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Original poster

Do you take the day off work for DC's birthdays?

100 replies

Rosio · 12/10/2022 16:25

Just wondering what the norm is. My children are coming up 4 and 2 so still young, but DH has started a new job and we were making a note of holidays he needs to book and I first thought he should book both the DC birthdays off, but then thought 4 year old will be in nursery til 3 anyway.

Not sure what's best really, do you take the day off work on your children's birthdays?

OP posts:
SugerNiner · 12/10/2022 16:26

Nope. Do presents in the morning before they go to work.

Radiatorvalves · 12/10/2022 16:28

No! Do something after school or at weekends!

KeyboardBotherer · 12/10/2022 16:28

Nope. And since they're school-age, they'd be at school anyway.

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PeaceLily2000 · 12/10/2022 16:29

I would if they were not in school. I always take my own birthday off too as hate working on my bday.
My baby has a birthday just after Christmas which is pants but means they will always be off school and I am always off work

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 12/10/2022 16:29

No I mean when they are little they have no idea what date it is and when they are bigger they are at school anyway.

The only one I have every done this for is dd who is 23rd December so celebrating the weekend after doesn't really work so I've always had the day off, as had dh so that we can have a proper birthday day before Christmas starts. Except this year shall still be at school as they break up late all I'm not bothering and we will just go out on the evening I think.

Glowinglights · 12/10/2022 16:29

No, we’ve never taken days off for their birthday. Maybe we would if it’d fall during half term but that doesn’t apply to our birthdays.

TokyoSushi · 12/10/2022 16:30

I used to before school age, but not now.

AperolWhore · 12/10/2022 16:32

My mum used to book it off if it fell on a school day and take me out of school for the dat. We’d have a day just the two of us, it was fabulous and some of my best memories.

We took our daughter out of nursery and did something with her this year and I plan to continue the tradition.

ir you aren’t planning on taking them out of school then no, I wouldn’t book it off.

PinkButtercups · 12/10/2022 16:33

Yes and when DS starts school I wouldn't send him in on his birthday either.

That's my choice.

illiterato · 12/10/2022 16:34

No and until they were at school I’d just move their birthday to the nearest weekend.

LeafHunter · 12/10/2022 16:35

No

worriedatthistime · 12/10/2022 16:35

No generally didn't unless we were planning a day out but more often than not no day off

ScarlettOHaraHamiltonKennedyButler · 12/10/2022 16:35

My eldest's is during the summer holidays and we are usually off on holiday at that point however my youngests is during school term time so I don't see the point in taking a day off for it although I do usually finish early.

Cherrysherbet · 12/10/2022 16:36

I do. I like to be home for them on the morning, even if it’s just to see them off to school (I start work at 6:30 am usually). I’ve always done it.

BigBunkers · 12/10/2022 16:36

Before school age, yes I used to take it off and we’d go out for the day.

illiterato · 12/10/2022 16:36

Mine like being at school on their birthdays as can take in cake for the class.

Minikievs · 12/10/2022 16:36

I take the afternoon off so I can pick them up from school (primary aged DC, my secondary aged one falls in the holidays)

gogohmm · 12/10/2022 16:37

No, didn't know that was a thing. Until 3 they don't know the date anyway, we did something on a weekend

Chicci1 · 12/10/2022 16:38

Both myself and dh always take the dc’s birthdays off. First items in the annual leave calendar each year

TheYearOfSmallThings · 12/10/2022 16:38

No, I do cake after dinner on the day itself and party on the weekend.

Comedycook · 12/10/2022 16:38

PinkButtercups · 12/10/2022 16:33

Yes and when DS starts school I wouldn't send him in on his birthday either.

That's my choice.

That's a bit odd. Kids often love going to school on their birthday.

PinkButtercups · 12/10/2022 16:39

@Comedycook Hardly odd.

I don't know one kid that likes going to school on their birthday. It's quite sad really.

Comedycook · 12/10/2022 16:41

PinkButtercups · 12/10/2022 16:39

@Comedycook Hardly odd.

I don't know one kid that likes going to school on their birthday. It's quite sad really.

It's quite sad that you cannot comprehend a child enjoying school. As for it being your choice, I'm afraid school attendance doesn't quite work like that...but good luck.

ChickenRat · 12/10/2022 16:41

My mum always did but mine always fell during the Christmas holidays so I was never at school on my birthday, which possibly makes a difference.

I work from home and set my own hours so there's no need to take a day off as such, DH does take the kids birthdays off

PinkButtercups · 12/10/2022 16:42

@Comedycook it's one day dear. It's not the end of the world.