YOUR KID’S PARTY CAN BE FUN FOR YOU TOO!
There’s three months to go before your little one’s birthday and you’re already feeling panicked? And for good reason, because let’s face it, next to Christmas this is the most important day of their lives (to them). Will you meet your child’s expectations? Where will the party be? Who to invite? Here are a few simple tricks to avoid party-panic mode and have fun with it!
Avoid the panic monster!
We all have the potential to procrastinate. Especially as parents because we are juggling so many roles. But by doing this we create chaos and stress, which can easily be avoided. Our kids also tend to change their minds about which characters/themes they favour. One week it’s Dora the Explorer, the next it’s Marshall from Paw Patrol, which makes it hard to plan ahead! But there are certain things you can do to plan ahead. For one you can decide on a venue, how many guests you will be hosting and who will bake the cake. Plan ahead and watch your stress levels simmer.
A venue for less stress
Ok so there are a select few of us who, for one have the space, and the ability to host a flawless party at home. So why not take it to a venue who has experience doing this kind of thing every other day. Order your theme décor online and let the venue do the rest! Plus they give you catering suggestions depending on the time you schedule the party. Best of all? No mess to clean up afterwards.
Keep your guestlist simple
Gone are the days you need to invite your child’s whole class to the party! Avoid the stress of having to impress and entertain people you hardly know. Instead assess who your child’s closest friends are in the coming months. You will also feel less pressure to impress people who are genuinely there because they care about your child.
What’s your price?
‘Keeping up with the Joneses’ has parents spending insane amounts on parties! Ditch that idea, but there’s also no need to skimp on costs if you plan ahead financially. Open a birthday savings account so that you’re not left out of pocket. Get all your quotes and do your online research while creating an excel sheet with an estimated budget. But alas, we all know there are those nasty costs that sneak up on one just before the big day, so a savings account just lightens the financial load.
What’s up for grub!
Taste in food rarely changes at the last minute. This is something you can plan way ahead of time. Don’t go too original on this one, there are been there, done that, catering examples for a reason. Because they work. The job now is to find the correct supplier. This applies if you are not taking the party to a venue.
Gift expectations
Your child’s birthday gift/gifts are usually decided two weeks or so before the birthday. Again, because kids vary in taste, the best idea is to send out gift ideas to all guests approximately two weeks before the party. This way, guests don’t struggle in choosing a gift and you can stress less about your child having post gift disappointment. Also be attentive to your child’s interests for best gift choices.
Don’t sweat it
On the day there will be things that don’t go as planned! This always happens. It’s best to accept this fact, embrace it and once you do this, it won’t bother you as much on the day. Your child is tuned into your behaviour, despite your best attempts to hide it. So if you’re stressed, he or she will struggle to enjoy their special day.
Entertainment?
So, you don’t want children looking bored and wandering around aimlessly. This will embarrass your child and elevate your stress levels. This doesn’t have to cost a lot. But have activities planned to keep the party vibe high and exciting. Other parents will thank you, as this gives everyone a chance to relax and have a break while the kids have fun.
The parents matter too
On the day, parents tend to stress out if they can’t see their kids and can never really relax adding to your stress. The designated area for parents should allow them to easily see their children while enjoying a snack and beverage. Some kid’s parties don’t take the parents into consideration, and let’s face it, there are so many parties to attend and it’s important that parents also get to enjoy time together.
Now go ahead, plan the best party for your child, without the stress that comes with it!