all the great educational things we've done in each port, so I won't post them again..but, really, most parents that frequent the cruise critic board and get involved in a discussion like this, do so because they are that type of parent....the type of parent that researches and prepares a great educational itineary. I spend hours researching each port, city and excursion to find the best experience for my family. Therefore, I believe your concern about this doesn't apply to most parents here.

 

 

My family travels to all sorts of places, and a cruise is one of our more expensive vacations!....... We often go camping, which costs next to nothing.

 

Again, we do those types of "vacations" too....we take our kids camping atleast twice while the weather cooperates.....and do cheap day trips during the summer doing all sorts of activities.

I treasure those vacations. They are great, but driving around, keeping kids busy in the car for hours, setting up a tent, cleaning, cooking, eating in restaurants, worrying about money.....is not a relaxing family vacation....but we still do it, mainly for the kids.

 

I don't think cruises are over-priced (our next cruise will be in October, and we're paying about $3000 for a balcony room, 7 days); however, other travel is certainly not out of the average family's price range!

 

Not everyone purchases a balcony. The 4 of us purchase the cheapest inside room available. If we can't find ridiculously cheap airfare, we drive 24 hrs. to Florida. We've paid less for our cruises than what it costs for 4 flights to an island.....plus add the price of hotels and food.......or what about a week at the 'education void' Disney???? crazy!

 

As far as I'm concerned, cruising offers the better bang for the buck....the whole family is relaxed and we make it educational...this is where we spend the money...on great excursions......not the beach. Personally, our family rarely spends one full day at the beach....the only place I ever did this was in Cozumel...otherwise it's just a stop during our activity filled day.

 

An opportunity has come up for me to go to Alaska. It happens to be during school. My daughter and I are going because my mother is helping us out with the cruise only portion. The 4 of us could never afford the airfare and the cruise to go there. Therefore, hubby and son are staying home.

For that trip, I have 4 educational excursions planned with my daughter, and I'm leaving her one day with grandma, so I can go kayaking with my sister.

 

I respect all the hard work teachers do, but I don't agree that they are THE most important teaching tool in my child's life .... Raising a well balanced, well rounded, aware, and happy adult will go further than any academic awards or "better" profession.....Also, unless people are making it up, it seems that most of the parents here have students with excellent grades. I know I had excellent grades going through school....as do my kids and the children of the friends we travel with. So far, it seems to be contributing to a great environment for my child to flourish in.

 

I just don't think that travelling during school, for a reasonable amount of time, is the issue here...it's parenting in general.

[the4ofusandallourfriends]

Just on a side note, my sister is now bringing her teenage daughter too, on this cruise to Alaska. We'll be 5 in our room now....Anyways, her daughter went and told the vice-principal today that she would be absent, and he thanked her for being so conscientious as he said most students never care to inform the school that they will be absent.

[the4ofusandallourfriends]

Okay, I promise to shut up after this one....but we did 2 cruises without kids. I was thinking that it wasn't until we actually brought our kids on our cruises that I realized the vast educational aspects of each port....

 

so, I could see how someone without kids would think otherwise...being kept busy by the alcohol and the sun.

[sblahars]

what does it mean: "so, I could see how someone without kids would think otherwise...being kept busy by the alcohol and the sun."

 

1) We don't drink

2) We don't lay out in the sun

3) We both have advanced degrees in each of our respective professions, (one of those advanced degrees is teaching) and neither of us see "vast educational aspects of each port"

 

Do you understand what VAST means?

 

Are you referring to buying Tanzanite?

Maybe learning how to bargin down the price with the local vendors?

Or maybe how to tip the tour guide?

 

I said before that I do believe there is educational value...but VAST? Come on.

 

Perhaps if you were to take a semester at that port at the local college, live with a family, participate in the customs, eat the food, learn the language, study the history, learn about art, listen to the music, etc. (much like a study abroad program) Then I WOULD agree of the VAST educational aspects. But the 1/2 day in port most of which is spent browsing the shops that sell all the same stuff you can get ANYWHERE and listening to your tourguide is hardly a VAST education.

 

If you really think you can get a VAST education in 1 day at a tourist town, then more power to you.

[sblahars]

Also...

 

you said:

 

"I spend hours researching each port, city and excursion to find the best experience for my family. "

 

 

my response to this is: experience != education (!= means not equal to)

 

Going to a baseball game is a great experience, but not all that educational.

Riding a roller coaster is a great experience, but not all that educational (unless you have someone like me, an engineer, explaining all the physics of it)

Eating dinner at a nice restaurant is a great experience, but not all that educational.

...I could go on and on

 

My point is, a great experience is not always a great education.

[sblahars]

One more thing to say (I'm up late because I was trying to help my wife on a computer program that is due tomorrow)

 

I'm starting to think I'd feel better if people just admitted that they take their kids out of school just because it is cheaper or less crowded, and not try to convince everyone how educational their cruise is.

 

That's all...

[2Cruise4Ever]

sblahars ~ I think you have completely missed the point. We don't take our kids out of school BECAUSE a cruise can be educational. None of us has stated that. We DO take our kids out of school because of the incredible price difference (I could care less about the crowds). And, no one said that every experience is educational. You absolutely refuse to respect others' opinions. And, am I blind? Did ANYONE say that they take their kids to the shops on every excursion? I don't recall anyone saying anything about taking the kids shopping. Geez, I can do that at home. And, I will tell you this: I have never listened to a 15 minute lecture on a bus. That I agree is not educational. However, I spent 3 days in Bermuda. I spent an entire day at the caverns and zoo. I spent another entire day visiting the locals that were NOT in the touristy shopping district so I could learn (GASP!!! I actually learned something on a cruise????? no way!!!) about their customs, culture, and education. If my son had been with me that time, he could have come home and written a full blown report about it without opening a single book. Could he have done that in a classroom? Not without a photographic memory. But, because of his experiences (which I believe is not equal to but greater than school), he can report on anything he's seen, felt, tasted, heard simply because it hit EVERY sense, not just by reading it in a book.

 

 

I agree that education is VERY, VERY important. However, missing 5 days of school does not make a serial killer or some washed-out psycho-path. I work with over 100 engineers (all of whom have at least a Master's Degree - over a dozen have PhD's.) I asked them this week about this topic. And, EVERY SINGLE ONE of them (those with kids and those without) fully supported everything we have been saying here. I respect your opinion, but you're in the minority here my friend. I believe you are arguing just for the sake of arguing at this point.

 

By the way, I have my master's degree as well

[sblahars]

Well...it is clear to me that everyone on here is going to tell themselves whatever they want to make themselves feel better. Perhaps I'm in the minority on this board because, lets face it, this is a cruise website, and whenever anyone suggests that someone NOT go on a cruise they get attacked.

 

But I'm not in the minority in the general public.

 

Everyone can keep rationalizing their decisions saying that their kids will do reports or research, etc...whatever, you know that once you get onboard you are just going to send your kids off to the kids activities so you can go to the spa or casino or bar...

 

And something else that has been bothering me about this. Don't you think it is kind of unfair to your kids to say: "We're going on vacation, but since you'll be missing school, you'll have to do work while we are there, sorry...I'm going to the the SPA!!!"

 

Or even worse: "We're going on vacation, but since you'll be missing school, you'll have to scramble like mad on the day we get back to finish all your work before monday, sorry...I'm going to the SPA!!!"

 

...poor kids...some vacation

[2Cruise4Ever]

This is the last thing that I will say to you: HOW DARE YOU! I was right: you are arguing just for the sake of arguing no matter you may offend. Parents have the right to raise their children the best that they see fit. BTW, I have never been to the spa whenever I'm with my kids. We plan to utilize the kid club ONE TIME so that my DH and I can actually have an adult conversation over dinner.

[sblahars]

blah blah blah...how dare i....blah blah blah...(putting it in capital letters....oh so effective)

 

No one is going to change my mind and I'm not going to change yours....

[Cruisin' Chick]

Just got back on computer after a few days off.

 

I figured Yetti didn't realize why she was being questioned so much: that others suspected she was sblahars.

 

I have to agree with island, 2 cruiser, sox about what they said. Yes, sometimes you have to choose other times to cruise because of your job, the finances, etc. And again, there's year-round schools and homeschooling in the mix too. And I'm glad others see the point I'm making about attentive parents. I was one of many mom chaperones on a field trip yesterday to the Getty Museum with our second graders. Mostly home-moms but the other mom from our class actually took the day off from work so Mrs. B wouldn't have just me representing our class. After we got back and the school bell rang, I walked out of the class and saw the girl who bullied my daughter this year pulling (I'm not kidding) her daughter off. From what I understand, she doesn't have a 9-5 job (either her own business or works her own hours, I'm not sure which) so she could have gone too, IMO.

On my child's last cruise, they made models of glaciers and solar systems. She got to view the glaciers. In Ketchikan, she saw totem poles first hand and learn a lot about them and even got to view a master working on a pole. Last week at our school's Open House, we visited the third grade classes to see what she would learn and who her teacher may be. During third grade they learn about American Indians so we were able to tell the teachers that she saw actual Alaskan totem poles and they were all thrilled.

 

Our room stewardess was Thai so my daughter greeted her with a bow and she was impressed. My daughter explained that her last teacher was originally from Korea (as were many of her classmates). So she was able to bring something she learned in school to a personal relationship during a cruise and next year will bring her cruise experience to the classroom. Isn't that great? And guess what, we never went to a beach in Alaska except to look at an eagle nesting with its eaglets!

 

And I have to agree with those who say that it is so different when you have children. Before child, hanging out with some close friends with a toddler, we would wonder about many things (for example, why it took so long for them to get out of the house...now I know). People without children or without an active child like ours, wonder why I don't want to get a babysitter so I can attend some function at night (my hubby works evenings so he's out).

 

Going on a cruise allows the two of us to spend time alone together because our d wants to go to the kids' program and do activities with the other kids. Some may be educational, some strictly fun, but she gets a lot out of the cruise experience too. She even enjoys the musical productions so she's looking forward to participating this summer in a musical theatre camp.

 

We're not going on a vacation this summer, cruise or anything else, because we're going on a two-week cruise in December (yes, during winter break) and are saving our pennies for that. We don't think it's unusual for a family deciding to take a cruise at other times of the year because summer cruises do run a bit higher. And it's not of our business. We won't feel guilty about the choices we make and we won't bug other people about theirs...which was the question asked in the original post.

[the4ofusandallourfriends]

this is a cruise website, and whenever anyone suggests that someone NOT go on a cruise they get attacked.

 

Again, as in all your posts (as yourself and Yetti), you will see that you have the same 1. attacking tone. 2. you do not answer peoples questions. 3. You spew the same 'motto' over and over again. 4. You directly insult people. 5. You completely misrepresent what you read. You only see what YOU want to see....all aspects of your personality. You have no credibility with me. If you want tips on presenting a fair arguement....look over Mrs. Pete's posts.

 

This thread is a discussion about the different aspects of cruising with kids...It is not about YOU and how to make YOUR cruise experience more comfortable...nor about insulting hard working teachers, or promoting truancy.

 

Would it really make you feel better if we say: "you win"?

[sblahars]

what questions have I not answered that need answering?

[2Cruise4Ever]

Again, as in all your posts (as yourself and Yetti), you will see that you have the same 1. attacking tone. 2. you do not answer peoples questions. 3. You spew the same 'motto' over and over again. 4. You directly insult people. 5. You completely misrepresent what you read. You only see what YOU want to see....all aspects of your personality. You have no credibility with me. If you want tips on presenting a fair arguement....look over Mrs. Pete's posts.

 

This thread is a discussion about the different aspects of cruising with kids...It is not about YOU and how to make YOUR cruise experience more comfortable...nor about insulting hard working teachers, or promoting truancy.

 

Would it really make you feel better if we say: "you win"?

 

4ofus ~ very well articulated. The only reason he continues to post is to egg us on and get us all riled up about how we raise our kids. I suggest we not pay any attention to him; just to each other. I have considered everything he has said as rude, uncouth, and full of judgements. Who needs that? I have immense respect for everyone who has posted here, but him. Have you noticed that some of his posts have been pulled? That should be an indication as to how cruel he really is. I will no longer address his posts.

 

Now, to answer the OP's question: No, I do not feel guilty pulling my kids out of school when we go on a family vacation (whether it be cruise or anything else). If I didn't we would have no vacation at all. The experiences they have by visiting other countries far outweighs anything they could possibly learn in a classroom. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it :)

[sblahars]

Yep, I'm sure doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, accountants, etc etc etc learned everything from cruises. Because:

 

"The experiences they have by visiting other countries far outweighs anything they could possibly learn in a classroom"

 

I hope that if I ever have surgery, my doctor learned things in the classroom.

 

I hope that next time I'm on an airplane, the engineer who designed it actually spent time in a classroom.

 

It is almost like those hotel commercials where someone is performing brain surgery and he says, "No, I'm not a doctor, but I did stay at a H****** Inn Express last night!!"

 

"No, I didn't actually go to medical school, but I visited other countries, because what I learned there FAR outweights anything I could have POSSIBLY learned in the classroom"

[jfishe]

Wow - quite the number of posts on this topic... an interesting note, my son, a junior in high school, just missed 4 days of regular school to go and be an outdoor camp counselor for an elementary class. His high school teachers recommended him and he has a ton of schoolwork to turn in (2 honors classes and plays varsity sports). Sooooo.... what's the difference between missing school for a vacation (that hopefully parents will show their kids some culture) or missing school for another activity like a camp counselor ??? I think the decision should be between the parents and the child, and dependent on many many factors.

[angelsx4]

The problem here is, a question was asked, "Do you get a guilty feeling if you pull your kids out of school?" Sblahars came on, never answering the question whether he does or doesn't feel guilty. I see no experience here in sblahars responses in the matter. Instead he's come on here and thrown out judgments and calling people names. Isn't that what a troll is? Or is he just someone who has nothing else to do and is trying to beef up his number of posts? :cool:

[sblahars]

Interesting...accusing me of calling people names is a little like the pot calling the kettle black.

 

I've been called all kinds of names on this thread...so don't get all high and mighty because plenty of others on this thread have called me names

[cruisinqt]

I also want to ask:

 

Does everyone on here truly believe that a cruise is that educational?

 

I'm not being sarcastic, I just want to know if you are saying that to counter my arguments, or if you really believe that?

 

 

I responded to you earlier explaining to you how cruise lines are making the kids centers more educational, but you never responded. Was it perhaps because you didn't agree? Or did you not believe what I said? I think what I said is worth repeating. ( By the way, just look up cruising with kids here at CC and there's tons of info. on all of the educational things cruise lines are incorporating into their kids centers.)

 

REASONS WHY I THINK CRUISING IS EDUCATIONAl:

 

1. All of the workers in the kids centers have a degree in some child related field such as teaching or child psychology and they put it to good use.

 

2. There is a big trend among the child friendly cruise lines towards teaching the kids things that are educational and setting up a fun but educational curriculum for them ahead of time.

 

3. My kids have made native american wind catchers and learned about native americans while in the kids center. ( Carnival)

 

4. My kids have learned about the mayan indians and made manyan ruins with paper mache while in the kids center. ( Royal Caribbean )

 

5. My kids helped build a volcano and make it explode while in the kids center. ( NCL. ) This educational activity is often done in schools too. ( I could go on about the educational activities they've done but I think you get the idea.)

 

6. Carnival and several other cruise lines are now instituting a reading program where kids read daily or are read to daily while in the kids center.

 

I think the point I am trying to make here is that the kids centers are starting to become more and more educational. :) Yes, they have occasional pizza parties and ice-cream parties and it isn't learning all of the time. But they most definitely do learn things from the professionals who watch them in the kids centers. Your question was: "DOES EVERYONE HERE TRULY BELIEVE THAT A CRUISE IS EDUCATIONAL?" My answer is a resounding YES! A cruise is definitely educational. The teachers and other qualified professionals in the kids centers have definitely taught my kids some very interesting and educational things.

 

You put down those who try to educate their kids while in port saying that those few hours while in port don't amount to anything. :cool: But the kids spend an entire week in the kids center and they learn quite a bit there from qualified professionals. If you couple this with educational outings while in port, I would say with some degree of certainty that the kids do indeed get an education while in port, especially if the parents help make the ports educational.

[sblahars]

It isn't that I don't believe that you don't have the best of intentions, I just think it is wrong.

 

I'm getting bored with this thread...lets all call it a truce and agree to disagree....agreed?

[familycruzer]

It isn't that I don't believe that you don't have the best of intentions, I just think it is wrong.

 

I'm getting bored with this thread...lets all call it a truce and agree to disagree....agreed?

 

I am happy you are bored with this thread. Without you around we can all have a discussion about education and cruising with children. Mrs Pete does not agree with everything that has been discussed but I enjoyed reading her posts because they were well thought out and interesting. Not once did she bash a parent.

[2Cruise4Ever]

cruisinqt ~ I'm glad to hear that cruise lines are putting together more curriculum than just fun activities. Have you ever cruised NCL? We're traveling on the Dawn next Sunday and if their kid club program has more educational activities then I may allow my kids to spend a little more time there. I bought several activity books and educational things at the teacher's store near my home to be able to do on the cruise (well, obviously I want them to have fun, too ~ that's what Port Canaveral is for - we're going to Disney that day). But, I'd like to see what other NCL employees from other countries may come up with in the kid club. Any input from you or others who have children and have gone with NCL in the past would be helpful.

 

 

Thanks!