When preparing a birthday celebration for a young child, it is easier than you may think. What you need is to recognize what is important to you and understand how easy your child's birthday can be. We just have to acknowledge how simple the message of love truly is.
The goal is to impress upon your child how special he is. Prepare his favorite meal, invite his favorite people, and decorate with his favorite colors-shapes cut out of construction paper will do the trick. Have the cake specialized (affordably) at the grocery store; maybe bake it yourself.
Make sure that the people invited are people that are important to your child. Grandparents are often excellent people to keep in your child's life, and add the needed love and accepted feeling that we are trying to bring to this celebration. Often a grandmother will be willing to help you organize, decorate, or even will set up the whole shebang.
Entertainment at these celebrations can be inexpensive or free: pull a favorite board game out of the closet, or provide an art project that everyone can work on together. The feeling of unity surrounding this special day will make a lasting impression, teaching your child valuable lessons about love and his special place in the world. As amusing as a clown may be, as much fun as any expensive entertainment may be, I do not suggest going this route. Not only is this unnecessary, but also is unlikely to foster unanimity the way less passive activities would.
Of course, any gifts your child receives are to be enjoyed thoroughly. But remember that toys will only last a short time. The memories you create will last a lifetime. So make sure that the celebration where your child receives those gifts is positive. I suggest all toys be carefully screened. Give all party attendees advanced notice of the kind of toys you would prefer your child to have. This means you need to have criteria as to what makes a toy age appropriate. Every parent gets to make this decision for themselves, and I find that if you broadcast your feelings beforehand it avoids the unpleasantness of having to disappoint both child and gift-giver by confiscating the new favorite.
Remember, you want your child not only to be happy today, but to grow to be a productive and positive adult. So start the day with a hug, and be festive and joyous, but make sure that every day boundaries still exist. Children will try to get away with unacceptable behavior if they think you will allow it. Testing limits is their job, setting limits is yours. If disciplining on your child's special day makes you uncomfortable, you may modify your discipline methods. But if you start letting go of the rules it allows the child to be egocentric at a time when community and love are being celebrated.
Make each birthday as memorable and full of love as the day you brought your child into the world. It takes much less effort than you think, and I am convinced you will be pleased with the outcome. Just remember that it is a day when the community comes together to celebrate your child's specialness. Your child will thank you.
The goal is to impress upon your child how special he is. Prepare his favorite meal, invite his favorite people, and decorate with his favorite colors-shapes cut out of construction paper will do the trick. Have the cake specialized (affordably) at the grocery store; maybe bake it yourself.
Make sure that the people invited are people that are important to your child. Grandparents are often excellent people to keep in your child's life, and add the needed love and accepted feeling that we are trying to bring to this celebration. Often a grandmother will be willing to help you organize, decorate, or even will set up the whole shebang.
Entertainment at these celebrations can be inexpensive or free: pull a favorite board game out of the closet, or provide an art project that everyone can work on together. The feeling of unity surrounding this special day will make a lasting impression, teaching your child valuable lessons about love and his special place in the world. As amusing as a clown may be, as much fun as any expensive entertainment may be, I do not suggest going this route. Not only is this unnecessary, but also is unlikely to foster unanimity the way less passive activities would.
Of course, any gifts your child receives are to be enjoyed thoroughly. But remember that toys will only last a short time. The memories you create will last a lifetime. So make sure that the celebration where your child receives those gifts is positive. I suggest all toys be carefully screened. Give all party attendees advanced notice of the kind of toys you would prefer your child to have. This means you need to have criteria as to what makes a toy age appropriate. Every parent gets to make this decision for themselves, and I find that if you broadcast your feelings beforehand it avoids the unpleasantness of having to disappoint both child and gift-giver by confiscating the new favorite.
Remember, you want your child not only to be happy today, but to grow to be a productive and positive adult. So start the day with a hug, and be festive and joyous, but make sure that every day boundaries still exist. Children will try to get away with unacceptable behavior if they think you will allow it. Testing limits is their job, setting limits is yours. If disciplining on your child's special day makes you uncomfortable, you may modify your discipline methods. But if you start letting go of the rules it allows the child to be egocentric at a time when community and love are being celebrated.
Make each birthday as memorable and full of love as the day you brought your child into the world. It takes much less effort than you think, and I am convinced you will be pleased with the outcome. Just remember that it is a day when the community comes together to celebrate your child's specialness. Your child will thank you.
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