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Behaviour/development

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Original poster

DD does not want birthday party!

10 replies

thebird · 27/04/2011 22:37

Help! DD will be 4 next month and im trying to plan her birthday party. Trouble is she says she does not want one. Last month she wanted a bouncy castle and the whole nursery class and now she is saying she doesn't want a party, just cake and presents!

Great you might think, but given that she is going through a very contrary threenager/ tricky 3/4 phase at the moment she could decide on the day -where's my party! Help

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Rosebud05 · 27/04/2011 22:45

I'd say that you should decide what works for you and will most likely work for dd (numbers, venue, activites etc) and offer her that. My dd has just turned 4 and both last year and this year was very specific about her birthday requirements ie presents, cake, no-one blowing her candles out. We had very small at home parties (3 guests last year, 4 this) which she found plenty exciting enough. Hence, a party to look forward to and plan but without the stress and expense of a huge one.

Rosebud05 · 27/04/2011 22:46

In fact, at one point this year, it looked like there might only be 2 friends coming round but as long as there's cake, presents, fun things to do and a bit of party food, hell it's a party.

Original poster

thebird · 27/04/2011 22:52

So funny Rosebud05 that you mentioned about candles because she had also specified this!

OP posts:

kreecherlivesupstairs · 28/04/2011 07:48

I think most children are protective about their candles. DD is even now and she is ten in a fortnight.
On her 7th birthday, the sister of one of her friends had the temerity to blow her candles out. She was inconsolable. Last year, I put sparklers on her cake rather than candles, cue meltdown in our kitchen. I've learned my lesson.

COCKadoodledooo · 28/04/2011 08:03

Ds1 didn't even have a party until he was 6! Can you organise a special day out somewhere (theme park, zoo?), followed by cake and candles?

sageygirl · 28/04/2011 09:32

DS had a day out with a friend for his 8th birthday and we had fun. Not all kids like parties, DS gets stressed and tends to blow up unfortunately. I do agree that at 4 they can change their minds so easily and get cross with the plans, even though they asked for them just a few hours before. If it was me, I'd probably go along with what she asked for though would try to find out (not often possible with mine at 4) why she changed her mind. Could you get a small bouncy castle at home?

Rosebud05 · 28/04/2011 09:59

Another possibility is spreading out the celebrations at a bit ie special day out one day, presents and cake at home on actual day, cake into nursery on another day, family visiting another day. You don't have to go through the stress of having a 'party' but all the pleasant constituent parts of will be covered without too much stress, hassle and expense.

Mummyloveskisses · 29/04/2011 00:47

I agree a few balloons, buffet, cake, candles, presents and music makes a party.... 2 or 3 guest and she'll be happy. DD (3.4yrs) had this party and loved it :)

On the other side of the coin my DS1 had a family party for his 1st-4th birthdays then a school friends one at 5 and none since.... every year I offer anything and anywhere but he refuses... says he likes it ''just us'' he is now 13.7years)

cat64 · 29/04/2011 00:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ragged · 29/04/2011 08:05

A small party sounds like a a good compromise. DD didn't have any "parties" until she was 6 or 7yo. She preferred family days out.

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