AITAH for Not Letting My Kid Stay Home From School for a Concert?

Parenting never comes with a manual, and just when you think you’ve got the hang of it, your kid drops a new dilemma in your lap. Last week, my 15-year-old begged to skip school because their favorite band was playing a “once-in-a-lifetime” weekday concert. I said no. Now I’m getting the silent treatment, side-eye from other parents, and even my spouse thinks I was too harsh. So I have to ask: Am I The A**hole here?

The Concert Ultimatum

It started innocently enough. My kid came home waving tickets they’d bought with babysitting money for a 4:30pm show on a Thursday. “We’ll only miss two periods!” they pleaded. The venue? An hour away. The headliner? A band they’ve loved since sixth grade. The catch? A math test and lab session they’d miss.

I asked all the logical questions: Could we go after school? (“They play first!”) Could they leave at lunch? (“School policy says no early dismissals for concerts!”) Had they considered the weekend show? (“Sold out in minutes!”) Their desperation was real, but so was my hesitation.

My Hardline Decision

Ultimately, I laid down the law: No skipping school for entertainment. I reminded them about their 87% math grade (“This test could bump you to an A!”) and how we’d already approved three mental health days this semester. When they argued “This is educational too!” (music appreciation?), I held firm.

The fallout was instant. Tears. Slamming doors. A dramatic “You NEVER let me do anything fun!” as they texted their friends to sell the ticket. My spouse gave me that look – the one that says “Pick your battles” – but I believed I was teaching responsibility.

The Parent Peer Pressure

Then the texts started rolling in from other moms. “We’re all letting our kids go!” “It’s just one day!” Even the normally strict dad next door said “Memories over metrics, man.” I learned that 12 kids from their grade were getting “sick” that day, with parental blessing.

Now I’m second-guessing. These are honors students with good attendance. The concert ends by 7pm – no all-night rager. My kid has never asked to skip before. Was this really the hill to die on? Or am I the only adult remembering that school is literally their job?

Educational Value Debate

Here’s where I might be the AH: I took my kid to a Broadway matinee last year on a school day because “theater is culture.” Is a rock concert different? Studies show music boosts creativity and reduces stress. The band in question writes poetic lyrics about social issues – hardly mindless pop.

But there’s also data on attendance gaps affecting grades, and this teacher’s email about “increasing class-cutting for non-essentials” stuck with me. If I cave, what’s next? Skipping for movie premieres? Gaming conventions? Where’s the line between enriching experience and entitlement?

Generational Perspective Clash

My parents would’ve laughed me out of the room for even asking. But today’s parenting trends emphasize “core memories” and “joyful childhoods.” TikTok shows families taking weeklong trips for concert tours – am I outdated for valuing routine?

Then again, I remember my college roommate who failed chemistry because her parents always prioritized “experiences” over academics. Now she’s paying off student loans for a degree she couldn’t use. Is that the extreme opposite, or a cautionary tale?

Finding Middle Ground

In hindsight, maybe I could’ve negotiated. Offer to drive them straight after school if they aced the math test? Record the concert for weekend viewing? Suggest a special dinner with the band’s music to soften the blow?

What stings most is my kid’s devastated “I just wanted to feel normal for once.” Were they really asking for permission to be carefree in a world of AP classes and college prep? Or was I right to show that commitments come before cravings?

Your Verdict Matters

So here’s where I need your honest take, fellow parents and rational humans: Was I the inflexible AH who robbed my kid of a milestone moment? Or the responsible parent holding the academic line? Maybe you’ve faced similar dilemmas with sports, travel, or family events.

Drop your judgment in the comments – but keep it civil! If this resonated, share your own “AITAH parenting moments” below. And if you’re team #ConcertOverClass, tell me how you’d handle the next request… because something tells me this isn’t over.