Mum shares the reason she lets her child take unofficial breaks from school once a month

Anna Martin

Some kids love school, others not so much, but one thing is for sure and that’s that getting an education is important and maybe that’s why one mother’s decision has been sparking fierce debate on TikTok.

In a video shared on the video platform, Noel LaPalomento’s six-year-old daughter could be sitting at home during a school day in September.

The caption of the clip which has been viewed over 7.5 million times read: “I told my daughter she can pick one day each month to stay home from school without being sick.”

While some parents weren’t for the practice, others called for it to be normalised commenting “Yes, yes, yes! Everyone needs a break. Kids are put through so much stress at such a young age.”

@_the1stnoelmind your business♬ Prada – cassö & RAYE & D-Block Europe

Another seemed to second this penning: “As a teacher, I absolutely love this! Let kids be kids. A mental health day of happiness and a date with mommy sounds awesome.”

Now Noel has appeared on Good Morning America to explain how she came up with the idea of letting her little one have a break and the impact it has had on her happiness.

“Last year, there [were] times she would literally come home from school, she’d be sleeping on the step before I could get her off, then she’d be sleeping in the hallway. It was like, the kid was a zombie,” she explained

“And then she comes home, and I don’t even have time to spend with my kid. I’m making dinner, trying to do homework [with her], and then it’s time for bed.”

After seeing the impact that attending school was having on her daughter’s mental health and overall happiness she decided to create a new rule.

“I know she’s good in school and she gets good grades, and she does all her work so she could stay home for a day. It’s not gonna hurt her,’ Noel explained.

And despite what some TikTok comments may have said, the proud mum said that her little breaks have helped to motivate her daughter to attend school – and the science backs her up.

Speaking on the American chat show, clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute in New York City, Dr Kimberly Alexander said that a break can be very restorative for kids who may be feeling under pressure or stressed.