making dd's birthday special during isolation

[pinklemonade84]

dd is going to be 4 on Easter Monday and obviously with everything going on plans have understandably been cancelled

we're currently self isolating as she suffers with her chest (although not diagnosed asthmatic) and she was hospitalised before Christmas. We've not been anywhere other than a 7.30am trip to feed the ducks (we saw no one else and would have turned around if we had), despite strops from her grandad that he misses her

I'm desperate for ideas on how to make the day special for her. We were thinking of putting up some balloons and banners for her, and making her favourite foods during the day. We've bought a few extra presents. But I'm feeling guilty that she's potentially going to have a rubbish day and there's not really a lot I can do to make it better

Does anyone have any other suggestions please? I know it's not particularly important in the grand scheme of things. But she's my little girl and I want her to have the best day possible despite the situation we're in xx

Yep I get this, my DS turns 6 in about a week and we have had to cancel everything. Which in the grand scheme of things is not a big deal but feels like it.
We have bought a few extra presents, booked video calls with his fav people through out the day. Also promised when things are back to normal that we will do some days out to where he likes.
I remind myself that he will feed off my emotions so trying to be upbeat about it and he is taking it rather well.

My daughters 7th birthday is the same day she was distraught when we said her party was being postponed ...made more difficult because she has ASD and once plans are made it's hard to change them. We have done the same as you and ordered balloons/ banners / cakes etc and will have a " party" at home just us and her siblings with presents.

I saw somehting on BBC this morning where a little boy had booked a frozen party, they did it all virtually, the entertainers still did the party, all the kids watched from their own homes. Would something like that be possible?

I totally get this. My DD will be ten a few days after Easter weekend and after just receiving the all clear three weeks ago after recovering from a bone tumour in her leg she’s now facing all the things we had planned cancelled. To appease the situation I ordered her a trampoline but it was delayed so now when it finally does arrive I’ve no one to help me put it up .. she’s so upset and I know it seems like a first world problem but my heart breaks for her as she’s been unable to do any physical activity for two years also I can’t get everything I need to make her a cake . It’s so difficult trying to think of ways to still make it a special day

Ah, I feel so guilty that I have cried over this very same problem for my nearly 5 year old! I know it's nothing in the grand scheme of things but we just want to make our babies birthdays so special don't we. My heart breaks evey time mine asks if we've had any more responses to his now cancelled party. I've explained but he just doesn't really understand!

Good point to pp though - they will respond to how we react so it'll be banners, balloons and games all day here (though I may end up working for a bit) and then we'll make it up to him as soon as we can!

Thanks for the space to get that down - don't feel like I can moan about it in real life xx

Just a few ideas-
Present hunt around the house with clues
Slumber party in the evening where she chooses a film, gets into PJs and has popcorn and pick n mix
You could bake a cake/cookies together - get stuff in so she can get messy and decorate them
Build a den together for her to play in with her new birthday toys
Ask family to give her a call/video chat

I'm sure if you keep her busy she wont dwell on it and have a lovely day!

Have 2 kids who are now grown up and used to put a huge amount of effort into their birthdays, which they now barely remember. I promise you your 4 year old will not have a rubbish day. At her age her parents are more important to her than anyone else. Spend the day having fun quality time with her, but try not to overwhelm her and don’t be disappointed if she loses interest in an activity sooner than you had planned. Don’t worry about most of the day just being normal. Most parties for kids that age are over and done in 2 hours max.

What about a present hunt, with age appropriate clues. You could do them on your phone. Audio, video, photos would all work and it takes a lot more time than just opening her presents all at once. Take the time for her to play with and enjoy each present before moving onto the next clue.

why dont you ask friends/family to record birthday messages for her and you can play them on the day

Banners, punch balloons filled with rice (hoover on standby for inevitable popping 🙄), their favourite food for lunch/dinner, cake, extra treats like mini Swiss rolls & fairy cakes etc, let them choose what films you watch, what games you play, if rubbish weather a hunt round the house of chocolate/little Easter treats. Disco in the living room with YouTube on the tv, hide and seek etc

If you have a smart phone and or laptop then down load some video editing software. Upload lots of photos showing her developing from a as scan photo to a baby to where she is now. Maybe get some family to email you videos saying how much they love her and what their favourite memory together is?

Treasure hunt in the house/garden.

Crafting and the like.

I posted a really similar dilemma last week as DS turned 4 on Friday. In the end it was a GREAT day. He came down in the morning to a room full of balloons and his gifts which was very exciting.
I had some very helpful friends who did a run to the shop for a cake and treats like chocolate buttons, jelly tots etc. We had an ice cream buffet which he LOVED.
In the afternoon I did a treasure hunt for him in the garden with a map - again he loved it. He was also allowed to pick whatever he wanted for breakfast lunch and dinner which turned into a reasonable cocopops / pizza and beans on toast combination.
It was a lovely day. Lego and lots of presents (though small) helped. We bigged it up loads

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3850416-AIBU-to-ask-for-4th-party-ideas
This was my thread. Some super ideas on there

Pass the parcel. Always popular, and you don't have to put big things in, just a chocolate or a pencil or something. You might even find bits and bobs around the house. You can wrap them in newspaper.

I hope your girl has a lovely day, but if you can get her a present and a cake then I'm sure she will bit of party music and general fuss will be fine. They're easily pleased at that age.

Thank you so much for all of the suggestions so far

@KTD27 it's your thread that I've been looking for as I remember seeing it and thinking "oh I'll come back to that" and then totally forgot what the name was 🤦🏻‍♀️

I'm going to send the hubby out for a little cake for her and I've promised that as soon as this is all over that we'll go for a long weekend at nana and granddad's caravan like we'd originally planned

She's just asked about going on the machines and I've had to tell her again that we won't be going, but I've promised her presents and lots of fun and her favourite food. And her response was "I like chippies and crisps. Daddy likes broccoli" 🤣