Pure Parents

Question:

I agree, at one the parties are really for the parents, because the kids don’t understand and don’t care! So if you want to do something special, go ahead, but there’s really no strong reason to make it into a big deal. –Summer – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Parties for one year olds are pretty optional, I think. > The baby doesn’t care!  Why not just have an especially > nice dinner and let baby snort some cake (if > cake falls into the nutrirional guidelines for > one year olds).  In other words, you needn’t > get worked up about it!  There will be plenty of > birthdays to agonize over in the years to come. > Enid >Ok – all you experienced parents.  My son turns 1 in August and we > live in >an area where it is very hot and humid in the summer so an outdoor > bday >party isn’t really doable.  Do I spend the money and do it at one of > those >over-priced pizza or fun-palace places.  My son won’t even know what’s >going on.  We live out in the country in a small trailer so doing the > party >there doesn’t really sound that great either.  Please someone out > there >come up with a great idea for me! >–

Response:

My daughter turned one last July.  I live in an apartment, so, like you, having a party in my home wouldn’t work.  What I did was rent a picnic pavilion at a local park.  It was a beautiful day and the party was great.  I had about 50 people there for a bbq (grill was on premises).  We played volleyball.  There was a playground there for the kids.  It only costs about 35 dollars to rent it.  Check out the ones in your area.  There was plenty of shade and woods nearby so it never got too hot.  I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Response:

Ok – all you experienced parents.  My son turns 1 in August and we live in an area where it is very hot and humid in the summer so an outdoor bday party isn’t really doable.  Do I spend the money and do it at one of those over-priced pizza or fun-palace places.  My son won’t even know what’s going on.  We live out in the country in a small trailer so doing the party there doesn’t really sound that great either.  Please someone out there come up with a great idea for me! —

Response:

> Ok – all you experienced parents.  My son turns 1 in August and we live in > an area where it is very hot and humid in the summer so an outdoor bday > party isn’t really doable.  Do I spend the money and do it at one of those > over-priced pizza or fun-palace places.  My son won’t even know what’s > going on.  We live out in the country in a small trailer so doing the party > there doesn’t really sound that great either.  Please someone out there > come up with a great idea for me! > —

When my son turned one, we had planned on having a big family party at our house.  On the day of the party, there was a huge snowstorm and no one made it to the party.  It ended up being just a birthday cake with mom, dad and 2 brothers.  I don’t think my one year old noticed nor cared who was there — he just enjoyed stuffing his face with cake.  A party for a one year old turns out to be more for the parents than for the child.  I’d suggest reconsidering having it in your trailer.

Response:

You could considerer this a party for your child, but I once read something in a parenting book that said a child’s first birthday should be a celebration for the parents; having got through the first year of parenting AND in celebration for you – the mom – that this is your one year annaversary of having given birth. Get a cupcake and take a photo of your baby for his baby book, but other than that; make it a party for YOU! Do something special like go out to a great dinner, or buy yourself a new outfit to celebrate one year of not being pregnant! I have been a mom for almost 12 years and have four kids so trust me when I say that doing something for yourself is often the best thing you can do for your kids (happy mom = happy kids). Good luck and congrats! Kim B.

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