A mum was caught taking her kids away on holiday during term-time when her teacher noticed something amiss with their phone call.
The cash-strapped parent was determined to take her family away, but was unable to afford doing so outside of term-time.
Despite a strict ban on holidays when school is running, the mum went ahead with the holiday and pretended that her children were off sick.
"I have never ever lied about kids sickness before, I don't know why I did it this time, I guess money is tight," she wrote on Mumsnet.
"We worked hard to be able to afford the holiday, but still could not afford the holiday in half term, so we decided to take kids out of school for three days.
"I reported my children to have sickness. And off we went."
Unfortunately for the mum, she receive a school the day after heading abroad.
"I did not answer, just sent them a message instead," she explained. "But they replied that they got an international ringing tone. Ooops. I did not even reply to that.
"When we got back I got a letter suggesting I lied, that the kids were on holiday instead of home poorly, I didn't know what to do.
"I hate lying and I regret not telling the truth, but has it gone too far now to just admit I lied.
"I feel like a criminal, like I did something unspeakable. But I only allowed for my family to have a wonderful time together."
The anxious mum wondered if she should own up about what she did and take the fine, or double down on her lie.
In the comments fellow mums were quick to pour scorn upon her.
"I am not always against term time holidays in some circumstances but you take the chance of getting a fine and just pay it if you get one," one wrote.
"You have behaved very badly and given your children a very bad example."
Another condemned: "Yeah you should have just admitted it before you went and taken the risk of getting a fine. Instead you lied and that really isn’t good."
Another suggested the idea of lying was flawed from the off.
"Children are not very good at keeping secrets usually. They won’t question your children, but if they say 'how are you/are you feeling better', one of them in bound to slip up or be overheard telling their friends," they said.
Another mum weighed in: "You got caught out original poster. I'd own up if I were you and apologise.
"Trying to front it out and claim you weren't away when you clearly were will just ruin your relationship with the school and I doubt you want that. And don't lie in future."
Do you think the mum made a bad decision? Comment below.
