Page 21 | Day off school on birthday?

Givemeabreak88 · 2021-03-06T09:36:10+00:00

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

safclass · 08/03/2021 01:01

No. Why would you?

Halloweiner · 08/03/2021 01:06

I wouldn't be adverse to it and would have loved it if my DM had done this when I was a child. I'd probably ask my DC what they wanted to do (mine aren't school age yet).

namechange63524 · 08/03/2021 01:35

He's seven. It's one day. He won't remember a random day at school, but he will remember the birthday he didn't go! Have fun!

THEDEACON · 08/03/2021 01:57

Nope no way

SionnachGlic · 08/03/2021 02:15

No.

SmeleanorSmellstrop · 08/03/2021 04:21

I would, but I live abroad where it's totally the norm.

AllThatIAmRoom101 · 08/03/2021 04:45

Go for it. Life's too short. The world has been a very different place for everyone the past year or so and it's been tough enough on adults, let alone children. One day is not going to be the reason he does well in school or not. Let him have a day of fun. This whole thing about sending the wrong message is a pile of crap. He's your child and you know him best and what's best for him in certain situations and it really doesn't matter what others think. Honestly go with your heart. Enjoy!!

Harmonypuss · 08/03/2021 05:24

Definitely not, they're only at school for 6hrs a day (including breaks) and have 13 weeks holidays each year isn't that enough?

Wait until they're working 8hrs or more a day (not including breaks) and only getting 28 paid days off a year (including the stats) and that's if they've got a relatively decent employer, then they'll see how good they've had it while they were kids!

Wannabangbang · 08/03/2021 05:25

No you'll only set a presidence for future birthdays. What if tests or sats gcses run on future birthdays. Could turn ugly when your once young child turns into an entitled bratty teenager and refuses to attend important events on their birthday.

rwalker · 08/03/2021 05:32

Haven't ready the whole thread but you are making a rod for your own back terrible idea.

woollysheeps · 08/03/2021 05:37

Yes I would
And do if you wish to because some of us even take the day off work too! Shock horror!

Blockedoff · 08/03/2021 07:44

And do if you wish to because some of us even take the day off work too! Shock horror!

But not if it's in a time when holidays are t allowed we don't!

Like postmen/women can't have holidays in December.

Shock horror!

JosieJasper · 08/03/2021 08:04

My kids have also been at school throughout but they’ve still had weekends and school holidays. No way would I let them have the day off just because it’s their birthday. I don’t think it’s setting the right example personally.

Localocal · 08/03/2021 08:06

If he really hates school I would let him stay home on his birthday. But get to the bottom of why he hates school and move him if necessary!

VintageStitchers · 08/03/2021 08:15

Yes. Although in lockdown you are a bit more limited in what you can do.

It’s very common for parents to take their primary aged kids out of school in their birthday for a day out or just a day off over here in Ireland. And teachers support it.

It’s another one of the reasons why I moved here from the U.K. People are far less uptight about school over here. I say this as someone with postgraduate qualifications so I’m not anti-education by any means but many Brits are almost religious in their zeal about school attendance.

Bumblebee1980a · 08/03/2021 08:43

@Wannabangbang

No you'll only set a presidence for future birthdays. What if tests or sats gcses run on future birthdays. Could turn ugly when your once young child turns into an entitled bratty teenager and refuses to attend important events on their birthday.

Oh dear 🤣

ShutUpAlex · 08/03/2021 09:18

This is the only country I’ve lived in where days off are seen as such a sin. I think it’s this mind set that’s actually more damaging. People coming I to work spreading colds or missing out on appointments etc because they’re so desperately scared to phone in sick or book a day off work. It’s ridiculous. A birthday is once a year.

Flatoutonsofa · 08/03/2021 09:38

At first my reaction was, "absolutely not!" but having read that your child has sen I do sympathise. The trouble is, if you let your child have the day off for their birthday, they may start finding other reasons to have the day off, and in any case will probably want the day off for their birthday every year. Especially if they have a nice day at home. Then it'll get harder and harder to get them into school. I think you have a bigger problem here, ie, a potential school refuser. It would be better to try to tackle that issue with the help of the school.
Please don't try to justify your actions by talking about a teacher you know who takes the day off on her birthday every year. That's highly unusual and s/he should be sacked. I've never heard of any teacher doing that and their employer is being pretty remiss if they're letting this person get away with it. I knew a teacher once who called in sick on a Friday a few times so she could go away for the weekend. It became obvious what she was doing. She was on a temporary contract and the school got rid of her!

Bumblebee1980a · 08/03/2021 10:05

@ShutUpAlex

This is the only country I’ve lived in where days off are seen as such a sin. I think it’s this mind set that’s actually more damaging. People coming I to work spreading colds or missing out on appointments etc because they’re so desperately scared to phone in sick or book a day off work. It’s ridiculous. A birthday is once a year.

It's ridiculous isn't it. I'm have a MSc and have a qualified job (currently SAHM) so it's not as if I think education doesn't matter.

Many people are quite small minded and believe education is the only way to learn in life. Unfortunately I think it's a cultural thing in the UK. I think we're not as child friendly as we like to believe if you compare us to other counties - no wonder CAMHS is full to bursting.

Maybe we need to focus on the more important things in life such as a child's mental health aka happiness.

sassle · 08/03/2021 14:18

My sons 11th birthday was Friday, I gave him the day off home schooling but would’ve insisted he attended school if it was an actual school day; so much schooling has been lost already IMO.

CharlotteWeb · 08/03/2021 14:31

Let him have the day off!

VeganVeal · 08/03/2021 15:15

Give him the day off, if he doesnt really like school then he probably wont excel anyway, so one more day off wont do much harm.

Bless him

VickyEadieofThigh · 08/03/2021 15:19

Giving a child who doesn't like school a day off on their birthday encourages the child to see time off school as a 'reward'.

How are you planning to explain the absence to school, by the way|? And are you happy to pay the fine? Every year?

LifesLittleDeciders · 08/03/2021 15:21

You need to address and protect; find out why he doesn’t like school and work with him to solve his issues - not give him a day off once a year and risk getting fined while simultaneously not helping him enjoy his time at school.

IFoundMyselfInThisBar · 08/03/2021 16:29

How are you planning to explain the absence to school, by the way|? And are you happy to pay the fine? Every year?

🙄

She’ll most likely say he’s sick, as well you know. You phone, say they’re ill, that’s it. Nothing will come of it. Most parents I know have done this for one reason or another over the years.