Parent (heh) means they have no choice but to plan their holidays during the days off in the school roster. Tools like these are pretty much pointless if you can take a day off from work, but your kid is required to show up in school.
When I had younger children, we would just pull them from school on occasion. This did require a bit coordinating with homework, teachers etc, but they don't have to be in school. On a more serious note, schools are there to serve you, be assertive about your children being yours, they do not belong to the state (at least in the USA).
Yeah, that doesn't work in a lot of countries. I can be assertive all I want, but if I pull my child out of school without permission, I risk getting a call from the local child protection services and/or getting fined.
In the Netherlands (and other countries), you have something called "leerplicht" or obligatory education law, and have to ask the school for permission.
The school is allowed to make an exemption for a maximum of 10 days, above that you need to contact the school attendance officer. This can only be provided if the reason falls under some specific types.
If you want to take your children on a holiday outside the national holidays, you have to provide proof that this only a possibility during term time.
Parents don't always know best. There are countries where the child's right to education is seen as higher than the parent's right to do what they think is right.
I meant to be referring to pulling kids out of school randomly .. nothing to do with speeding. My comment appears to have ended up under the wrong post :)
If I could go on a 4-day week, I think I would choose Wednesday, drop the kids off at school, head to the mountains for a hike or skiing in winter, and pick them back up in the afternoon. Now, that would be the perfect work week :)
