Mom of four adults here: I learned to keep b day parties to no longer than 1.5 hours. Drop off only (no parents) and invite the number of my child’s age plus one. And after the age of 10 parties at milestone birthdays ((13, 16 etc)
This is all very wise advice. You're a party genius! As soon as they're old enough I'm DEFINITELY going to drop-off and love that idea about only having parties for milestones! Thanks for sharing your wisdom 💛
I'm trying to accomplish buying presents for my daughter (3) and our best friends' kids (2 & 4), who are all having a birthday party together next weekend. My husband would never think to try to figure out what to get the other kids, and I'm trying to stay within certain mutually agreed upon parameters (doesn't take up too much space, not too many small pieces, makes sense in an urban apartment, generally not plastic). It's just . . . so exhausting.
I was about to come on here and air a laundry list of grievances related to this topic. But not only do I not have time to do that, but also no one wants to read that. So suffice it to say that this comic could not have come at a more relatable time. 7/7: my birthday 7/15: my son’s birthday 7/23: my husband’s birthday 😮💨
OOF Meggie, that's INTENSE. Without reading your list of grievances, I know exactly what you're dealing with. And how you probably feel like you totally get the shaft bc is your family making your birthday as special as you're making theirs? DOUBTFUL. Happy belated bday, though! 😵💫
It's a bit past midnight and I'm just finishing pulling together everything for my daughter's 9th birthday party tomorrow. However, she did all the gift bags herself this afternoon (after I stayed up until 2am earlier this week painstakingly searching for cute things to order for Taylor Swift themed party bags) and while she's usually super sweet anyways about being grateful for everything I do and plan for her, she was that much more appreciative today, and was saying she can't believe how much time and effort I've taken in the past to do all the party prep on my own. It's just so nice now that she's old enough to really notice how much I do, but not yet a snotty teenager who takes everything for granted! I just love her so much at this age. ❤️
Her dad and I split up last year, and he'll likely show up late tomorrow, having not paid a penny or lifted a finger, and won't know who half the kids are. However, I see zere difference in how much work I do now for kid celebrations versus when we were together. I'll be mentally rolling my eyes while he's playing super dad and super host, but I'll always invite him if my daughter wants him there.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that your daughter appreciates what you do! That's so nice to hear! And I love that she had a T Swift party. How did it go? Worth it? I hope so!!!!
The appreciation is honestly just the nicest thing in the world. I feel like it's not the doing of things that wears you down, but the doing of all the things and not being seen. So to have my daughter recognise how much effort I put into making nice birthdays makes it so much easier to deal with the sleep deprivation and exhaustion.
The party on Saturday and actual birthday on Tuesday both went great. She was soooo happy with everything, and with seeing her friends excited about the Swiftie theme. And she was actually really proud of herself for having helped out and done the party bags herself. I think that it was a wonderful birthday for her.
Mom of four adults here: I learned to keep b day parties to no longer than 1.5 hours. Drop off only (no parents) and invite the number of my child’s age plus one. And after the age of 10 parties at milestone birthdays ((13, 16 etc)
This is all very wise advice. You're a party genius! As soon as they're old enough I'm DEFINITELY going to drop-off and love that idea about only having parties for milestones! Thanks for sharing your wisdom 💛
My youngest has figured out that I do pretty much all of this work and is NOT SHY about point that out LOUDLY. To her father.
Oh my. I mean, that's kind of great but also not great. THIS IS ALL SO HARD TO NAVIGATE!!!!!
I'm trying to accomplish buying presents for my daughter (3) and our best friends' kids (2 & 4), who are all having a birthday party together next weekend. My husband would never think to try to figure out what to get the other kids, and I'm trying to stay within certain mutually agreed upon parameters (doesn't take up too much space, not too many small pieces, makes sense in an urban apartment, generally not plastic). It's just . . . so exhausting.
Ughhhh so exhausting. I hope the party goes well this weekend! Love the idea of a combo party for 3 kids, though...that's a huge win!
I was about to come on here and air a laundry list of grievances related to this topic. But not only do I not have time to do that, but also no one wants to read that. So suffice it to say that this comic could not have come at a more relatable time. 7/7: my birthday 7/15: my son’s birthday 7/23: my husband’s birthday 😮💨
OOF Meggie, that's INTENSE. Without reading your list of grievances, I know exactly what you're dealing with. And how you probably feel like you totally get the shaft bc is your family making your birthday as special as you're making theirs? DOUBTFUL. Happy belated bday, though! 😵💫
🔨 you hit the nail with that one 🤣
It's a bit past midnight and I'm just finishing pulling together everything for my daughter's 9th birthday party tomorrow. However, she did all the gift bags herself this afternoon (after I stayed up until 2am earlier this week painstakingly searching for cute things to order for Taylor Swift themed party bags) and while she's usually super sweet anyways about being grateful for everything I do and plan for her, she was that much more appreciative today, and was saying she can't believe how much time and effort I've taken in the past to do all the party prep on my own. It's just so nice now that she's old enough to really notice how much I do, but not yet a snotty teenager who takes everything for granted! I just love her so much at this age. ❤️
Her dad and I split up last year, and he'll likely show up late tomorrow, having not paid a penny or lifted a finger, and won't know who half the kids are. However, I see zere difference in how much work I do now for kid celebrations versus when we were together. I'll be mentally rolling my eyes while he's playing super dad and super host, but I'll always invite him if my daughter wants him there.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that your daughter appreciates what you do! That's so nice to hear! And I love that she had a T Swift party. How did it go? Worth it? I hope so!!!!
The appreciation is honestly just the nicest thing in the world. I feel like it's not the doing of things that wears you down, but the doing of all the things and not being seen. So to have my daughter recognise how much effort I put into making nice birthdays makes it so much easier to deal with the sleep deprivation and exhaustion.
The party on Saturday and actual birthday on Tuesday both went great. She was soooo happy with everything, and with seeing her friends excited about the Swiftie theme. And she was actually really proud of herself for having helped out and done the party bags herself. I think that it was a wonderful birthday for her.
Happy Almost Birthday, Teddy! Laura, too... and all of the summer birthdays!