Keeping child off school because it's their birthday!

Maryanneslapcabbage

Do you still have to phone the school to let them know that your child won't be in that day? It's a long time since my kids were in school,but I remember I had to if they were sick.
I wonder what that mum told the school?
Can't imagine she said 'I'm keeping him off because of his birthday'!

bluenoseam

At 15 it's probably not the wisest decision of all time! Then again I speak from the position of someone who's birthday falls during the school holidays.

So evidence suggests if you want your kid off during the school holidays, get busy around November/December.

ecgirl07

It was pretty traditional in a school I used to work in - just annoying that it didn't apply to adults in the building:(

JennyRowling

I've seen lots of parents doing that. And I find it a waste. When I was little, I precisely wanted to go to school on my birthday AND volunteered to be examined No teacher dared to give me a low grade on my birthday (I studied of course).

catkins

lika_86 wrote: »

Who really cares? It's one day. Much worse to take your child out of school for a week to sit on a beach in Spain.

I agree that it's worse to take them out of school for a week but I wondered what other people thought of this as I don't think it is setting the child a good example.

peachyprice wrote: »

Firstly it's nobody else's business but the family concerned.

Secondly, this time of year they are doing nothing at school. Monday our school was closed for the Tour de France, yesterday my daughter spent the day spectating a teachers tug of war (yes the entire day, it was a knock out competition). Tomorrow the school is closed for a teachers strike. Next week she's out on school trips from Monday to Wednesday, Thursday is sports day, Friday is half day end of term clearing out classrooms and EOT assembly.

Would I take her out for something special that fell over these two weeks? Yes, I probably would.

They may not be doing much at school but just deciding not to send them because it's their birthday doesn't seem right to me

Buzzybee90 wrote: »

Most children want to be with their friends and family, thus go to school. None or my friends were ever kept off.

I'm guessing it was a boy?

No, it was a girl

catkins

Maryanneslapcabbage wrote: »

Do you still have to phone the school to let them know that your child won't be in that day? It's a long time since my kids were in school,but I remember I had to if they were sick.
I wonder what that mum told the school?
Can't imagine she said 'I'm keeping him off because of his birthday'!

Yes, dad phoned and said the child was sick

BAGGY

I wouldnt do it. But then I have twins so it would look a bit suspicious!

gingin_2

My son hasn't had a day off this school year, if there was something special we wanted to do on that day, I would. As it is, his birthday is always in half term, so it's never been an issue - I would be honest with the school though.

I've been doing the school pick-up and subsequent playground chat for 10 years now, parents are always very open, at least to me, about why they have kept their child off school when not sick. I could write a list of reasons why but it would take a long time. All have well adjusted, bright, happy kids who I am sure will turn into productive adults!

Mrs_Soup

Haven't had this yet as my only child at school has an august birthday which is a pain in other ways. My son is actually quite upset that he doesn't get to go to school on his birthday as they take sweets in for the rest of the class. (they probably don't do this at 15 though.) When number 2 son with a march birtdhay is at school he'll be going. Pretty certain I must have gone to school on my birthday.

balletshoes

catkins wrote: »

What do people think about this?


Someone I know kept their child off school yesterday because it was their birthday (15). Although I didn't actually make any negative comment I did express surprise which didn't go down well!


I think birthdays are special days at any age but you can't just not have to go to school on that day. Why could they not do something at the weekend to celebrate it? Also what is it teaching the child? They start work and ask for their birthday as holiday and if refused they go sick?


Irresponsible parenting in my opinion

personally I think its a ridiculous idea and theres no way I'd ever do that.

However, its clearly not an exceptional case, as its one of the main reasons sent out on all of our letters from school on non-attendance (ie "children should not be taken out of school for birthdays, holidays, days out" etc).