Missing Out On Special Moments...

[Country Kids]

I think its about $ and Cents. If the parent is paying they want to make sure they get their moneys worth.

It wasn't the childs bday but I had a parent take a personal day and say they were still going to send the child since I charged whether they were here or not. They ended up keeping the child home but later almost brought because they couldn't get anything (outside work) done because of the child.

I felt for the parent though because I know how difficult this child is. I actually myself have thought of taking a day off in the middle of the week so that I have my own kids gone, no dck's and do some MAJOR CLEANING for those 7-11 hours that I would have childcare.

[williams2008]

No, I wouldn't, but all of my dcps does.I agree with Country Kids the parents feel that since they have to pay anyway, they are going to get their moneys worth. I have heard that so many times from the parents I have.

[Blackcat31]

All my parents pay weekly regardless of attendance. All my parents seem to schedule their child's birthdays off and stay home with them.

I am lucky enough that I have DCP's that seem to value the time with their child more than they value the money they are paying for child care.

[EchoMom]

I don't see a problem with sending them. Daycare at my house is more fun and social than being at home and so it makes sense they want to come and be with their friends even if it's on their birthday.

But your question has a twist in it for me. If I were home, I'd want to be with them no matter what day it was! So birthday or not, I'd be spending the day with my child.

[Cat Herder]

I answered NO because I never did as a parent.

I have lost count of the number of kids who have spent 10-12 hours with me on their birthdays. Even their very first one. Many all 5 of them (before going off to school).

Granted, some parents/grandparents were at work. Others who did take off had rational arguments for doing so.

The typical reasons were "I have to clean the house" , "He/She will not know the difference" or "I have to shop for gifts and party supplies". The worst was "he does not deserve it" after said 3yo found and opened a couple gifts prior to drop-off. Age appropriate behavior.

[jessrlee]

I answered NO because I never did as a parent.

I have lost count of the number of kids who have spent 10-12 hours with me on their birthdays. Even their very first one. Many all 5 of them (before going off to school).

Granted, some parents/grandparents were at work. Others who did take off had rational arguments for doing so.

The typical reasons were "I have to clean the house" , "He/She will not know the difference" or "I have to shop for gifts and party supplies". The worst was "he does not deserve it" after said 3yo found and opened a couple gifts prior to drop-off. Age appropriate behavior.

This made me so sad. I hate all of the holidays and special things I have missed due to work!

[Cat Herder]

This made me so sad. I hate all of the holidays and special things I have missed due to work!

Yeah, but you do have to know that making ANY day special is more important.

"Just Because Tuesdays" are the very best days, anyway. lovethis

I think the bigger "birthday" issue is more about having the opportunity to make a kid feel special and blowing it off/rationalizing it away than it is about not having the opportunity...

You can make other, more memorable opportunities with a little creativity....

[Country Kids]

I voted other for the reasons below:

If I was home (original question), I would definetly.

If I worked I might take the day off but I'm not sure. I think if I took off for a couple of my own children but not the others there would be hurt feelings. I'm thinking if some feel during the week but others on a weekend. That happened this year actually. So I might spend the day with one of them and the others wouldn't get that special one on one time.

Then I'm not sure if I would take the day off and take them out of school on their birthdays. I have heard/read studies though where kids where asked about special times in their school lifes and most answers were: the parties/field trips and when parents took kids out for special day with them. They remembered going shopping/skiing/to the park/etc. with parents but not things at school. The studies were saying its ok to take a day here or there for your kids to be out of school because they will remember that much longer then what they did in school that day.

[ABCDaycareMN]

I value all time I get with my kids. I have pulled my son out of school on his birthday and my husband took the day off of work and we do something fun. Last year we went to the casino pool and stayed the the hotel.

[lovemykidstoo]

I replied wrong, I thought it just said would you send your child on their birthday, I missed the part that said if you were home, so I answered Yes, but that would definitely be a NO if I was home, If I were working yes I would.

Same here. I voted before I read the first post, so my answer really is no I would not if I was at home.

[littlemissmuffet]

I voted other for the reasons below:

If I was home (original question), I would definetly.

If I worked I might take the day off but I'm not sure. I think if I took off for a couple of my own children but not the others there would be hurt feelings. I'm thinking if some feel during the week but others on a weekend. That happened this year actually. So I might spend the day with one of them and the others wouldn't get that special one on one time.

Then I'm not sure if I would take the day off and take them out of school on their birthdays. I have heard/read studies though where kids where asked about special times in their school lifes and most answers were: the parties/field trips and when parents took kids out for special day with them. They remembered going shopping/skiing/to the park/etc. with parents but not things at school. The studies were saying its ok to take a day here or there for your kids to be out of school because they will remember that much longer then what they did in school that day.

This is so true. I still remember the occasional days that my mom and/or dad kept me home from school and having a special day in or out!! lovethis

[daycare123]

If I was out in the world at a different job and my kids birthday fell on a day I didn't work no way would I send them to daycare. kinda like if I had a day off during the week I wouldn't send them just to get my moneys worth. I greatly value my time with my child.

[jessrlee]

Yeah, but you do have to know that making ANY day special is more important.

"Just Because Tuesdays" are the very best days, anyway. lovethis

I think the bigger "birthday" issue is more about having the opportunity to make a kid feel special and blowing it off/rationalizing it away than it is about not having the opportunity...

You can make other, more memorable opportunities with a little creativity....

Oh I know. Dd is 12 and we have a really awesome relationship. I still regret the thanksgivins, Christmas eves, and mothers days I missed when she was little. She never had to go to dc. We worked it so she went with family, but I still get really sentimental when I realize that she is big now .

[countrymom]

I think the problem is that many just don't care anymore. Its easier to send them to someones house and make someone else celebrate their birthday then to spend the day with them at home. Its sad that people use excuses like "i have to clean the house or go to the grocery store" because i do this with all the kids. Oh yesterday ds and i were discussing his birthday (its not till july and he will be 11) and he was asking if i could take him to red lobster for his birthday

[jessrlee]

Red lobster sounds like an awesome birthday!