So I have had birthday parties on my brain of late. I find birthdays (at least for my kids) inherently stressful. Birthdays, or at least the planning thereof, stress me out. I do enjoy entertaining, but my resting level of perfectionism, combined with anxiety related to planning an event whereby others may judge me, combined with the anxiety of wanting my child to have a wonderful and memorable birthday, usually yields crazy-making levels of stress.
Sofia turns 6 in April. For some reason, my lovely baby girl number two has not benefited much from my birthday anxiety. (Emma, the first-born, has had some memorable although crazed-mama parties.) Sofia had the big "Baby Turns One" party, of course, but I doubt she remembers that event. I think I convinced her a trip to Disneyland would be a good way to celebrate a birthday or two to avoid the whole party planning craziness. Of course, if mom also gets a trip to Disneyland in the process, who am I to mind? The end result of this haphazard party planning is that my guilt over doing less than my first-born means I worry way too much over every successive birthday.
I just realized that Sofia's 6th birthday will occur during Spring Break and a previously scheduled trip. I figured out I'd have to actually have her birthday celebration at least the week before our trip and that is in March, exactly two months away and clearly into the "planning window." Now for me, two months before the actual event seems like it would be sufficient to plan an actual party. Somehow I use this timeline every year. Yet, every year I am reminded that I must be radically different from other moms in my area. (You think with all of the data I process on a regular basis confirming this fact, I would just accept this, but alas I still find it mind-boggling.)
Sofia mentioned a gymnastic party. Unfortunately, the gym I used for one of Emma's party's closed over a year ago. Today, 2 months before the date, I called the other gym in town to find my prospective date booked, as well as the week before and the week after. How do these moms do it? Do they really manage parenting, work, home, marriage, health, etc., etc., etc. and find time to book their kid's parties more than 2 months in advance? I think this happens to me at least once a year with each child, which may also be why we tend to have a lot of parties at home.
I do dream of having the "outside the home" birthday party every year. You know, the fantasy of planning a party for your child where they have a fabulous time and you do nothing? Perhaps snap a few pictures, and bask in the glory of the perfect party? Somehow I have never achieved that goal. Even when I have attempted such a feat, I mess it up by adding on some drama and craziness. Remember the previously-mentioned gym party for my older daughter? Just show up with a cake and snacks and they do the rest? I invited everyone and even more guests to the house after for a huge BBQ. Actually, I think that was the only time I ever had a chance at a work-free or work-limited party. The only other time we had a party away from home was a party in August in the park. Emma had a great time, but carting party stuff to the hot park was a stupid stupid idea (especially when we had a pool at home and could have been swimming rather than sweating).
Okay, I have meandered around in this post and really am not sure what has been resolved at this point. I know I should KISS or Keep It Simple Stupid. I should come up with an easy way to celebrate my daughter and help her feel special and enjoy her family and friends. I know I usually make it much harder than I have to. I have learned that no matter how much I worry over tiny details and party faux pas, my daughters have rarely noticed. I know no matter how much I aspire to be on top of the details in my life, like birthdays and parties, I should just be happy with the details I do stay on top of which I know I must have some, right? Okay, clearly still not resolved about anything as yet. What about you? Are you happy with your party planning solutions? Do you have any suggestions on the best way to celebrate birthdays for kids?
