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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you book the day off for your DC's birthday

98 replies

thaisweetchill · 13/07/2023 21:04

Just that really? Obviously if it's on a non working day or they're a school it's a no.

OP posts:
benecarlos · 13/07/2023 22:03

I work from home so tend to take a half
Day so I don't need to go back to my desk after we get back from school run. I remember asking my old boss when I still worked in an office for a days holiday for my sons 1st birthday and he wasn't happy as it's last day of the month which is busy and complained that I would want it off every year - really peed me off!

Cammac · 13/07/2023 22:25

No. How old is the birthday child? What do you plan on doing for his/her birthday?

HeartshapedFox · 13/07/2023 22:29

Yes! But both my children’s birthdays always fall during school holidays, if it was term time I’d probably just take a half day to pick them up after school.

Motheranddaughtertotwo · 13/07/2023 22:30

I have no chance but my husband finishes early so they don’t have to go to After school club.

Redlocks30 · 13/07/2023 22:31

No-I’m a teacher so there’s no possibility of requesting the day off.

Sunnyweatherwoman · 13/07/2023 22:33

Yes, one/both of us. But her birthday is in the summer holidays.

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 13/07/2023 22:35

Yes I do. Always have for my 3. My working day can be long. Often an early start. Coincidentally it’s DD2’s birthday tomorrow. She will be 19 but I’ve still booked the day off! Last birthday at home before uni.

Original poster
thaisweetchill · 13/07/2023 22:39

Cammac · 13/07/2023 22:25

No. How old is the birthday child? What do you plan on doing for his/her birthday?

No question for me, I always book my DC birthday off as I want them to have a special day.

I'm curious as I've witnessed two people at work recently who worked on their child's birthday and I find it bizarre. One of them was their child's 1st birthday and the child still went to nursery and they went to work, I understand nursery costs play a factor but I would make an exception for their first birthday.

OP posts:
Milkand2sugarsplease · 13/07/2023 22:48

If DS's first birthday had fallen on a day I worked, there's not a right lot I could do about it as I work term time and can't book the day off. He didn't have a clue though so it wouldn't have mattered all that much really. He's just had his second birthday and again, no idea it was a special day but it fell on a weekend so we were both at home with him for the day.
Other DS's birthday usually falls in the Xmas hols which is fine, though this year it's the last day of term so he'll be in school.

AutieNOT0tie · 13/07/2023 23:01

Yes as it's in summer hols.

cisisaslur · 13/07/2023 23:01

I did every year until they were 18

Tiredmum100 · 13/07/2023 23:02

Yes, because I would get home late otherwise and I want to spend the afternoon with them.

Notmineagain · 13/07/2023 23:17

Issuefroth · 13/07/2023 21:07

Yes and mine too 😁

Same here too. And dh birthday. We really make each family member feel special because it is a special day.

Aria2015 · 13/07/2023 23:59

Yes, try and take mine off too (or the day after the recover 🥳).

KrisAkabusi · 14/07/2023 00:10

No. And I'd think it even odder for a first birthday as they won't remember it.

kirinm · 14/07/2023 07:01

Daughters bitt try heat is always a bank holiday weekend so no need.

Leftlegwest · 14/07/2023 07:02

Until school age, yes.

Bullshot · 14/07/2023 15:18

My DS is older now but no, I didn’t take a day off work for his or anyone else’s birthday.

Wicksytricksy · 14/07/2023 15:26

No. I was off for both their first birthdays but nursery is nearly £80 a day so it's an expensive day off! Now DD is in school you get treated like a minor celeb on your birthday so there's no way she was missing that. We do something special and have a family get together at the weekend nearest their birthday.

Peony654 · 14/07/2023 15:26

No, I don't even book my own birthday off.

VeterinaryCareAssistant · 14/07/2023 15:33

Always, for all 6 of them, and now for the 2 grandchildren.

Even if they're school age by booking the day off you have more time after school to do something nice in the evening of their actual birthday, as well as arrangements for the nearest weekend.

I still book their birthdays off and they're mostly adults (2 youngest are 17 and 14).

drpet49 · 14/07/2023 15:35

Issuefroth · 13/07/2023 21:07

Yes and mine too 😁

Me too

cocksstrideintheevening · 14/07/2023 15:38

For the last eleven years we have been on holiday for Dts birthdays, this year we are
Going a week later so I've booked it off.

Tdcp · 14/07/2023 15:41

Unfortunately I can't because I've very short of holidays for childcare anyway. I'd love to though.

LisaD1 · 14/07/2023 15:41

Yes, I have 2 DD’s and both their birthdays fall in the holidays, I always take the day off. Same for mine and DH does the same too. It’s nice to spend the day together