Do your kids go to care/school on their birthdays?

[BellyBelly]

Hey all,

I am just wondering what everyone does on their children's birthdays? Usually I let them have a day off, but things have gotten a little trickier now. Elijah's 4th birthday is coming up, we have a party organised for him on the Saturday with his actual birthday on a Thursday, a day he's normally in care.

So what do you do?

[Kitt3n]

DD goes to school - I send her with some cupcakes or something else to share with the other kids in class, and then at afterschool care they usually do a "bit of a thing" for them - and they get a slice of fairy bread!

This year she turned 7 so I bought her 7 baby cakes and lay them out on a plate in the shape of a 7 - when she woke up the whole house was covered in streamers and balloons, and this "7" cake was on the table. That was her breakky! She loved it.

She got to pick dinner too.

[Nai]

DD went to childcare on her birthday this year and took a cake to share with all her friends. They all sang happy birthday to her and she had a great day! She did get 3 birthdays though - the childcare day, the immediate family party on her birthday and the party with her little friends at the playground - so she did get a bit spoilt!!

[Muppity]

Ok so I don't have kids but I personally have pretty strong views on this having recently had the discussion with someone else.

I don't see that giving kids a "treat" and letting them stay home from school on their birthday is setting a very good example. It makes it out like school is a bit of a chore. Which it shouldn't be. School should be heaps of fun.

Are you allowed to skip work on your birthday?

You stay home from school if you are sick (and I do count the occasional "mental health" day here - but only very occasionally) and that is pretty much the only time you stay home.

I think the idea of taking a cake or chocolate crackles or fairy bread of something to share with friends and celebrate is a much better idea.

I think another problem would also arise when kids get a bit older. Do they all get a day off on their birthday? What if one falls during the school holidays or on the weekend? Do they get a day off in lieu?

Just my opinion. [ducks for cover and is glad that cyber tomatoes don't hurt too much!]

[Pretty Butterfly]

I send my kids.
The school is really good.
They get a certificate, they all sing Happy Birthday, and are given a gift... (its a Catholic school, so usually a religous book mark and book etc...)
You can send food and/or cake.

They'd rather be at school being spoilt than home with the babies and watching me do housework!!!

[MelS]

I think you should still send him - they tend to have lots of fun spending their birthday with friends and the carers/teachers make a big fuss over them. I sent Marley to day care with an ice-cream cake (she has egg allergy) for her birthday this year and the kids loved it.

[~Raven~]

Ask them if they have a ritual that they do for the kids birthday because if you keep him home he might be sad if he misses out, especially if he has seen other kids have their turn IYKWIM.

My boys have loved being the centre of attention and having happy birthday sang to them at kinder and sharing a cake with their little friends.

[Astrolady]

My kids will be made to go to school on their birthdays. Kamerons birthday falls on a Monday this year, and the first time he will have his birthday at school. He can't wait to take cake and share with all his friends that wont be attending his party on the Saturday prior.

Love

[AliBaby]

Kel I teach kindy at school and I always make a big deal about someones birthday at school. Most parents send in cup cakes or those mini donuts for the class and we sing happy birthday to the child. (WE have a couple of kids with nut allergies so parents always send a mini packet of those natural confectionary lollies for them so they are not left out)

I also let the birthday girl/boy sit at my desk all day (which they love) and they wear a special birthday badge. It depends on the teacher I guess but with younger kids I think most teachers make a big deal about it for them.