So are we unreasonable not to do this?

[jester68]

Just wondered what general opinions are on this.

It is a friend's child's birthday today. The dad has taken the day off work as it is his child's birthday. Even though the child will be at school all day.

I was asked whether my OH takes the day off when it is our children's birthdays. I said no. Maybe when the eldest was a preschooler and we only had her he might have taken the day off and we would go somewhere for the day. He was also in a job then when he could take his holidays any time he wanted.

Fast forward to now. My oh has a job that has shut downs. So he has the june half term off, 2 weeks in the summer, and some time over Christmas plus bank holidays.

He gets one floating day a year which he can have off when he likes.

So my eldest birthday is on a saturday this year so he is obviously off anyway.

But would you normally take the day off work for a birthday even if the child is at school all day?

Feel guilty now as he wont be off for youngest birthday in May which falls in the week.

So what do you all do?

Always did it on my own birthday throughout my working life-and for DH's (and vice versa). I am a SAHM to DD aged 1 now. Her birthday fell on a Sunday, and DH was rostered to work, but he booked A/L. I imagine he might up until she's school age, depending on the circs. Thereafter, there would be little point if her birthday fell in the week, and she was at school all day.

Both my DCs birthday fall in school holidays, so DP will take a days holiday and we will do something. If the DC were at school though, maybe not! Unless of course we all took the day off and went somewhere!

Dh works on a shift basis and arranges his own schedule. Because of that he will try and be home for the DCs birthdays because it doesn't actually mean he is taking a day off.
If he worked a normal Mon-Fri job he wouldn't take holiday for birthdays.

Yup, we take birthdays off - DH, DDs 1 & 2 and my own. DD1 is in school now to 1.30 but we still take it off. DD2 is in creche, but we don't put her in on any birthday (too far away to do it).

It was DH's idea - I think it's quite nice .

DH took the day for DSs' 1st birthday (but he flew back in the morning fron NY, so was completely jet lagged anyway). He took the day for his second brithday last year, but we also had family visiting. This year DSs' birthday is a weekend - so a none working day for DH anyway. Next year will be a Monday, which DH will likely take. After that, DS will be in school and I see no point in DH taking the day off after that. Unfortunately the date means that it will never fall in holiday time etc, but that is the way it goes. Treats etc, will be arranged on the nearest weekend.

We did before they went to school, but not now. I'm usually at work anyway and I finish about 3ish so it's not a big deal as I'm home about the same time as they are.

DH has booked the day off for DS' 1st birthday this month. Wouldn't if he was in school all day though.

preschool yes, school aged no.
But I have always had quite a flexible job and tend to tkae days of holiday dotted through the year anyway

I will take the day off for DS birthday until he goes to school - but then I prob wouldn't bother - perhaps just finish early and be able to pick him up myself.

I however never ever ever work on MY birthday! My mum jokes that it must be against my religon to work on my birthday. I was lucky in that it was always in the summer holiday whilst I was at school - but have always booked it off work!

Nope, not taking a day off here either.