Page 7 | 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..

Attictroll · 06/03/2021 10:52

Sets a really bad example for the future and undermines importance of schooling and also could lead to spoilt brattishness when working in the future. It’s not in his interest in the long term.

DavidsSchitt · 06/03/2021 10:52

"We're considering lying to DS about which actual day is his birthday...."

What? 😂 why on earth would you do that?

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

No she doesn't, you're talking utter bollocks here.

Also, you've had the best part of a year to give the kid a day or two off but you've chosen to send him in. Now that schools actually have a chance at teaching classes properly you're taking him out . You need to have a word with yourself.

raincamepouringdown · 06/03/2021 10:52

Pretty much everyone has said don't do it, it's a bad example, you can celebrate at the weekend, sends the wrong message, etc.

OP: I'm still doing it.

Why post then.FFS.

MyDcAreMarvel · 06/03/2021 10:53

Yes keep him off , he is in year 2 it won’t make the slightest difference to his education either now or in 9 years time!

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 06/03/2021 10:53

DDs birthday is coming up.
She already had some ideas about how to spend it, which Is agreed to on the assumption that we'd still be in lockdown.
Then the schools opened up and DD was a bit disappointed about having to spend the day at school.
I wouldn't usually do it but I did offer her the day off. On the grounds that plans were already made and alternative treats are thin on the ground.
In the end she decided it would be OK to go to school if she can have a special tea afterwards and stay up late.

maddiemookins16mum · 06/03/2021 10:54

@Givemeabreak88

He doesn’t like school hence him asking for the day off. He will be turning 7. Just to add he’s been at school throughout so he hasn’t been at home.

Even more reason to say no.

Sirzy · 06/03/2021 10:54

@MyDcAreMarvel

Yes keep him off , he is in year 2 it won’t make the slightest difference to his education either now or in 9 years time!

Except next year it will be “but you let me stay off last year but why not this?” And before you know it a precedent has been set.

If a child doesn’t like school it’s all the more reason not to give them an easy out of going on days they don’t want to.

Dustyboots · 06/03/2021 10:54

Give him the day off OP. Seriously- why ever not?

You’d think after all this we’d be less institutionalised and blinkered.

Abraxan · 06/03/2021 10:55

Touched a nerve? Why am I being rude? If you need a space, surely you are a "key worker" on that day too...

The OP her child has a disability in the post you quoted. He is classed as a vulnerable child as a result and has been eligible for a place. It doesn't mean his parent is a key worker.

Abraxan · 06/03/2021 10:58

@Givemeabreak88

I’ve got a friend whose a teacher that goes on holiday every year for her birthday (pre Covid) so don’t act like they don’t

Presumably not in term time.

I don't know of any school that permits term time holidays for a birthday. Term time absence (not sickness) for school staff is only for very very specific and restricted reasons.

JohnMiddleNameRedactedSwanson · 06/03/2021 10:58

At my DC’s school the birthday child is allowed to wear non-uniform on their birthday. It’s genius. DD is August-born and furious that she doesn’t get to benefit on her actual birthday; we do a ‘school birthday’ in July instead.

Desertislanddreamer · 06/03/2021 10:58

OP my sons 12th birthday was the last week and I let him have a day off from homeschooling. We went on a bike ride, then to local skate park where it was quiet, played on his new Nintendo switch and had a Chinese for tea. It was such a nice day and he loved his birthday.
My thoughts were after such a crap year and how well he’s coped with everything, one day off won’t hurt.

CaffineismyBFF · 06/03/2021 10:58

After the crap 12 months we have had and the fact he is year 2, I would. Something to spark a little joy in these crazy times isn't a bad thing.

Obviously if they were older and exam age I wouldn't but 1 day missed from year 2 isn't damaging to his education in the long term really.

BashfulClam · 06/03/2021 10:59

Never really had my birthday off but it’s the mayday weekend so usually get a bank holiday. We used to start the exams on my birthday which wasn’t wonderful.

sherrystrull · 06/03/2021 11:00

@FlyingBurrito

There is no way it's true. I heard of a teacher once taking time off in term time to go on her honeymoon. It made the national press. There's no way a teacher would be allowed a holiday every year for a random relatives wedding.

I had to provide proof and apply to the governors to have the day off for my grandma's funeral.

FlyingBurrito · 06/03/2021 11:02

[quote sherrystrull]@FlyingBurrito

There is no way it's true. I heard of a teacher once taking time off in term time to go on her honeymoon. It made the national press. There's no way a teacher would be allowed a holiday every year for a random relatives wedding.

I had to provide proof and apply to the governors to have the day off for my grandma's funeral. [/quote]
Surely you're not suggesting that the OP is lying to support her stance

Barbie222 · 06/03/2021 11:02

I heard of a teacher once taking time off in term time to go on her honeymoon. It made the national press.

Ah, I just remembered how long ago, my headteacher covered my class for one day, so I could have a long weekend after I got married. It was lovely of him.

Abraxan · 06/03/2021 11:02

@therealteamdebbie

*sparepantsandtoothbrush Or did you think it was only key worker children who were allowed in school?

oh no, I am very aware of the list and how parents have abused the system, thanks.

Whilst I don't really agree with children missing school for their birthday, you are making very uncalled for comments.

The OP's child has a disability.
He is totally and utterly eligible foe a school place during lockdown.
That isn't abusing the system AT ALL.
You are making these kind of comments to be unpleasant towards the OP because you don't agree with her stance on a day off for his birthday.

As a school we invited ALL of our children into school with SEND whilst following all of the government guidelines. Not to do so wouldn't be in line with government guidelines for lockdown and school.

You are being very very unfair to the op over this point.

Loopyloututu2 · 06/03/2021 11:03

Give him the day off OP. Seriously- why ever not?

You’d think after all this we’d be less institutionalised and blinkered.

I know, it’s bizarre. Kids education has been a shitshow for nearly a year now with naught but a few papers to print off and fill in for 6 months of last year. World book day the other day was an assembly and then “reading a book of your choice for the rest of the day”. Teams meetings have been one technical glitch after another - and barely any work is marked or commented on. Any concern by parents is met with “kids are adaptable, they’ll catch up, it’ll be fine”
Yet giving a 7yo kid the day off for a bit of a treat on his birthday is going to RUIN HIS LIFE FOREVER!

🤣🤣🤣

sunflowersandbuttercups · 06/03/2021 11:04

Well isn't she a credit to the teaching profession, I wonder if she's involved in absence monitoring at the school.

Glad she never taught my children

I suspect she's very much a work of fiction

Abraxan · 06/03/2021 11:06

@Givemeabreak88

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

The school will know it's the teacher's birthday (like everyone else we have to apply using our real personal details) and WOULD question it, especially of it happened more than once.

I simply find this state,ent very difficult to believe based in my experience of needing time off in term time on occasion.

Even for a wedding it has to be a very very close relationship, not just a random family member.

Beetlecrusher · 06/03/2021 11:06

@Forgetaboutme

Btw can I just say. Most of my colleagues and myself take our birthdays off. Really surprised at the people acting like no adult takes their birthday off. Its very common in my workplace.

Same here, not unusual in my workplace for people to take birthdays off. I usually do if I can spare the leave.

Never had my birthday off school as a kid though (aside from weekends of course) and wouldn't let my kids do it either.

sherrystrull · 06/03/2021 11:07

@FlyingBurrito

Derrymum123 · 06/03/2021 11:09

No way. But I know from experience it happens to a fair degree in my school. When I ask if anyone knows why x isn't in they chorus -it's their birthday.

LemonCrab · 06/03/2021 11:09

Yeah we might.

Haven't missed one home school piece of work. But have missed 4 holidays and countless days out.

DDs biggest wish for her birthday in May is a day at Alton Towers.

If the theme parks are open then we may do that for a day. As weekends will be hellish. And a quite weekday will be a lot safer Covid wise.