Here's my dilemma... I'm looking to make my boys day a special one... he's turning FIVE, and its a very big deal to him...we're havng a party for him and his 'non-school' friends (30 of them) at a 'gym' place, however, his real bday falls on a thursday, so we wanted to do something special... but WHAT??? i was thinking of inviting the boys from his class and may be going bowling, but again, it would be thursday afternoon... we live in a condo, so to invite 7,8 five year olds over, can you say DISSASTER ??? there's really not enough space... no back yard... what should i do? i'll make cake, have family come over, order a pizza, but thats just so boring, i guess... i really want to make his day fun!!!! any suggestions??? oh, and BtW, i thought of the firehouse, to take him and his freinds there after school, but someone else is doing that the following weekend, i dont want to steel their thunder... lol... HELP ME!!!! i just want my kid to enjoy his day!!!!
One party is enough. On the actual day-do something just the family. Go out to dinner to his favorite place.
Ask his teacher if you can bring treats in for the class on his birthday. Let him pick what he wants for his birthday dinner. That really should be enough considering you are having a party for him another day. Honestly, I think he'll enjoy his day. Kids are simple creatures, they like to play more with the cardboard box than the gift that came in it. Gotta love them!
What answer are you looking for?
He is 5. He is having 30 people at a party, for a 5 year old! I guess I don't see the urgency here, I think you are already doing way more than a 5 year old needs, or that is good for him at age 5. What more does he expect such that he would not enjoy his day? Those are pretty high standards and expectations for a 5 year old to have for himself (if they are his expectations) Most 5 year olds will never have a 30 person party, maybe not in their entire lives.
Maybe you live in a very wealthy community where this is the expectation, but even when you can purchase your children the moon, that does not mean that you should or that it would be good for them if you got it.
One party is more than enough when you are already inviting 30 people. Never under estimate the value of teaching your children about humility and good sense! If he won't be happy with a meal, "happy birthday" and a present with his family, then the help that you really need has nothing to do with a birthday party. Let this go!
M.
IMO age 5 is old enough to start learning that "special" doesn't need to be "big, noisy, and costing extra money", especially when the "special" day falls on a school day. A lot of times our childrens' idea of "special" could be as simple as serving dinner on special plates, making a "happy birthday" placemat, and putting a candle on dessert. I don't think kids are born with a sense that "special" is measured by the amount of time and money spent on it, and if we can model ways of having fun with our kids that don't involve spending a lot of $, they'll learn a valuable life lesson while having fun in the process - win-win in my book :-). Conversely, if we as parents consciously or unconsciously buy in to this notion that we need to spend a lot of $ to make our kids feel "special", they're more likely to start thinking that things that cost more money are supposed to be more fun.
and my guess is that for most 5YO's - a birthday with family, pizza, and cake probably doesn't seem boring at all. Maybe when they're tweens they might complain about it, but probably not at age 5 - just my two cents ;-)
If I was already throwing him a party.. on the actual day, let him pick where he wants to eat or what he wants you to cook for his birthday..Have a small cake and just the family will be there.This is when n you can give him the gift from you and your husband.
. That is what we always did with our daughter..
If you want to have another event, but I do not think it is necessary..
Sounds like you have the "friend" party planned already. On his actual birthday just do something with your family. Go out to his favorite restaurant, maybe visit a place he likes...the zoo, children's museum. He knows he's having the big party on another day.
You are already having a party for him. That's fine.
Why have 2 parties??? But why is his party with non-school friends? Why not just combine it with his school friends too????
You are having a big party for him already.... 30 friends!
For Thursday, just explain to him, that his party of on a certain date... because having it on a weekday is hard. He is 5. He can understand that.
Just for at home on that day of Thursday, get some balloons for him at home to decorate, get him a little cake and candles, have a nice dinner. That's enough. He can open a few presents you have for him, then. From you and Daddy.
He KNOWS he is having a party already. That is sufficient.
The 'party' does not have to be an all out tizzy of excitement.
My kids are 4 and 8... and sometimes we've just had something at home with family... a dinner, cake and open presents. They were happy with that and did NOT 'expect' a full blown party....
all the best,
Susan
