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

[Rosio]

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?

Never! Not even when little. 14.5 and 17.11 now.

If it's in the school holidays/they're young enough to not be in school yes I do, once they hit school I try and negotiate a half day to pick them up from school and do a special dinner

No. I work in a school. Couldn't if I wanted to. Luckily they're happy to go on their birthdays and see friends. We do celebrations at the weekend.

I'm a teacher, I'd be told to fuck off if I asked.

I don't really understand the logic of taking them out of school. Most children I know have a nice day of taking cake into nursery/school and being the one who gets a fuss of them there, and then they have a lovely family day altogether at the weekend to celebrate. Doing the family day instead of celebrating with their school friends rather than as well as doesn't seem like a gain to me.

My birthday always fell in half term and, like your DD, I always wished it would fall on a school day instead. Then one year it did! What a disappointment it turned out to be and definitely not better in my then under 10-opinion 😂 As an adult, being at work on my birthday (even if I get given cake, am sung Happy Birthday, and give out sweets to my colleagues) definitely isn't better than being off doing something nice, so why would it be for children?
Although I wouldn't (and haven't) take my DC out of school for the day, I don't think it teaches them bad lessons really - many adults book their birthday off work, so it isn't much different.

OP, we always took the day off to be with the DC before they were school age. Now we all have a special breakfast of choice together and present opening before school, then both me and DH finish work early so we can go for something to eat/celebrate at home together after school.

Eldest we did and do as his in school holidays every year
Youngest not now hes in school he cant wait to have his bday with friends and bring sweets for everyone

I haven't needed too yet. At 1 I was still on maternity, 2nd she was ill so we were all off anyway. 3rd was a Saturday and 4th will be a Sunday.

Next year when she's at school it will be a Monday. I will book half a day or flex a couple of hours so I can pick her up from school and take her out for cake or some other treat. A whole day seems overkill when she'll be at school from 9-3 anyway.

@PAFMO 🤣

Because kids aren’t all the same. My kids liked being at school on their birthday sometimes, not others. At secondary, you don’t really get a fuss made of you, but you do get punches to the arm if you’re a boy at my sons school so sometimes he avoided that. 😂 My daughter hates being centre of attention so being made a fuss of by others, especially at school, is something she’ll avoid where possible.

@Comedycook we have different opinions.. that's fine.

Never have, but my dc had a surprising number of "birthdays" on a weekend until they went to school.

No, but until they were old enough to know the date I just told them their birthday was whichever day at the weekend we were having a party.

Because of when DDs birthday is she has only ha one school day birthday in her 11 years, I usually take it off work. When she was at school for the day I think I had an early finish so I could be home with her in the evening (I work 7/8-6)

As an adult, being at work on my birthday (even if I get given cake, am sung Happy Birthday, and give out sweets to my colleagues) definitely isn't better than being off doing something nice, so why would it be for children? Although I wouldn't (and haven't) take my DC out of school for the day, I don't think it teaches them bad lessons really - many adults book their birthday off work, so it isn't much different

bizarre analogy- does any adult like work the way a young child likes school?! I also don’t get excited about Christmas and Santa.

I used to when they were nursery age, but not now they're school age. I finish work in time to pick them up from school though and am around in the morning to open presents. If I had a job where I couldn't do this I'd take leave / finish early.

No because it's fun for them to celebrate at nursery

I'm really sorry for your loss

It's my lads 11th birthday tomorrow (it's mine today by the way 🎉) and he cannot wait to go! We've had to get buns for the class and he can't wait to feel like the special one for the day! I always booked it off before he started school though and we do make a big fuss every year after work now!

Personally, I wouldn't keep him off school but if a kid is happier being at home for it than going then honestly I don't really see the harm but then I take my kid out of school for holidays so horses for courses!

I prefer work than school. One of mine doesn't enjoy school at all so I hope he also enjoys working more!

Before they start school I take the day off if it falls on a working day. Once they are at school I just work a half day so I can be there before they leave and when they get home.

I also get pretty excited for Christmas. It is my favourite time of the year!

I do for my DD (currently 11) as her birthday is in August.

I didn't for my DSs if their birthday fell on a school day. If it was school holiday or weekend (NHS so rota across 7 days) then yes I did while they were young.

I used to, now i just take a half day and work at home so i can take them/pick them up from school. Their birthdays sometimes fall in school holidays so take those days off.

Not bizarre at all: I like work much more than I ever liked school. My eldest DC isn't a fan of school either so, like a PP, I certainly hope she has more success finding enjoyment in the world of work. I also get excited by Christmas (less so Santa now I am too old to be brought gifts by him) - I guess we are just very different kinds of people! 🤷🏻‍♀️

Maybe it's the school.. at DDs school, they get a badge (teachers each have a big age badge for the year they teach) and an "it's my birthday" sash to wear for the day. Then the class all sing happy birthday to them, and more often than not the birthday child brings sweets to give out at the end of the day. In fact, DD was disappointed one year that her birthday was on a weekend day and she wouldn't get to wear the badge that year.

Anyhoo, no I don't take the day off, I did for their first birthdays but not since. If I was off anyway, then we'd have a fun day out, otherwise cake for breakfast and cake after dinner, plus a goodie in their lunch box and then party at a weekend before or after.