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I rather my parents be able to pay the bills and afford my birthday gifts, cake, and house, than worry about a birthday! I know for a fact my parents missed several of my birthdays growing up (even now), but they always make up for it by spending time with me when they got off work, or were free. I sure didn't hold it against them as long as they told me WHY they couldn't be there on my birthday. Kids are more understanding than you realize.
Obviously no parent wants to work on their child's birthday. But as an adult, it happens! We have other obligations and responsibilities that come first in life. And not all jobs are going to let you take off because your kid has a birthday.
What I would do as a parent is either do something special with said child after I get off work, or on my off day- say that weekend, throw a big party, or take the kid out. Making sure to explain to them that, "I have to work and I'm sorry I can't spend your actual birthday with you. But know that I love you and want you to have a special day!" Something like that.00 Reply
Most Helpful Opinions
- +1 y
Yeah I wouldn't care and it probably happened with me before.
I don't see birthdays as holy and sacred. If he's here cool, if he can't make it then I'll save him the biggest cake portion and thank him for his hard work and all the efforts he puts into providing for us.00 Reply
My dad was in the army, and my mom worked 2 jobs. They often missed birthdays and ball games but they also made an effort to show up when they could. I understood then and understand now. Work keeps everyone fed. Birthdays happen every year. It's okay in my opinion.
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Preferably not, if at all possible.
Schedules being what they can be, there are many times that our kids/grandkids' birthdays are not celebrated on the actual day. As long as we DO celebrate and they get the presents, I don't think they mind too much.00 Reply
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16Opinion
- +1 y
I am used to the fact that my parents often forget my birthday. I got sulked and upset. But as I aged, fuck that. Idc if they miss it, as long as they can provide me unconditional love and financial help. They're old, it's not odd to forget a single date.
00 Reply - +1 y
It happens. You can try & plan around your work schedule, but sometimes it's more important to pay the bills. My mom missed my birthday because she is a restaurant worker & we celebrated on a different day. Thats life.
00 Reply - +1 y
You don’t have to celebrate the birth date on the exact day, you can celebrate the closest Saturday or Sunday or Friday related to your birthdate. That is what I do and what my friends do with their birthdays.
00 Reply Parents work. Children are at school. There’s always time in the day to celebrate. Nor me or my ex husband have ever missed one…?
00 Reply- +1 y
It happens I’ve been out of the country lots of times on family birthdays.
sometimes it’s simply not possible.00 Reply - +1 y
It's not the ideal thing, but some jobs are really strict and you can't get the day off just because it's your kid's birthday. Getting fired and lose income is out of the question.
00 Reply - +1 y
If it is the child's first birthday, then I would say that would be a little selfish, since women giving birth need a man to scream at while they are pushing that monkey out. But, after they turn around 4 or so, they are not cute any more.
00 Reply - u+1 y
A child's birthday lasts for 24 hours. How much of that time was the parent working?
00 Reply - Anonymous(25-29)+1 y
I highly prefer birthdays being missed over homelessness and starvation. And i have been through the experience of the latter for several years when growing up. Would not recommend it unless you're a nomad.
00 Reply 476 opinions shared on Family & Friends topic. No they shouldn't. The moments in a child's life can make future developlement very easy or difficult
00 Reply- +1 y
Should and have no choice are two different things. Some employers don't give a flying fuck about work life balance.
00 Reply I've never celebrated my birthday on the day unless it was a weekend cause PEOPLE WORK.
00 Reply- +1 y
if their work is emergency then yes. You can't have a surgeon refusing a emergency because of a childs birthday
00 Reply - +1 y
Do you expect to be able to pay for that birthday, with no money?
00 Reply - Anonymous(36-45)+1 y
They may have no choice if they want to keep their job so they can support their children.
10 Reply - +1 y
Sometimes its unavoidable.
10 Reply - +1 y
Ideally no but life happens.
00 Reply - Anonymous(25-29)+1 y
If the kid is less than 10, nope
00 Reply - Anonymous(18-24)+1 y
My parent did & it didn't really affect me
10 Reply - +1 y
Are you over 10? then yes
10 Reply - +1 y
you might request time off work
10 Reply Birthdays are overrated. What counts is everyday.
00 Reply- +1 y
Nope
00 Reply - +1 y
I wouldn't
00 Reply 1.3K opinions shared on Family & Friends topic. no way
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