Should I Take the Day off for My Daughters Birthday?

Updated on February 29, 2012
A.O. asks from Tahoe City, CA
20 answers

My daughter is having a birthday in the next week on a day that I normally work. My husband will not be at home until the evening and we will be doing a small family birthday party with the grandparents who are in town(they were also planning on watching her during the day). Should I take a vacation day? I have a pretty flexible schedule at work. She is still in preschool and does not have class that day.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

✩.!.

answers from Denver on

My dd's birthday is on Friday and I was wondering the same thing. In the end I decided to go to work and will spend the evening with her. We are having her party on Sunday so she will have the entire day devoted to her then. :)

Happy Birthday to her!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.H.

answers from San Francisco on

Yes! Before you know it, she will be in middle school. Spend all the time you can with her. Life goes by so fast.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

✤.J.

answers from Dover on

I don't know how old your daughter is, but actually, now that I think about it....I guess her age doesn't really matter. I grew up in a family where you went to school on your birthday, it's not a national holiday, after all. I do the same to my kids. I do, however, work with a whole bunch of 19-24 year olds who all seem to take the day off on their birthday. Seems weird & immature to me. JMO.

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.V.

answers from New York on

I wouldn't, no. In our home, birthday's come and go and we don't really make a big deal out of them, but that's our family. Some families go all out and have huge birthday dinners and have parties. I guess it depends on your family's approach to birthdays.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.F.

answers from Las Vegas on

If you have the time, and it isn't going to disrupt your workload for the rest of the week, why not take it off?

She is in preschool and will only be this little once.

Take the day off, or work half-day, and then enjoy the time with your sweet little girl! Hope she has a great birthday!

J. F.

2 moms found this helpful

B.S.

answers from Lansing on

Sure! I think everyone should be able to feel special on their birthday. If it is feasible....I say why not?

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

I NEVER work on any of our birthdays.

This year, I am working 1/2 day, but only because I'm spending a week in Maui the week before.

If the grandparents are excited to spend the day with her....then maybe take 1/2 of the day off?...or take another day off that she doesn't have school and take her somewhere special?

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.M.

answers from San Francisco on

by all means, take the day off! especially if yr work schedule allows it.
i always take my son's birthday off, even if we don't have anything planned and he's in school. just on principle. :-)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Whatever you do, just think about what you want to do for the rest of her life, because the traditions you set now will likely be the ones you do forever - and the ones she looks forward to forever.

I decided not to let my kids stay home from school on their birthdays, but I know families that do.

Whatever you decide - have fun!

1 mom found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Most people celebrate birthdays on the nearest weekend to the birthday.
We don't take vacations for birthdays - vacation days we save for winter/spring breaks otherwise I'd have to work through those days when school is out.

1 mom found this helpful

L.M.

answers from Dover on

Why not let her spend the day w/ the grandparents since they are in town and watching her anyway? That will be her birthday treat.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

let her have her special day with her grandparents!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.P.

answers from San Francisco on

Yes definitely! I do this as much as I can and my kids love feeling special, not to mention the fact that they miss school. As they get older and go to "real" school, it gets harder to do this so do it now! :)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.N.

answers from Minneapolis on

I'd let the grandparents have their day with her... maybe plan out a few places they can go w/ her and possible meet them for lunch??

1 mom found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Can it be her choice? My kids go to school on their birthdays, but I have lunch with them on those days and bring in treats. We do a family dinner and gifts ON their birthdays as well.

You do what works for you guys though. If spending the day with her is what you want, don't skip it just because the grandparents are in town :).

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.U.

answers from Albuquerque on

If grandma and grandpa are going to be there, probably not. Maybe an hour early to help get dinner started.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.V.

answers from San Francisco on

If you have the time coming and you've given your employer plenty of notice, why would you need any excuse to take a vacation day?

1 mom found this helpful

R.H.

answers from Austin on

I was all set to say, yes--take off. But, now that I have read others' posts, I agree--let her have the day with her grandparents! Give them a poloraid (sp?) camera to capture the day.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Why not let the grandparents have the day with her? Since they obviously don't live in town, why not let them have some one-on-one time with her.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.P.

answers from New York on

If her grandparents are in town to help celebrate, I would let them have that special time with her. I'm sure they will be planning a fun thing or two to do that day. If they don't have anything planned, maybe suggest a few options and prepurchase the tickets.

If this isn't the case and she sees them frequently, then maybe take a half day to go meet-up with them for lunch! You probably don't want to start a precedent for something that can't/won't continue in the future. It sounds like you have a party planned that night, so let her enjoy the day with her grandparents and come home early or meet up with them mid-day!

1 mom found this helpful
For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions