No party again - how bad is that?

[ballbaby]

Ds1 is 4 next week. He had parties for 1 and 2, but missed last year (ds2 had just been born) and I was so stressed leading up to this Christmas i haven't organised anything this year. Will probably go out for a nice meal with best friends but it's not the same is it? Am i a bad mother?

er no... My eldest had a 1st birthday party and then didnt have another on until his 6th ( this yr)

ds2 has never had a party, he is now 3 years old.

I dont feel like a bad mother, neither should you.

More than two friends is a party, why not invite a couple of friends round for tea, jazz up the table, bit of pass the parcel and musical chairs and bob's yer uncle.. party on, guilt gone. Easy!

But on the other hand, dinner out sounds quite special too and grown up! He'll probably love it.

DD always gets a little party but we always bugger up DS's as it is so close to Christmas .

As long as he gets made a fuss of, has some nice presents to open etc he'll be happy. Agree that the meal out with friends sounds like a nice treat

Thanks - that's just what I needed to hear

TBO thats just how I feel.

We ARE going ahead with a party - 3 year old - but not at all cos I want to but because you feel so bad for not doing it, plus I am having a baby this april so the chance of their being one next year is slim.

I don't think, well I know that DS would not even be that bothered about not having a party anyway cos he is too young and would be just as happy if not more happy just having grandma round for tea.

So why do we do it??

Does everyone else have parties all the time, whats the score, cos I never know!!!

I have to say that I don't think you are a bad mother. What I will say is that childhood is very brief and I cannot imagine missing the chance to give my DD a birthday party and to make special memories for her.

ppb - love your nickname - I could have been JennyJellylegs
Will definitely make an effort next year, but the only thing he keeps talking about is his cake (we always get a smarties one and it's scrummy) so I think he's going to be happy wherever we go as long as we take the cake with us!
I have to say I'm finding ordinary life with 2 los very stressful though never mind organising parties!

I never did them when they were tiny, couldn't see the point, but at age 5/6/7 did them, but tbh I'd rather stick pins in my eyes, so last year told ds's "one more, no more", so ds1 has had his last, and ds2 will have his last in 2 days time. Nexr year they can invite 1 or 2 best friends to an activity of their choice - swimming, cinema etc

did ds1's first party at the weekend and he is 5! Before that we just went out somewhere for the day instead.