The kids may not get a choice!

No, but they often have an opinion. I can remember not wanting to stay at home sick because we had biology that day. And parents choices are often based on what they think is best for the children.

It appears that the 'personal experiences' of many parents are allowing them to think that a week or two off from school is not going to impair their children too much. What I am saying is that the schools should be so good that the parents don't want their kids to miss a single day.