My daughter and her family are coming to the USA for three months, starting in June. As a result my, by then almost ten year old, grandson will be out of school for probably about a month.

When the family decided to do this they started discussions with the school to check that Lewis would be allowed such a long period off school and whether it might have a deleterious effect on his education.

I this case the school have quite happily allowed him the time out as they say that the educational value of such a trip far outweighs any schooling he will miss. He is on the top table for all his lessons and they feel that he is bright enough to pick up anything that he might miss. He's got two more school years before going to senior school and his teachers feel that now is just the right time for such a trip.

For responsible parents, who plan such time off with teachers, I don't think that there is a problem. For those who put their selfish want for a cheap trip abroad before their children's educative needs, maybe there is a need for a swift kick in the rear to remind them of their responsibilities. I have no sympathy for those who 'can't afford' to take their kids away during the summer holidays - what they are saying is that they can't afford the holiday they WANT. I think that, if you have children then maybe your own wants should go somewhere to the back of the queue - the kids 'sure as hell didn't ask to be here'.

There are plenty of things to do with kids in the summer, if you are so inclined. I was a single parent of two children - we could rarely get away for a holiday, but were able to take day trips and find stuff locally to do.