My son's 3rd birthday is this Sunday and we want to do something fun indoors for him. The thing is we have a 2 week old! I don't want to go anywhere that is major germ infest ( such as pump it up, etc) any ideas? I was thinking maybe the Children's Museum in Ann Arbor but I am not sure if we should take our 2 week old out? Any thoughts?? Thanks
The Hand's On Museum in A. Arbor is fun. However, in my opinion it isn't any different (germ wise) than Jungle Java, etc. There are sooo many kids that come and go in there, it is the perfect place for germs...wet areas, knobs, blocks,handles,buttons, on and on. If you are planning on going to the Hands On, I would leave the newborn at home. just my opionion. Good luck
Do you have a baby carrier? Check out www.heavenlyhold.com or www.frogmama.com for some ideas on wraps, slings, soft structured carriers, etc. This would help you keep the baby close and keep strangers' wandering fingers and curious germy mouths away from the newbie....BTW - slings are safe with proper use! The ones to avoid are not sold on either one of the above sites that I mentioned.
At the same time though, I wouldn't worry too much about germs, as long as no strangers are touching the new baby, and you are all washing your hands diligently. (I will say that I found that my 2nd and 3rd kids got sick sooner than my first -- the big ones are germ-magnets!)
I LOVE the AA children's museum! Or, how about ice skating or Jungle Java or Open Gym at a gymnastics place? Chuck E. Cheese?
u could go to the community pool! or stay at a hotel with a pool! Like the one on 15 and vanddyke
We will be in a similar situation... I am having a c-section 3 days before my son's 3rd bday next month. We decided to have the party a week or so early so it is about him. But we decided to do it at home. Invite family and friends. Have a lunch (pulled BBQ sandwiches, potato salad, cake/cookies, etc.) Everything I can either cater or get at Sam's club since I won't want to cook a week before I'm due. He wants a CARS movie theme. We are going to do a version of 'pin the tail on the donkey' If I can find a cars one. or I might make one. And have a pinata with candy, etc. stuff we can do in the house/basement. And treat bags for the kids. I figure I have many years ahead when he will want to have parties elsewhere with his school/neighborhood friends. they are less intimate, more expensive, and usually last a few hours, versus having it at home it can last all afternoon with family and close friends. Best of luck with it and congrats on your new baby!!
what about build a bear? and then ice cream afterwards?
In my opinon ... with a baby that young, either get a trusted family member to stay home with baby or just have a small party with closest family/friends at your house. At 3 years old its not like they really understand or "want" to go out to an expensive place for their party. He'll just be happy to have family/friends around, play, get presents and have cake/ice cream!
:) Happy Birthday to your son
From what I have read, newborns this young should not be in a sling.
There has been infant suffocation etc.
Maybe research it online.
Perhaps, ask your Pediatrician.
Ours, did not recommend taking out baby that young, unless necessary or to appointments etc.
But of course, daily life has needs. Can't avoid everything.
But germs can be avoided, sometimes.
my daughter turned 3 when our son was only 2.5 weeks old. We did take them to a bounce house place but the difference was that it was in the midst of summer (so fewer illnesses going around). The plus side is that a 2 week old can remain in his or her carrier the entire time and you can keep anyone away from them (just be sure to wash your hands well before picking the baby up or feeding the baby once you've touched anything in the public area). My husband was able to jump with our daughter while I sat off to the side with the new baby and fed him/watched him sleep. I was never one to keep my newborns at home and away from people but I also had both of my kids in July (so it's a lot easier to take newborns out in the summer than right now, admittedly)... It's purely your own judgement call. I think it would be fine but if you are truly worried, perhaps ask a trusted family member or friend to come over just for a couple hours so that you can take your 3 year old out for a fun (albiet short) special event.
Or the suggestions you've gotten of a small family party at home would be special too. As long as he has a friend or a cousin or two, that are close in age, I'm sure he'll be thrilled.
My son turned 3 in October and we had a small party at home for him. He was perfectly happy. I had one game for him and his friends (pin the spider on the web for a Spiderman theme) but just let them play most of the time. We opened gifts and had cake. Total party time was about 2 hours.
If you wanted to wait to have his party until the baby was older, I think that would be okay too. Especially if you have your heart set on something outside of the home. At this age they don't have a great concept of time, so he won't know that it's weeks after his actual birthday. And I take my almost 14 month old son with me to Jungle Joe's (a bounce warehouse in Kalamazoo) and keep him in the stroller. I just bring snacks & milk with us. He's usually content for most of the hour and a half.
If it were me, I'd go out, but wearing the baby. Do you have a good sling to stick her in? that way you can keep her from coming in contact with anything/anyone yucky.
