Jean in Newcastle Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I was told that we were supposed to honor the laborers who have gone before us to give us better pay, hours and conditions. OK. I do understand that and appreciate it. But is honoring somehow different than understanding and appreciating it? And why would it be so bad for us to start school on Labor day? Do I have to sit around and do nothing in order to honor it? I have no intention of marching in some kind of a parade. And most of the activities I see touted in the newspaper and t.v. are really fun family outings and vacations. We're all vacationed out. 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I was told that we were supposed to honor the laborers who have gone before us to give us better pay, hours and conditions. I'm curious to know whether anyone actually does that and what it means in practice. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I will be a rebel with you, as we are doing school today. So we honor and respect the laborers by laboring. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share Posted September 7, 2015 I'm curious to know whether anyone actually does that and what it means in practice. Exactly my question. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El... Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 My kids are about to have some schoolwork in lieu of boredom. It is either that or get in trouble for bored decision-making! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 The hubs (and everyone in his office) was forced to work today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeLovePassion Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 People are weird. Celebrate and enjoy the day how you want. As DIYers for home improvement projects we often labor and do projects on this day. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Ds2 was miffed that his teachers expect work to be done over Labor Day weekend. :rolleyes: (He's been in school 4 weeks now so they are well into the swing of things. And he's a senior.) Ds1 (college boy) is just glad he's off from work *and* school today. Dh has to work today. Dd is happy about not having school today. She's only in 5th; *I* need the break. How does one celebrate Labor Day anyway? Go to the stores to shop sales and see the many people laboring? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73349 Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 DH had to work today. We are having school. I don't think a picnic (or worse, going shopping at a business that did not give people the day off) would do anything for current or past labor organizers. We did have a Labor Day service at my church yesterday, with an AFL-CIO speaker. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunflowerlady Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 My dd is getting the day off of schoolwork, but has to work at her part time job later. People observe (or not) days as they are able to or as they see fit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
City Mouse Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Well, my DH is required to work today, so I will be house cleaning and DH will be doing 1/2 day worth of school work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 At least they didn't scold you for not honoring our fallen troops today. :001_rolleyes: I'd cut them some slack just for knowing what Labor Day is. 21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Ds's university is having classes today. You can do school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikslo Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I have school scheduled for today, too. Whether we do it or not has nothing to do with yet another holiday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 My teens are working today. They lifeguard at the town pool. If they didn't work no pool for families today. Thanks to the labor movement they are earning holiday pay. I made sure they know that. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 My school is out of session, but both ds and I will be working on school work today. I don't think mothers get labor day off. My dad worked at a television station most of his life. It skewed my view of holidays as he was generally working, keeping the station running so everyone else could sit around and watch TV. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolt. Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 The labour movements of recent history were extrodinary, and I think a lot of what we have in life that makes life good is due to their visionary and tenacious work -- The revolutionary idea that people should be entitled to work in a way that earns fairly and compensates fairly, and the appalling assertion that there should also be enough limits on work that people can live like humans with relationships, recreation, and time to care for themselves... Those were WAY outside of the box thinking, and goals that were next door to impossible. But it happened. And now we all take it for granted and find it unjust or even s violation of law for people to be treated otherwise. Something revilutionary became something perfectly normal. So, yeah, that deserves a holiday. (I picked up in that theme of recent history fairly recently do its fresh in my mind.) But it doesn't mean you shouldn't homeschool... And it naked sense that we celebrate (when we do) in recreational and family-oriented ways. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I'm appreciating the labor of my professors by starting on the week's school work. Besides dd1 starts school tomorrow so there is stuff to prep for that like lunch and making sure she has everything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 At least they didn't scold you for not honoring our fallen troops today. :001_rolleyes: I'd cut them some slack just for knowing what Labor Day is. My FB feed is full of all kinds of stupid today. Jean, people are crazy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loowit Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I don't think people should be or feel obligated to observe a holiday in any particular way. DH volunteered to work today, so we are doing schoolwork today instead of a day off. But at least DH is working from home today, so we can see him more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Besides I live in a tourist town so today is rather crazy with people packing up to go home, I'm more than happy to spend my day doing the mom/wife thing and doing school work to avoid the madness. In fact I may make dh take the movies back today :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Eh. People are dorks. I'm not "honoring" labor day today and people get so flummoxed by it. "You're making your kids work on a HOLIDAY?" swoon. But hey, this coming Thursday a bunch of us WTMers are getting together in person, so we'll "celebrate Labor Day" on Thursday. While everyone else is in school this Thurs, we'll be hanging out playing with new friends. People just can't get out of their little boxes and have no imagination sometimes. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 That made me laugh out loud. :) I would only have made me laugh if I hadn't already had to explain to people over this weekend that their meme with the flag-draped caskets and saying "It's not just a three-day weekend" is completely incorrect and what Labor Day actually is. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in NH Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 We are laboring around the house and yard. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I went off to Wiki to find out why the US chose the September date specifically. I knew they didn't want to choose May 1 or 4 (the actual day of the Haymarket riot) because it was too closely associated with socialism and was seen as an invitation to incite violence. It turns out that a union leader chose the September date and my guess he was looking for a holiday at a nice time of the year. It turns out that the 80 or so countries that celebrate on May 1 also moved the date a bit in order to align with a traditional spring celebration. What I didn't know and find pretty amazing is that Labor Day was made a federal holiday in 1887 only a year after the Haymarket riot. That's a very quick reaction to a historical event. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athomeontheprairie Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 We were planning on school today. But dh is off work and had some major remodeling/construction project addy or church. So today, he's got the girls and they are framing a room and putting up sheet rock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I was unaware that my imprisioned Wobblie great great whatevers were only honored by the purchase of sheets, the consumption of beer, the grilling of meat and the sharing of FB memes. School at home with family sounds as good a way as any to spend Labor Day. My husband brought my blueberry pancakes in bed. That's a celebration any day of the year! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I am sitting at work right now. I have plans to make my kids work later, after the air show. I don't mind admitting I'm not a union supporter. I have never worked a 40-hour week myself, nearly always work holidays, and it's been about 30 years since I got paid overtime. :P 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brehon Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I will be a rebel with you, as we are doing school today. So we honor and respect the laborers by laboring. Conversation in my house today: Dh: Alright! Everybody up from the table, brush teeth, and get ready for school! Dc: What?!? It's Labor Day! We can't work on Labor Day! Me: Think of it as honoring with your *focused*, *diligent*, and *careful* work all those who've gone before you. Dc: <confused and slightly dismayed looks> Dh&Me: <sip tea with slightly impish, but definitely angelic looks> 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamiof5 Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 We don't take most holidays off. Because of field trips and having an all day long activity every Wednesday I just can't afford to take holidays off 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 The hubs (and everyone in his office) was forced to work today. Ds2 was miffed that his teachers expect work to be done over Labor Day weekend. :rolleyes: (He's been in school 4 weeks now so they are well into the swing of things. And he's a senior.) Ds1 (college boy) is just glad he's off from work *and* school today. Dh has to work today. Dd is happy about not having school today. She's only in 5th; *I* need the break. How does one celebrate Labor Day anyway? Go to the stores to shop sales and see the many people laboring? Yay! MultiQuote is working again. DD (in college) has classes today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 It's nobody's darned business what you do! :grouphug: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I am sitting at work right now. I have plans to make my kids work later, after the air show. I don't mind admitting I'm not a union supporter. I have never worked a 40-hour week myself, nearly always work holidays, and it's been about 30 years since I got paid overtime. :P Yup. We don't celebrate it and don't much care, but my husband is using the time off from his main job to catch up on work from the other two. Heh. As for us, it's a light homeschooling day today just because I'm lazy and sick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Seriously? Celebrate however you want!!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 We have no school today. CC and online schools are closed, and working family members have the day off. Our parish always has a lively parish picnic on Labor Day, and another one on Memorial Day. If we did not have this situation, I would see nothing wrong with holding classes. I don't cancel school for Veteran's Day, and that, frankly, is a civic holiday with concrete meaning for our family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 We have school today. I'm just goofing off in between here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsuga Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 1. They pick up our trash on labor day, which I find convenient but somehow wrong. 2. I'm working today because I have work (for the government, since they don't hire enough people since people don't want to pay taxes). 3. My job and the garbage collection job are both unionized. I think they are okay working Labor Day because the trash is going to be picked up by them someday, so they'd rather take the overtime, and as for me... well, the taxes won't come, so it gets done or it doesn't. We could all strike, but it wouldn't be for more holidays, since things are efficient and we get weekends. It would be for higher pay. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Random Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I was told that we were supposed to honor the laborers who have gone before us to give us better pay, hours and conditions. OK. I do understand that and appreciate it. But is honoring somehow different than understanding and appreciating it? And why would it be so bad for us to start school on Labor day? Do I have to sit around and do nothing in order to honor it? I have no intention of marching in some kind of a parade. And most of the activities I see touted in the newspaper and t.v. are really fun family outings and vacations. We're all vacationed out. Eh...now that our family has close dealings with unions and union guys, I'm quite sure the 'holiday' is a joke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snickerplum Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I made a wreath, my husband cleaned out the garage and my oldest is currently working on math. I guess we're not celebrating either. Grill a hot dog and perhaps your accuser will be satisfied. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share Posted September 7, 2015 I made a wreath, my husband cleaned out the garage and my oldest is currently working on math. I guess we're not celebrating either. Grill a hot dog and perhaps your accuser will be satisfied. Ds18 plans to grill us some carne asada. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy in FL. Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Don't worry, Jean, I'm goofing off enough for both of us today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I don't know who chewed you out, but obviously it is someone that doesn't have better things to do than stick their nose into your business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I'm hoping to go into labor on Labor day :laugh: As it stands we are just having a regular school day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 We're slacking today, but only because I am trying to extract every last bit of summer that I can. I say do as you please and others can stew in it if they don't like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Crown Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Conversation in my house: "Why is Great Girl still asleep?" "She doesn't have class because it's Labor Day." "Wait, so why is Daddy going to work?" "Because he can work better when undergraduates aren't bothering him." "Why do we have to work?" "Because tomorrow is Great Girl's Name Day and you'll get cake and fun in the afternoon." "Yayyy cake!!!" We get holidays. Just different holidays. Conversation in my house today: Dh: Alright! Everybody up from the table, brush teeth, and get ready for school! Dc: What?!? It's Labor Day! We can't work on Labor Day! Me: Think of it as honoring with your *focused*, *diligent*, and *careful* work all those who've gone before you. Dc: <confused and slightly dismayed looks> Dh&Me: <sip tea with slightly impish, but definitely angelic looks> 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Honestly, I think we should decouple the honoring days (MLK, Labor Day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day and maybe Presidents Day too) from the days off and just have bank holidays then let the honoring days fall on the same day every year and let people celebrate them however makes sense for them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Crown Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Honestly, I think we should decouple the honoring days (MLK, Labor Day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day and maybe Presidents Day too) from the days off and just have bank holidays then let the honoring days fall on the same day every year and let people celebrate them however makes sense for them. Hear, hear. And then can we have Washington's and Lincoln's Birthdays back, instead of the awful Generic Presidents' Day? And Arbor Day, where did Arbor Day go? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another Lynn Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I only think it's an affront to the last day of summer at the pool. :hat: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SporkUK Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 How did they expect you to do to honour it? Celebrate what you want and when. We do May Day here, we go to the local parade and rally (that is officially in remembrance of a local strike/lock out in 1833 and our continued local efforts on workers' rights), we enjoy the community events, the history and current issues with it, and it's become important to us over the years. I imagine if it were around now after all the summer stuff/just before the start of our school year and there wasn't the local connection or recognition beyond sales that we could connect to (which was how it seemed where I lived in the States) I would have less energy for it and likely wouldn't bother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 All the universities around here are in session today. You are in good company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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