‘I’m the same age as my daughter this year... sort of’

Leap year mother to celebrate 11th birthday

Not many people can claim to be the same age as their daughter, but that is the case for one mum who is looking forward to celebrating her 11th birthday on Saturday.

Claire Rodriguez, from Kingsnorth, is one of only a tiny minority of people who were born on February 29 - a day that only occurs on a leap year.

The early years practitioner is preparing to mark her birthday this weekend - something she was last able to do in 2016 during the most recent leap year.

Mrs Rodriguez said: “I was born in 1976, so 44 years ago, but really I’m celebrating my 11th birthday this year, which is the same age as my daughter, Ava.

“It’s really special and not something many people get to celebrate, and Ava is really excited.

“Ava’s birthday is in July and we will obviously be celebrating both days individually, but we’re thinking of doing something to mark both, closer to her birthday in the summer.”

A select few celebrities were born on leap days, including EastEnders actress Rakhee Thakrar and singer-songwriter Mark Foster.

The list also includes American rapper Ja Rule, with whom Mrs Rodriguez shares an exact birthday.

And the rare date means Mrs Rodriguez is left with an odd choice of when to celebrate her birthday three out of four years.

She said: “When your birthday falls on a leap year, everyone wants to know when you’re supposed to celebrate on the other three years.

“I’ve always liked to keep it simple, so whenever it’s not a leap year I celebrate on the 28th.

“What that does is provide this really weird feeling on a leap year, because I have to wait an extra day.

“I wake up almost ready to celebrate on the 28th before I think, ‘oh wait, it’s tomorrow’ but it always feels that bit more special on the day.

“Whenever it’s a leap year I always get cards for both ages - so when I was 40 I got loads of cards for my 10th birthday.”

The mum-of-one, who was born in London and moved to Kingsnorth 13 years ago, says she has yet to meet anyone in the Ashford area also born on a leap year.

She explained: “Weirdly enough we have a family friend who was also born on a leap year, which is equally rare I suppose.

“There is a Facebook group for people born on a leap year, and there are a few from London but there are none from Ashford.”

‘Caitlin is clued up about her birthday now and she jokes that she’s nearly two before telling them she’s a leap year baby...’ - mum Helen

Claire and Ava Rodriguez, from Kingsnorth, are both going to turn 11 this year