Let children stay off school when baby born?

[hebri]

Did you let your kids have a day off school once baby was born?

I’m having a baby next Friday. I have an 8 & 5 year old. They will likely have half of Saturday and then Sunday at home with the baby.

I think eldest will want to go to school on the Monday, but 5 year old will definitely want to stay at home with the baby.

Would you let your kids have a day off school to bond and whatnot?

Nope. Babies are pretty boring. Watching you BF all day will have her climbing the walls after an hour.

My 3yo also got quite jealous at all the "cuddles" her sister was getting completely missing the fact it was breastfeeding almost continuously. They don't need to see just how intensive it is, they don't understand you are just trying to keep their new sibling alive.

Best of luck with the birth !

100% yes.

Absolutely not! 2nd baby was born on a Sunday night and DD then aged 4 and in reception didn’t miss a day. We had a week of school then half term and it was honestly so hard to have them both home for a week! My very caring little daughter thinks newborns are little dolls that can be played with, carried, touched when they’re asleep, awake, upset etc. Those 6.5 hours of school a day were needed!! She did ask to send pics to school so she could show her classmates though :)

No, I think it will be disruptive to the five year old and could also cause her upset when she realises she isn’t the priority. Babies aren’t toys and lose their appeal quickly to older siblings.

I agree with other comments. I’m having a baby next wednesday and my 3 and 5 year olds will go to school/ pre school as normal.

If they want to go in, great. If not, I’d let the younger one have the day. It’s a lovely memory for them and won’t make any real difference to school.

No of course not

No no no!! It never even crossed my mind to keep them home and I don’t know anyone who has. My kids were 10 and 5 when my youngest was born. He was botn on a Tuesday afternoon so were obviously in school that day but continued to go to school the rest of the week and every other week day after as normal. My eldest was 5 when my middle child was born but it was in the summer holidays before she started school.

No, but then I was in hospitak for a full 6 weeks after baby was born so not quite the same!

For your 5 year olds sake…. Send her in.

She needs routine

and speak to teacher so that maybe she can talk about her new sibling in class time

I'd send them in with a photo of them and baby (if you're comfortable with that) that they will more than likely love to show off to their friends and teacher, and give yourself a break!

Definitely not! My youngest two dc were both born at the beginning of a school holiday and that was certainly not planned well. Such a relief when the elder 2 (3) went back to school.

Mine didn’t - he came to the hospital after school on the Friday to meet him, then I was home on the weekend. I guess it depends on your circs with childcare and school drop offs though.

I strongly disagree with you and it seems I'm in the majority.

Teaching your child that "helping with" her sibling is more important than a day of school is detrimental to her education. Anything that implies that school can be skipped for this or that becomes a slippery slope.

And I think you're very naive if you think there aren't big sisters the world over who are roped into becoming mini parents for their younger siblings, to a greater or lesser extent.

Fair enough "can you pass me that muslin" as a one-off now and then.

Not "you're having the day off school to help me with the baby". Even if that isn't how it's phrased, that's how the 5yo will understand it.

Just no, no.

Absolutely I would. How lovely.

It’s one day, and a momentous occasion in their little lives.

It's a similar pov to parents who don't take holidays in term time. It's not about that one day or one week of school that is missed. It's the message you send your child, that xyz is more important than school.

Holidays in term time? Message = holidays are more important than school.

Day off to "help with" a baby sibling? Message = your role as an older sister takes precedence over your education.

I didn't feel so strongly about this till op's update about the 5yo being "loving and caring and wanting to help".

Lemme guess, the oldest, who will definitely be going to school, is a boy right? I'm guessing this because it's only ever girls who are roped into becoming mummy's little helper generally, and most people don't see that as a good thing

No I don't think I would. My youngest was born at the start of the Christmas hols so wasn't applicable but they did go to their Dads per normal routine and far as I know 18 years later there as been no adverse effects on anyone.

Given you are having baby on Friday that gives a couple of days for your older children to spend time with the baby. I think getting back to the normal routine is best for everyone otherwise where will it end? One day turns into a couple of days if the 5yr old is upset about having to get back to school on Tuesday?

Family = more important than school whic 9 times out of 10 can be missed.

No, not least because 5 year old will probably not be particularly entertained by the baby. The school day is relatively short so they have plenty of time to see the baby before and after.

No, they will have had Saturday and Sunday

Christ no. Aside from anything else I do not want older (but still young) children about all day when I’d be bloomin knackered and it would be boring for them after a while. I have 3 and none of mine stayed off. Send them in.

After a few hours "staying with the baby" 5yo will be absolutely insane with boredom.

Nope sent the oldest to nursery after my second was born by planned section. Their Dad went back to work (not actually my choice) he said there was nothing for him to do! Relished the peace and quiet with the new baby.

I'd actually say coming home monday is more reason to send them (with a photo they can show off - it's the one sort of show and tell we actually like doing 😂)
Come home to an empty house and settle yourself in, and be ready to welcome them home from school with their new baby sibling.