Birthday Party Season
Monday, June 29th, 2015From Monday Mom – Neetika:
Haley hadn’t been to a ton of birthday parties as a toddler. I think a lot of her friends at that age were doing the same thing we did—a small gathering with family rather than a put-on “affair.” But now her playmates are turning four, and many parents we know have given in to the main event. Since we’re heading into summer, I think a lot of pals with summer birthdays have been motivated to have their celebrations before everyone took off on their vacations. Each weekend, we have to remember where we’re going and when, field lots of questions from Haley about whether this or that friend will be there, and most important, remember to get a present!
It’s interesting to see what each family chooses to include at a birthday party. I’m seeing a lot of Do-It-Yourself favors that are really cute. The universal party foods seem to be pizza and cake, though I’m relived that there are usually grown-up snacks and drinks, too. Attendance can be a double-edged sword at times. I’m usually glad that Haley has something somewhat exciting to do on a Saturday, is seeing her friends still even though school is out, and is learning that in life, we need to let someone else be the focus at times. But it’s not always convenient, depending on where the party is and the other plans we made for the weekend. I don’t always love splitting the family in half during what’s supposed to be quality time. But overall, it’s been really fun. I’m grateful Haley is being included—there are worse things than too many party invitations.
Haley is really excited for her birthday party now. She doesn’t have a firm concept of time, so it’s lost on her that April is very far away and a lot will change in terms of her friends and interests between now and then. Fortunately, her little brother turns one in a few months; I have a feeling that when I plan that party, I will have an experienced little helper on my hands who knows precisely how to make it great.