Day off school on birthday?

[Givemeabreak88]

What are your thoughts on giving a child the day off school on their birthday? If they are asking for the day off..

@Dutchesss

For those saying no, would you go to work on your birthday or book the day off? I'm lucky both my children's birthdays fall in the summer holidays so I haven't had to think about it.

I'd go to work...because I'm a teacher and my birthday doesn't fall in the holidays! So, unlike others who may have the option of booking a day off...I have to go in! And expect my students to do the same!

If he dislikes being at school, I think the reasons need to be investigated, and the reasons addressed people keep saying this but do you really think op or other parents like her (me) are indifferent to ours kids distress and CBA to try and help resolve it, so we just endure the drama of the mornings, the tears of a weekend but don't actually bother trying to find out why or help make it better?

@Flowerlane "After having nearly a year off 1 day is hardly going to make a difference now is it."

The OPs Son hasn't had any time off, she could've given him a day or two while school routines are messed up but chose not to. Instead she's going to take him out on a day he might actually get some proper routine.

Yes, I think that'll be somewhat confusing for him since he already struggles and that one day could make a bit of a difference to that particular child.

"It never did me any harm" is always a lazy and ignorant argument no matter what you apply it to.

no

Notmally, no.

This year... finding a bit of joy would come first for me. I’d let him. God knows the children have had to miss out on so much fun these past 12 months and had to be flexible way beyond what we would normally expect. I think a day of fun could do him more good than a miserable day of school, in the current circs.

Not a chance. My Dd has been at school on many of her 14 birthdays to date. We just usually celebrate with a nice tea or going out for a meal on that evening, and then she celebrates with her friends on a weekend.

@DavidsSchitt i will agree to disagree with you.

And (bless her!) her birthday is early September too and is often the first or second day back at school after the holidays. Rubbish timing for her, but it is what it is.

I would love to know how people suggest I can make him like school? He hasn’t liked it since starting in reception, I would love to know how to change that? It’s nothing to do with my attitude to school, I’m a single parent to 4 and I love school as it’s the only break I get so I always try to be positive about it but he has just never liked it (and before anyone says the others will want a day off on their birthdays they won’t they don’t mind going to school)

@KitHenry @MargaretThursday That’s understandable. It’s not compulsory 🤷🏼‍♀️

My first thought would be it isn’t the right school for him then.

Has he coped better going in with less students in?

He’s never liked school since reception but has two older siblings at the school so changing school isn’t an option.

I would love to know how people suggest I can make him like school?

I don't think anyone is suggesting you make him like it, rather that you try and find out what it is he dislikes about school. Is it too noisy? Does he miss being with you? Is the work too difficult? Etc.

Obviously not.

Going against the grain. But I would. If he doesn't like school then his birthday is going to be really unpleasant. No cupcakes or treats taken in as well.

You take days off when you are sick, not for birthdays. It would set a precedent which isn't good in this case.

it would depend on other factors, but if attendance was otherwise good and they really didnt like school,

Go for it OP (and I'm sorry you've been getting a hard time here). Mine have always had theirs off and they are in top sets, generally not overly demanding kids - it's really not a gateway drug like some are suggesting here

@Dutchesss

For those saying no, would you go to work on your birthday or book the day off? I'm lucky both my children's birthdays fall in the summer holidays so I haven't had to think about it.

I go to work on my birthday. I don't know anyone who books the day off for their birthday.

Op I fully get you the school but I do think it's setting a precedence of him being able to have a day off when he can convince you he wants to enough. If he's too old to just do it on another day, I think you have to just big it up with what you can do afterwards. Depends where lockdown is by then but I wouldn't let him skip a day

I find adults who place so much importance on their birthdays frankly ridiculous.

Yes it’s only one day and a special day at that!

@Givemeabreak88

Yep her birthday is in January, she books it in advance as says it’s a family members wedding.

Well that's just fraud, if it happens, which I doubt. I actually don't believe this to be honest...the school would very quickly notice a pattern. You can't just take a holiday off in term time, it's incredibly difficult to do, with a lot of form filling etc. A family wedding wouldn't be a 'paid' entitlement even if the time off were granted. Which I very much doubt for a whole week! And certainly not 'every January' 🤣🤣

Possibly a Teaching Assistant might be given the unpaid time off more easily (but even then it would depend on their contract).

OP you really know very little about teachers work contracts if you think this is in any way plausible 🤣🤣

No way

I always have my birthday off!