Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2 3 4

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:

snowbellsxox · 12/10/2022 17:41

Yes x

WalkingOnSonshine · 12/10/2022 17:43

No need, his falls when nursery is closed.

He LOVES cake so I do feel a bit sad that he can’t share that with his friends on his birthday this year (we’re away too).

So think I will have to send him in some for when we are back.

Im a summer baby and would have loved having my birthday in school one year.

Queuesarasarah · 12/10/2022 17:47

Usually both of us will plan an early finish (using TOIL or holiday hours) and go get the kids together, do something nice like have a birthday tea. Occasionally one of us has to work but always one of us is off from 3ish.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

4 year olds Events & celebrations Families

RosieBQ · 12/10/2022 17:50

I always have taken it off. When DS was nursery age, we took the day and went to paultons park, the zoo, legoland, etc.
This year was his first year being at school on his birthday but I still took the day off to make his cake, get the housework done and the food shopping done so we could spend the weekend playing with his new presents, welcoming family over to see him. I like making birthdays special for children, they only get so many until they’re old enough not to care anymore

Picturesintheclouds08 · 12/10/2022 17:58

I would if my dd was off school. If it was a school day, I would send her to school but I would take 2 hours annual leave so that I finish at 3pm and can do something with her.

AnnaTheMouse · 12/10/2022 18:00

I was a sahm till mine started preschool. I think dh did take the days off for our dcs. One of them has a birthday which always falls in holidays anyway, so he only had to take one day off. We wouldn't do it now both dcs are at school and I couldn't anyway as my work isn't that flexible.

roarfeckingroarr · 12/10/2022 18:01

Yes but he's pre school. I take my birthday off every year too.

Coffeaddict · 12/10/2022 18:02

Not intentially but DS bday falls on 26th December so always off anyway 💁‍♀️
Next baba is due at random time of year so will expect him to be in school / nursery on most of his birthdays. Will do presents at home at dinner and party at weekend

mondaytosunday · 12/10/2022 18:06

No never.

gingergiraffe · 12/10/2022 18:08

My birthday usually fell over the Easter holiday. When it came on a school day I was delighted. The class would sing Happy birthday and I got to choose a birthday card and generally felt special! Then the class would come home with me for a birthday tea. We lived very rurally so it was a quick walk across the fields to our farm. Admittedly, it was a very small class - only eight of us! I think having a birthday on a school day is fun. Two of mine have August birthdays and arranging a party, taking into consideration people’s holidays was always a mission.

FatPatsCat · 12/10/2022 18:21

I do

BakewellGin1 · 12/10/2022 18:25

I took the day off when they were pre school age and had a day out with them but once at nursery we did weekend day out, presents on the morning and a tea party/takeaway/tea out

Rover83 · 12/10/2022 18:31

I book the entire week off for each of my DCs birthdays and my own, means I'm free for a party of family get together at the weekend or just around on their birthday.

I'm a nurse and we get something like 8 weeks holiday, DH and I work opposite each other so I don't need any holiday care.

Comedycook · 12/10/2022 18:33

PinkButtercups · 12/10/2022 17:33

@OnlyFoolsnMothers ooo we're mum shaming. Wow, this site has got full of quite nasty people hasn't it.

Have a good day dear.

So someone politely disagreeing with you is nasty or mum shaming...righto

polkadotpixie · 12/10/2022 18:34

Not now he's at school, although I do finish early to pick him up and take him out for tea. I did when he was younger though

Beezknees · 12/10/2022 18:39

No. It falls during term time so he's at school, what's the point.

PAFMO · 12/10/2022 18:39

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.

So you can give it out but not take it?
Cross your mind ever that the other people on this thread whose children want to go to school on their birthdays (I'm another one, birthday was half term and I was jealous as hell that I never got to be celebrated at school) are a) also mums b) do things differently to you
So do one with your accusations of shaming.

Beezknees · 12/10/2022 18:41

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.

What, secondary school as well?

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 12/10/2022 18:42

No as at school. I sometimes take the afternoon to pick her up on time-usually at after school club and then she can come home and open her presents then we'll go for food or something

generalh · 12/10/2022 18:42

Hell no.

Sewannoying · 12/10/2022 18:44

Always. DD’s birthday is in the school holidays, so we go for a day trip as a family.

reluctantbrit · 12/10/2022 18:44

No. I may finish early or take 1/2 day off so I could collect early or was home after school to have cake together but that's. it.

Presents are done at breakfast anyway.

Next year DH and I will do it as she will have finished GCSE exams by then (mid-July birthday) and it's her 16th birthday and we will go away for the day.

pancakes222 · 12/10/2022 18:45

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)

We do this too x

FrankTheThunderbird · 12/10/2022 18:48

I did. But their birthdays were always in the holidays and I worked 16 hour days so wouldn't see them at all if I didn't.

If I'd worked 9-5 and they were at school for most of the day I probably would have worked like usual then done something special for dinner.

Rooma · 12/10/2022 18:50

Most years, yes but not to spend with DD! We lost DDs twin late in pregnancy so I tend to take the day off for myself. Allow myself some time to be sad so when she's home it's all about her. If I wasn't in my niche situation- then no I wouldn't

Flip

1 2 3 4

Swipe left for the next trending thread