To not have a party for DD 3rd birthday

[Abridget7]

My dd is soon to be 3. Would I be a terrible parent if I didn't host or organise a big party for them??

I was thinking instead of going to our local zoo, having some family & grandparents over for cake in the afternoon. So we'll still make a big fuss of her.

I just feel this guilt for not organising a proper party. She's at a nursery and I know a few of the mums but she's leaving there soon for a new pre-school. Next year of course I'll do something with her class or any friends she makes.

Is that acceptable or should I be doing more

No, I realise now (after throwing several large class parties) that the party is for the parents more than the child, the children always get over excited and overwhelmed. For me I think it was partially keeping up with the Joneses, I can do what you do even though I'm a single parent - to show I could provide for my Dd I suppose and that she wasn't going without. Parties were stressful and expensive and when Dd was about 7 she told me she didn't like them and all the fuss and just wanted to go out for the day with her best friend which we've done since then.

I say get away with it as long as you can!

If there is cake and a happy birthday song I'm sure that will be fine.

Has she been invited to lots of parties?? If not the definitely don't bother. My eldest is 4 and some of their nursery classmates are starting to have parties but not that many.

Of course not. My son didn't have a party till reception year when everyone else started having one

Having a birthday party is not a requirement. I didn't get one every year when I was a child. If she's 3 she won't even miss it. Do you think she remembers what happened for her second birthday?

It's fine. Have a lovely day.

I didn’t do parties till my sons were 5 years old, it’s too difficult before because their parents usually like to stay.

Totally fine.
I'm not having one until he's at school.

Absolutely fine! Honestly, don't get on the big party treadmill until you absolutely have to. It's not fun.

Your idea sounds perfect

We only did big parties 5,6,7 as before then there was no point and after it was closer friends.

I took my daughter to a third birthday party at 2y9 months and she hated it! Too many children, too manic. Other kids seemed to be loving it though so mine might be a bit odd 😂 On that basis we decided not to bother, just had family over and saved some money too. I don’t think parties at that age are important to be honest. If you want to do it, do it, but don’t feel bad if you don’t!