Families Who Don't Celebrate The Holidays

[Bookworm]

We have two families who don't celebrate any holidays for religious reasons. Family #1 is in my class (4s) and Family #2 is in 3s. Family #1 is pt and arrives after 10 am when she comes so I can schedule any art projects books etc for early morning or their off days. Family #2 however is ft and DCG is a sunup/sundown child. About a month ago we were yelled at by Dcd because DCG participated in a birthday party. He was told that nobody told us anything so we didn't know. He then asked if DCGs teachers would sort them know in advance about any holiday related activities. They said yes. On Halloween, DCG was picked up early and everything was fine.

This morning, DCD came in with DCG's class calendar marked in red the activities that she can not do. It was basically the entire calendar. Her teachers don't know what to do. I'm more than willing to take her to my room when her class is doing whatever but how often are we supposed to do this? And what do we do when my class is in the middle of an activity that she can't join in? We can't shift her from room to room and she always go to the front office. We don't want her parents to have to come and get her everytime or even keep her home. This is a first for us and we don't want to be insensitive to anyone's beliefs. How would you handle this? Is there even a way to accommodate their wishes? Thanks in advance and I'll try to check back before I get off.

[daycarediva]

I had a Jehovah's witness family in care before. Why they chose to enroll with me is beyond me. I celebrate everything from Chinese New Year to Cinco de Mayo.

After trying to schedule everything on their day off, they finally termed.

How long has she been there? Why is it JUST an issue now? Don't they receive the calendar monthly that they knew the activities?

I would say that she could go to the office and color/puzzles/small toys when the class is doing a birthday or holiday.

[Bookworm]

I had a Jehovah's witness family in care before. Why they chose to enroll with me is beyond me. I celebrate everything from Chinese New Year to Cinco de Mayo.

After trying to schedule everything on their day off, they finally termed.

How long has she been there? Why is it JUST an issue now? Don't they receive the calendar monthly that they knew the activities?

I would say that she could go to the office and color/puzzles/small toys when the class is doing a birthday or holiday.

She's been here since February. I find it odd too since she's participated in the Easter Egg hunt and other birthday parties. Calendars are given out monthly and are color coded to show different activities. DCG came from one of our sister schools so my Director called and asked them if there were any problems with parties/holidays. They said no. They would have someone pick her up or she would go to another class.

If this was a serious issue, why did they wait until now to tell us? As far as taking her to another room, we have no problem doing this at all. The problem will come in December because the Center goes all out for Christmas. We do something Christmas related almost every day. Her teachers are going to start looking for winter art projects for her to do so she won't feel left out.

[Country Kids]

Could they be new to a religion that doesn't participate in holidays? Maybe they just recently started going to a church that doesn't believe in this.

This maybe an excellent time to talk to parents about this. Explain to them that the center will try in all ways to accomodate but if not possible she will either need picked up or sent to the office to do quiet activities.

Having them learn this at an early age with their child will prepare them for the road ahead for school.

[Hazel]

We had one family like this in the last center I worked at. I worked it out that she didn't attend our parties (went to another classroom) and if we did art that was specifically holiday themed (jack o lanterns, Christmas trees, menorahs, Easter eggs, mummies, vampires ect) I would give her a generic project to do. I did however, still run into issues. In October I had my weekly lessons planned out. We did 2 letters a week, 2 numbers a week, two colors and for science we were learning about animals. So one week in October, I planned it so we did letter B, color black and the animal was bat. (Don't remeber the other lessons off the top of my head)
I figured she could join since it was very early in the month, so not halloween yet AND bats aren't specifically only Halloween animals. We learned all about bats and then painted one (handprints) in black (our color). Mom got so upset! Said she couldn't take the project home bc although she was more flexible, DCD was NOT. I explained that I chose those things bc for the OTHER kids, it could be related to the holiday but I thought it was generic enough for DCG. Needless to say, the art stayed in the classroom.
Later that month we did scarecrows and pumpkins. I figured again, it's more SEASONAL and not holiday specific... This time DCD came. He pitched a fit! It was like he enjoyed making things difficult! I asked him "what about falling leaves for fall? What about snowmen for winter? What about learning about the ocean and beach in the summer?" He just stood there looking at me like I was insane! It was so very frustrating.the poor kid watched her father toss her beautiful art into the trash. I wanted to cry for her. She was kindergarten age, so it was very upsetting to her. ESPECIALLY since all of her friends witnessed the scene, her father flipping out, girl crying, art into the trash... They didn't understand what was happening. It was horrible!

[melilley]

When I worked in a center, we didn't celebrate "holidays". Instead we had a Winter Party for Christmas, Fall Harvest was Thanksgiving, we did have a Halloween party and V-day party, but I forgot what they called those (I don't think they changed those names). Could your center name the holidays something else? Or is this child not allowed to participate in any party?

For my home dc, I tell parents when they enroll that I celebrate all holidays. I know you work in a center so that probably isn't in your control.

[Hazel]

When I worked in a center, we didn't celebrate "holidays". Instead we had a Winter Party for Christmas, Fall Harvest was Thanksgiving, we did have a Halloween party and V-day party, but I forgot what they called those (I don't think they changed those names). Could your center name the holidays something else? Or is this child not allowed to participate in any party?

For my home dc, I tell parents when they enroll that I celebrate all holidays. I know you work in a center so that probably isn't in your control.

I'm the same way. I ask EVERY family at the interview if they have issues with their child learning about and celebrating holidays. I was raised catholic and have raised my children with a catholic education, so we celebrate the major christian holidays. My fiancé is Jewish so we celebrate the major Jewish holidays and finally, As an adult, I chose a different path and am now what many would consider Pagan. So we make a big deal about the changing of the seasons here.... We learn a little about all traditions. So far not one family has had an issue. Thank goodness.

[SignMeUp]

When I worked in a center, we didn't celebrate "holidays". Instead we had a Winter Party for Christmas, Fall Harvest was Thanksgiving, we did have a Halloween party and V-day party, but I forgot what they called those (I don't think they changed those names). Could your center name the holidays something else? Or is this child not allowed to participate in any party?

For my home dc, I tell parents when they enroll that I celebrate all holidays. I know you work in a center so that probably isn't in your control.

Oooo. Zeee Eeevil Paaagan Holidays :: Yeah, I actually had one family tell me that was worse than celebrating Christmas or Sukkot or Halloween or anything.

They didn't last long My philosophy is that anyone who attends here is welcome to share their holidays with our group, so that we all can learn about people who are like us in many ways, and different in some ways. We do it in a spirit of learning and :hug: inclusiveness. I hope we do anyway

[Blackcat31]

...almost sounds like a "sneaky" way to get some one on one for their child.

Especially because she HAS participated in the past.

Personally, if THEY have the issue then THEY have to figure it out. On all the days that DCD marked a red x, I'd ask HIM what HE plans to do about it.

[melilley]

Oooo. Zeee Eeevil Paaagan Holidays :: Yeah, I actually had one family tell me that was worse than celebrating Christmas or Sukkot or Halloween or anything.

They didn't last long My philosophy is that anyone who attends here is welcome to share their holidays with our group, so that we all can learn about people who are like us in many ways, and different in some ways. We do it in a spirit of learning and :hug: inclusiveness. I hope we do anyway

I think it's interesting to learn about other people's beliefs. I myself am not sure what I believe in and embarrassingly, I don't really know much about any belief or religion. My dad was (he passed away) a born again Christian and his church scared the crap out of me when I was younger so I've shied away from any church.

[Bookworm]

Blackcat's, I like your suggestion of putting it back on them. They're not new to their religion. Mom told us that. It just seems strange that it was ok earlier in the year and now it's not.

Country, my Director has asked to meet with them to work on a solution. Like I said we're worried about appearing insensitive and offending them.

Hazel, this has never been an issue before. We are advertised as a Christian Daycare so most people understand we celebrate "Christian" holidays. The parents of the DCG in my class told us up front about their religion and that they won't bring her for any celebrations.

DCG's teachers are going to do generic seasonal projects with her so she doesn't feel left out. But until they have the meeting with her parents, she'll just come to my class while they do their holiday project.

[nannyde]

I would have them either come get her a half hour before the party or have them pay for a staff assistant for her during that time.

[Unregistered]

Who in the world enrolls their child in a day care that is advertised as a Christian day care and gets upset about all the holiday celebrations?? Since they have this belief should they have ways to work around the other celebrations. This can't be the first time they or someone they know have faced this. Shouldn't their church know ways to avoid difficult situations such as these?

Could the director maybe get in touch with the local Kingdom hall and ask for ways to work through this? Also they might want to consult their lawyer just incase. We live in such a litigious time and I wouldn't put it past someone to try and find a reason to sue.

Please let us know what happens

[CraftyMom]

Who in the world enrolls their child in a day care that is advertised as a Christian day care and gets upset about all the holiday celebrations??

I wouldn't put it past someone to try and find a reason to sue.

This is what I thought of when I read that you are Christian day care. Why did they enroll? Almost like they are looking for trouble

[Unregistered]

Could they be new to a religion that doesn't participate in holidays? Maybe they just recently started going to a church that doesn't believe in this.

This maybe an excellent time to talk to parents about this. Explain to them that the center will try in all ways to accomodate but if not possible she will either need picked up or sent to the office to do quiet activities.

Having them learn this at an early age with their child will prepare them for the road ahead for school.

No, it won't. I live in a sue happy state. Everyone has a lawyer in the family. Schools/classes have to accommodate children who don't celebrate and you can't deny them a public education. My nephew has holidays taken away from his public school. He's also had things changed to "winter" festivals and other such nonsense. In my local area, the Jewish school burned down. They housed in the public school while their school was being rebuilt. They had week long holidays. A lot of the summer got cut to accommodate them, because they are legally entitled to a public education. It's all about the minority now and who lawyers up first.