Getting Real with Kira Hazledine
I’m not a fan of children’s birthday parties.
Hallie will be turning two this week, and I’ve been a mom long enough to figure out that I don’t like children’s birthday parties. Not even Hallie’s. I hated every moment of planning her first birthday party, and there weren’t even other children involved. I can’t imagine what it would have been like if I had to sort party favors and activities for young children. It sounds exhausting. It looks exhausting, as I peruse other parent’s pictures of multiple children stuffing their faces with frosting and running around like wild animals.
Do I care if this makes me sound like one of those bad moms? Nah.
I loved that we had a first birthday party for my daughter, and we will throw future first birthday parties for any other children that we have. It’s nice to celebrate with family, and even though I hated every second, I’m still glad that we have those memories to look back on. I also love when Hallie is invited to other birthday parties! I won’t ever deny her that just because I prefer to be in my pajamas. However.
There will be not be huge parties every birthday.
I know parents who absolutely love throwing a party for everyone in their family, every year. That is awesome. It’s a fun time, and I’m glad you have the time and patience to celebrate to that extent. Birthdays should be celebrated every year! But having a whole affair is just not something I have the energy for, nor do I consider it necessary.
Hallie will not have a second birthday party.
Hallie will be celebrated when she turns two. We have already purchased an ice cream cake and presents for Hallie, and her papa is making her favorite meal: homemade macaroni and cheese. Hallie will be spoiled the entire day, but I am not throwing a party beyond immediate family. There will be no party favors, no other children invited, no rentals of any kind.
And Hallie will never know the difference.
Sure, she will look back at pictures and realize that another party was not even considered until about five years old (and I’m still debating on that one). On her actual second birthday, Hallie will not even realize it is her birthday! But it’s not something I feel bad about. Hallie won’t remember these birthday parties, and I just think it’s an expense that my family isn’t capable of at the minute. If we had all the money in the world to throw around and I could pay someone else to plan it all, it might happen. At the same time, if I had all the money in the world I still don’t think I’d throw a party. I’d just pay to take Hallie somewhere awesome and offer an experience instead.
That’s just how I roll though. I’m not the biggest fan of party planning, and I wouldn’t even want to plan my own parties. It’s just so much work and I’m lazy. I love my child, and as Hallie gets older and begs for whatever themed birthday party, I’ll cave. I’ll have other children running all over my house and I’ll feel like I have a hangover for the rest of the weekend. I’ll be cleaning up glitter and toys and smudge prints. I’ll look at my credit card statement shocked that we really spent that much. I’ll do that for all my children as they get older, but these younger years? Not a chance. Open the presents, have some cake, and we will talk about this later. As for the next child’s first birthday, my husband will be planning that one.
