Ester Maria Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 If you homeschool, are birthdays family off days, or light work days, or you pretty much ignore the fact there is a birthday that day, go on with the day as usual, and celebrate it in the weekend? And, what I am possibly even more interested in, if your child was/is institutionally schooled, did/do you take them out for birthdays - or it is just like another school day, you send them and celebrate the birthday after school? (I am not even sure that all schools would authorize an absence due to a birthday, LOL, but I am still curious.) Just curious. Thanks in advance for your replies. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth S Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 The birthday child gets his birthday off. The rest have school, unless they choose to use one of their six "No School Today" coupons they get each year. We school year round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 My children have only ever been homeschooled, and the birthday child has the day off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 We have only ever homeschooled and we just carry on. We will acknowledge the birthday and maybe have a special dinner, but that is about it for a school day. We have big birthday parties for the kids, but that would be on the weekend. It never occurred to me to take a day off from school for something like a birthday. I never took the day off from work on my birthday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 (edited) DD was considerate enough to be born on Thanksgiving, so we're either out of town, traveling, or have relatives visiting on her actual birthday, which takes school out of the equation :). As far as the school question, DD was only in school for K, and was very, very annoyed that she WOULDN'T be in school for her birthday, because the birthday child got to be line leader, wear a paper crown, and bring cookies to share. Even though they let her do that the last school day before Thanksgiving break, it wasn't her BIRTHDAY-and she was very vocal about that. I had a summer birthday, so also never got to do the school thing, but remember that birthdays were something the teachers made a big deal of when the kids were younger, and that friends made a big deal about (decorating lockers, bringing treats for their friend at lunch and so on) in high school. Edited November 18, 2011 by dmmetler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 We've only homeschooled and we take birthday weeks off. We school through the summer and take off Thanksgiving through New Year' (today is our last day!!), 2 weeks in August for me to get prepared. Then, we take a week in Feb. and a week in May for birthdays. Works out well for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonbeam Jones Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 I got in the habit when I was working that I always took my birthday off. So I have extended it to the boys, everyone gets a holiday to celebrate their or a sibling's birthday :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 and no, we didn't take off my oldest son's birthday when he was in regular school. He wouldn't have wanted to take off his birthday - it's fun to be the birthday kid! Even when he was in high school, I think there was a certain amount of attention and love showered on the birthday kid, so he probably would have not skipped even if I had presented that option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Embassy Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 For a school age child everyone is out of school for the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 No days off for birthdays because I'm mean like that.;) We have parties on Sundays if the real birthday is on a week day the birthday kid can pick what I make for dinner and we will have a special dessert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwjx2khsmj Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 A birthday that falls on a weekday is a homeschool holiday at our house. If the dc goes to public school, it's a normal school day for them. I consider it to be one of the advantages of homeschool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetBean Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 We all take the day off: School holiday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edelweiss Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 My birthday was a few weeks ago, and I still homeschooled the kids although it was a little bit of a lighter day. ;) We all take the day off when one of the kids has a birthday. Family holiday!! My kids have only been homeschooled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 We take birthdays off, but if my children were in school, they would go to school as usual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinivanMom Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 If their birthday falls on a weekday then we have school as usual. If it falls on a weekend then they get the day off. We always do a special dinner and cake in the evening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 We take off an entire week around his birthday. :D I usually schedule that to be our first break (6 weeks on, 1 week off) of the year. He shares a birthday with my mother, who is one of his best friends. So when we didn't live close we'd try to travel to see them, hence the week off. He was in private school for prek and K, we did not take off birthdays, but they would have cupcakes to celebrate on his birthday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Dominion Heather Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 If the birthday falls on a weekday, then all kids get that day off. Only one of mine has a b'day during the school year. Dh also takes the kids' b'days off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Lulu* Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 We do whatever we normally would have, but I purposely choose the birthday child's favorite activities/games. We also do a family birthday celebration in the evening. We have always homeschooled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reign Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 (edited) We do school daily year round except on birthdays/holidays. On birthdays the birthday child gets taken out for a special breakfast or lunch by me and to Barnes and noble to pick out a book. This is a major treat. My oldest was born on Halloween so special stuff HAS to get done during the day. We just decided to follow with the others. Wanted to add that everyone gets the birthday off but that my oldest is the only one old enough for school. Edited November 18, 2011 by reign Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelia Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Day off, for everyone. Of course, I have only one child, but if I had more, they would all have the day off. Before Ariel was born I would take off work for both my birthday and my husband's, so it just seemed fair to take her birthday off, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 My son's birthday falls in July so school is out of session. Were it in session he would attend school that day. As it is his birthday presents invariably include some very cool home education materials like math books (and last year MCT) so we usually at least take a sneak-peak at the materials in addition to what-ever else we have planned for that day in terms of a celebration. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukeswife Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 We're part of the birthday off for all crowd. Only my oldest two have birthdays during our typical school year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuirkyKapers Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 All of us take off. However, out of the two kids, only one falls during the school year. The kids wanted us to take off school when it was my birthday. How thoughtful of them;) I didn't buy the goods they were selling:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrogMom5 Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 We either have a lighter day or we take the day off. My oldest has a summer birthday so when he was in school, his birthday fell during summer break. My middle one has a winter birthday and we took him out of school for the day. DD was born on Jan. 1 so she would get the day off no matter what. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrogMom5 Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 My son's birthday falls in July so school is out of session. Were it in session he would attend school that day. As it is his birthday presents invariably include some very cool home education materials like math books (and last year MCT) so we usually at least take a sneak-peak at the materials in addition to what-ever else we have planned for that day in terms of a celebration. Bill Yes, we give homeschool materials as gifts for birthday and Christmas too. The oldest has even asked for a textbook at times. They don't seem to know it's really school work. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHASRADA Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 We take the dc's birthday WEEKS off, or at least 2-3 full days off and the others are light days to catch up. Ds and caboose dd's birthdays are a few days either side of Thanksgiving, so the time would probably be taken off anyway. Dd's birthday is in the spring, so we take that week rather than the traditional Feb. or April break the schools do. We typically travel to visit grandparents for their birthdays, so they would lose a day or two going and coming (Fri. and Mon.), so I may as well plan to have that time off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caitilin Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 My children have only ever been homeschooled, and the birthday child has the day off. :iagree:This is how our family handles school year birthdays. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcjlkplus3 Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 All birthdays are holidays here. We often take the week of the birthday off. (easy since ds's bday is in February when we need a break anyway, dd is the week of 4th of July and mine is right around Memorial Day) We usually take off August and start the new year the week after my Labor Day baby's bday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acorn Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 (edited) My son is in a public K class. His classroom doesn't do anything for b-days. Their school handbook says a birthday child can bring a manufacturer packaged snack with an ingredient list to be sent home with each classmate. We choose not to do that. For next year if he is there, I might go have lunch with him in the cafeteria. Parents are always welcome to do that, but I can't see that I would do it more than once or twice. ETA: the school only excuses absences due to illness or other reason approved by the principal. My son will miss some days due to family travel and those will be unexcused. If there is an "excessive" amount of unexcused, the family can be referred to a truancy officer. Edited November 19, 2011 by Acorn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silliness7 Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 If you homeschool, are birthdays family off days, or light work days, or you pretty much ignore the fact there is a birthday that day, go on with the day as usual, and celebrate it in the weekend? And, what I am possibly even more interested in, if your child was/is institutionally schooled, did/do you take them out for birthdays - or it is just like another school day, you send them and celebrate the birthday after school? (I am not even sure that all schools would authorize an absence due to a birthday, LOL, but I am still curious.) Just curious. Thanks in advance for your replies. :D No school on birthdays here. Thankfully, most are during the summer. I hate my school schedule being interrupted. However, activities are *not* canceled on a birthday: band, church, etc. Although I do offer to send cupcakes. :001_smile: ETA: No school for anyone on the birthday. It's a family day off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 No school for birthdays here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoVanGogh Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 My child has a Christmas birthday so no school on his birthday. :D But I do take my birthday off. :lol: I have no interest in teaching on my birthday. We will do something fun, like a field trip or breakfast out and bowling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oops, duplicate account :/ Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Birthdays are special family days here and we do take off school. We wake up to bday presents and then spend the day doing something fun together. This year we spent the day at the public pool ( more like a water slide park), went caving for another, and went to a fish hatchery (well we go lost!)/picnic, and we'll go up by the ski resort for hot chocolate and to go sledding for or NOV son's bday. Gifts are there but mininal any time of the year, it's all about quality time for us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Kids attend outside classes as scheduled, if those happen to fall on a birthday *but* we generally take the day off from school as a family (as far as is feasible) and make a family day of it. I just write those days off into the calendar ahead of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samiam Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 (edited) Full family holiday for everyone on a birthday round here. We always go on a "birthday adventure"....some sort of fun, out of the norm thing. Some year's it's a bigger adventure than others. DH actually takes a day off of work, sometimes 2, depending on what the birthday adventure is and when the birthday falls. Only oldest DS has ever attended school, only K4 and K5 in a private school....and his birthday is July 4th....so not an issue for us and school. Edited November 19, 2011 by Samiam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytwomonkeys Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 on birthdays we all get the day off here and have some fun!:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom22ns Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Kids attend outside classes as scheduled, if those happen to fall on a birthday *but* we generally take the day off from school as a family (as far as is feasible) and make a family day of it. I just write those days off into the calendar ahead of time. :iagree: This is what we do. Outside classes as normal, but no one does school work for e on their birthday. DH doesn't work on his either. His company makes it a holiday for the employee, so it is all fair. My birthday is in the summer, so I am automatically off work too :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oops, duplicate account :/ Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Full family holiday for everyone on a birthday round here. We always go on a "birthday adventure"....some sort of fun, out of the norm thing. Some year's it's a bigger adventure than others. Only oldest DS has ever attended school, only K4 and K5 in a private school....and his birthday is July 4th....so not an issue for us and school That's what we call it, too. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecj98 Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Both of my school age children have summer birthdays, so I have never even thought about this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 (edited) If you homeschool, are birthdays family off days, or light work days, or you pretty much ignore the fact there is a birthday that day, go on with the day as usual, and celebrate it in the weekend? And, what I am possibly even more interested in, if your child was/is institutionally schooled, did/do you take them out for birthdays - or it is just like another school day, you send them and celebrate the birthday after school? (I am not even sure that all schools would authorize an absence due to a birthday, LOL, but I am still curious.) Just curious. Thanks in advance for your replies. :D Institutionally schooled :001_smile:. We send cupcakes for the entire class. So yes, they still go to school and come home and do homework. Birthdays are celebrated on weekends around here. Edited November 19, 2011 by Roadrunner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 We have only ever homeschooled and we just carry on. We will acknowledge the birthday and maybe have a special dinner, but that is about it for a school day. We have big birthday parties for the kids, but that would be on the weekend. It never occurred to me to take a day off from school for something like a birthday. I never took the day off from work on my birthday. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in PA Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 DS's birthday falls in the month we take off (June), so that one is easy. DD's is in the first half of July, right after we start back., and we take the day off for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oops, duplicate account :/ Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 We have only ever homeschooled and we just carry on. We will acknowledge the birthday and maybe have a special dinner, but that is about it for a school day. We have big birthday parties for the kids, but that would be on the weekend. It never occurred to me to take a day off from school for something like a birthday. I never took the day off from work on my birthday. It's not a new idea. Remember how Almanzo got the day off of public school on his birthday in Farmer Boy? :001_smile: Long, long ago, a little boy named Almanzo Wilder lived on a farm in the New York countryside with his father, his mother, his big brother, Royal, and his big sisters, Eliza Jane and Alice. One special day is Almanzo's birthday. He gets to stay home from school, and even better, Father gives him a yoke for his calves, Star and Bright, and a beautiful hand-sled. Almanzo spends the morning learning how to break the calves, and then he spends the afternoon flying down the hill in his brand-new sled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0mmaBuck Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 If you homeschool, are birthdays family off days, or light work days, or you pretty much ignore the fact there is a birthday that day, go on with the day as usual, and celebrate it in the weekend? And, what I am possibly even more interested in, if your child was/is institutionally schooled, did/do you take them out for birthdays - or it is just like another school day, you send them and celebrate the birthday after school? (I am not even sure that all schools would authorize an absence due to a birthday, LOL, but I am still curious.) Just curious. Thanks in advance for your replies. :D We make a big deal about birthdays. DH and I generally don't work on the kids' birthdays (or our own if we can help it). We don't do school on birthdays. And if a child's birthday is on a weekend, we take either Friday or Monday off from school. When the boys were in PS, we gave them the option to miss school that day and we would do something special instead (like go to the zoo, the childrens' museum, etc.). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
74Heaven Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 We take birthdays off for everyone. I am convinced that this is one of those "isn't homeschool wonderful" ideas that they will remember fondly. Plus, I always thank the birthday child for giving me a day off too! Lisa J, mom to 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilymax Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Each of the kids' birthdays is a no-school day. If it falls on a weekend, they get to choose whether we take Friday or Monday off. And of course teacher's birthday is a day off, too! Birthday holidays are one of the things that makes homeschooling fun! We would also take the principal's (Dad's) b-day off, but his falls in July when we're off anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenC Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 For the others, it's a typical day. Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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