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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Half birthdays??

57 replies

Sofiegiraffe · 08/10/2021 05:33

Is this a thing now? I'm seeing it more and more on my social media - people celebrating their babies turning 6 months old and marking the occasion with cake and presents as though it's an actual birthday. A quick Google reveals lots of "half birthday" cakes and banners etc.

Am I missing something? My baby turns 6 months shortly so I'm just wondering if I'd be a terrible mother to not celebrate her "half birthday"?! Confused

OP posts:
Orangejuicemarathoner · 08/10/2021 05:34

well, the baby clearly doesn't know or care!

ThirdElephant · 08/10/2021 05:36

It's for the parents, obviously, but if it gives them something to do and plan for and celebrate then why not? Any excuse for cake is a good excuse for cake in my book!

Sofiegiraffe · 08/10/2021 05:37

Well... yes, I know Grin
I'm more wondering if I'd be judged by society for neglecting to mark the occasion?

OP posts:
Sofiegiraffe · 08/10/2021 05:37

Sorry that was @Orangejuicemarathoner

OP posts:
Justilou1 · 08/10/2021 05:37

Give them half a present, half a card and tell the parents to get over themselves and get half a clue!

Biker47 · 08/10/2021 05:38

@Sofiegiraffe

Well... yes, I know Grin I'm more wondering if I'd be judged by society for neglecting to mark the occasion?
I think you're more likely to be judged for actually "celebrating" it, I would.
ThirdElephant · 08/10/2021 05:40

@Sofiegiraffe

Well... yes, I know Grin I'm more wondering if I'd be judged by society for neglecting to mark the occasion?
Nah. No one worth knowing wastes their time judging the celebration habits of others.
Sofiegiraffe · 08/10/2021 05:41

@ThirdElephant good point Grin

OP posts:
Chunkymenrock · 08/10/2021 05:52

Absolute load of materialistic crap. Don't go there.

JudgementalCactus · 08/10/2021 06:02

I know a couple on social media who got a cake and posted celebration pics for every monthly anniversary of their one year old.

I found it pretentious and over the top. Would never do something like that myself, but to each their own.

Gilly12345 · 08/10/2021 06:22

Sounds stupid to me, Birthdays come around quick enough I don’t really see the point of celebrating at 6 months, more money than sense.

JapanJetplane · 08/10/2021 06:32

I’ve never seen presents and banners. I’ve seen people have a ‘half cake’ for a half birthday, which I think is sweet and harmless.

You’ve presumably attained adulthood if you have a 6mo so you ought to know that this isn’t a thing for which you will be judged if you don’t do it. You can relax on that front.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 08/10/2021 06:41

I've heard of it for children born around Christmas/new year... having the party in the summer instead. (And spreading out presents a bit)

I presume this is an extension of the SM trend of having the various milestone cards to pose with. I've seen them for puppies/kittens too. Harmless really.

mynameiscalypso · 08/10/2021 06:42

My grandpa (who has been dead for many years) always used to send me a card for my half birthday so definitely not something new!

HelenaJustina · 08/10/2021 06:43

I buy my god-son a half birthday present as his birthday is December and it’s a long time to wait for your next present. Usually something to play with outside. No one but me marks the occasion!

Waspsarearseholes · 08/10/2021 06:45

My friend's daughter was born on Christmas day so they always have a party on 25th June, which I think is a lovely idea for the little girl. Otherwise I think it's just commercial wankery

MerylSqueak · 08/10/2021 06:46

We do it because my children's birthdays fall exactly 6 months apart and they were born at times of the day exactly 12 apart. And because DDS birthday is on Jan 1st. We definitely wouldn't ask anybody else to celebrate it. It's a just the four of us thing

MerylSqueak · 08/10/2021 06:46

12 hours

LeonoraFlorence · 08/10/2021 06:47

We don’t celebrate half birthdays but I remember when DD1 turned 6 months taking her to a lovely park and acknowledging in my head it was a special day. Has forgotten it until now but I can still take myself back to pushing her pram through the woods and thinking how lucky I was to have ger :)

Sleepyteach · 08/10/2021 06:50

We were on holiday and went for brunch at a nice restaurant for my daughters half birthday. We were going to go there one day anyway, we just thought it was nice to do it that day. Nothing else special though.

Thatsplentyjack · 08/10/2021 06:53

It's bullshit. Its a non event and I don't know anyone that does this irl.

Mouk · 08/10/2021 06:59

I don't know of anyone who does this.

My daughter was born very close to Christmas day and it's never occurred to me to celebrate a half birthday in June.

ChipsAndKetchup · 08/10/2021 07:04

I know someone that writes certificates every month for their kids birthday. '7 months old today' etc. Puts it all over Facebook.

Really quite strange.

Rosehip10 · 08/10/2021 07:05

People who celebrate these are vulgar.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 08/10/2021 07:15

Personally we celebrate our eldest half birthday every year with an international bank holiday, everyone gets presents, sings songs, eats special food etc. Millions of people celebrate it.

Her actual birthday, at the end of June, is a lot more quiet.