Do you/ did you send your child to school on their birthday?

[bagpuss90]

Light hearted thread no I’m not having a whinge before anyone asks 😂No -I’m just curious. Was chatting to a work colleague and she mentioned that her children have never been to school on their birthdays. They don’t fall within school holidays. She was a bit surprised when I said mine all went to school on the day -business as usual. Don’t get me wrong -they had pressies before school, lovely parties and so on . Never really thought about it before but just wondered if its school or not on the big day

@CaronPoivre I’m one of the parents who keep my children home on their birthday. I don’t think it’s so black and white. One of my daughters is autistic and has severe anxiety. For her, going to school is extremely difficult. I don’t think her birthday is the second coming. I do think that on a day that means a lot to her, if I can make it easier and fun for her, why not? She would find it harder going on her birthday than a regular day because of the unpredictability of are people going to say happy birthday, will the focus be on her etc. she would hate it. I don’t think staying home that one day means she won’t have a good work ethic or a successful life!

This is so weird- I had no idea people did this. I don’t know anyone who does..

As in take their kids out of school for their birthday.

But can’t you see that your situation is rather different in that going in to school would be very negative for your child?!!

And I doubt the PP was referring to your kind of situation!

@Feef83 how do you know if my daughters situation is different to others? And so what if it is? Am I not allowed to respond with my opinion on this thread?
I personally do not think it is a big deal (for whatever reason) if a child stays home from school on their birthday. It’s one day a year 😊

If that's their attitude in year 9 I would find it quite worrying. At primary, fair enough, they still have so many days of learning ahead. But they are basically saying that the other year 9 pupils learnt nothing of importance during those 10 days.

Always sent mine to school.

If my DC’s birthday falls on a school day, then they’re going to school.

They’re only not going to school if they’re ill or if we physically can’t get there.

Always sent my DC on their birthdays, I always went on mine. Always surprises me how many adults take annual leave every birthday too, it's just a day.

So, presumably you encourage your children to tell lies when it is convenient for them?

Do you encourage them to lie to you, or is it only other people?

I wonder if any of the people who let them stay home are the same people who whined about them watching football for 2 hours in school.

You said your child has autism.

and outlined how very negative it would be for your daughter to go in to school on her birthday

Yeah, I kept her off nusery when she turned 2 and 3 so we could have a family day out but not since she started school.

Actually for her 4th birthday, school was the best place for her. It was when schools closed again in 2021 and only early years could attend. As she was in pre-prep at the time, they were still going in and they made such a massive fuss of her and had cake and party games. She couldn't have a party that year obviously and her grandparents had covid so it was nice that she spent it with her friends.

Fair enough either way, but would have thought kids prefer to be with their friends.

Yes they go as they want to see their friends. We do presents before school, family celebrations after and depending on birthday plans made either party after or on a weekend.
I was never allowed my birthday off either.

When I was in school my birthday was more often than not in the late may half term holiday. Which was fine until I got to Uni and it was right in the middle of exams. Even on the day it fell on BH Monday, I spent it in the library as I had two exams the following day.

As a child I always was in school on my birthday and I would do the same with my children.

however, as an adult, I always book it off work as annual leave!

@Feef83 I did indeed! And? This thread is about whether people keep their kids home on their birthday. Im
not understanding why you seem to be implying because of my daughters reason, it means I shouldn’t be posting?

I’m sure the people keeping their kids home on their birthdays are doing it for a reason. From the sounds of it, it seems like most kids want to go to school on their birthday.

I loved school on my birthday! It was great to spend it with friends, especially as I got older and we'd all bring a "picnic" and cake for a packed lunch - best days ever! Me and my partner work on our birthdays, albeit usually reduced hours as we're going out for an early tea with the kids, but why would it be any different?
I was a nanny and the mum would always take her kids of school on their birthday and I always felt a bit sad for them, especially as they weren't asking to have the day off, they were just told that they were taking the day off school to go shopping etc. In that instance it was a bit controlling as they didn't like any of their kids getting lots of attention

I did find it odd at the time. But he got good grades in his GCSEs and went on to get good grades at A level. He’s now at uni so 🤷🏻‍♀️. My daughter is at the same school and is predicted good GCSE grades so I’m not worried.

Of course you should post. It’s an interesting insight.

but…. If people say that not sending children in to school on their birthdays is daft, they shouldn’t have to invest a long paragraph full of disclaimers

You should keep your child at home if necessary for health reasons, including mental health reasons.

If there are no health reasons you should send them into school, even if it is their birthday.

Is that straightforward enough?

I absolutely do, and also to any other activity/commitment they have, as usual, and they have never minded that, or even questioned it.

On the two birthdays each that my kids have done this, only once one of them was asked if he was feeling better. He said yes. I never told them to lie, I couldn’t care less what they said to the school.

My kids are doing well, they don’t go around lying to everyone. One is an adult now.

You can make it into some really big thing if you like, but for us it wasn’t.