Joint party for 3 year old or one for her

[onlytheone]

DD has group of friends from antenatal group and has had joint parties with them. They are 3 soon and it has been suggested with do a joint one again. I can see benefits of this but at 3 my DD is aware of parties etc and I think she should have her special day with her friends. She was confused last year when she was 2 and on her actual birthday had her elderly grandfather and my best friend only. I feel she should be aware that it is her day this year. She has a few other little friends apart from the big group. Should I do both, ie be involved with big party and have one on her day? I cannot believe I am stressing over a birthday for a 3 year old!!!

Share the big party.
Have a few people round for tea and birthday cake on her actual b-d. Best of both worlds at that age imo

I did a joint party this year and it just got waaaaaay too big. Everyone had fun and all bit I was exhausted and swore I would never do it gain.

I did a joint party this year and it just got waaaaaay too big. Everyone had fun and all bit I was exhausted and swore I would never do it gain.

I did a joint party this year and it just got waaaaaay too big. Everyone had fun and all bit I was exhausted and swore I would never do it gain.

I did a joint party this year and it just got waaaaaay too big. Everyone had fun and all bit I was exhausted and swore I would never do it gain.

Maybe just skip the joint party for one year.

Oops!

Thanks jabberwocky and paulaplumpbottom. Still don't know what to do!

I think it sounds as though you don't really want to share the party - SO DON'T. If it's happening every year, it will only become more and more awkward to get out of if you don't make the break now!

Oh defo let her have her own party. Make an excuse to other mums and say it has all got out of your hands lots of your family are all arranging to come.

agree with pianist - now is a good time to stop them. It will only get more complicated as they get older with pre school friends and so on.

You could suggest that you have your own individual birthday parties - inviting your child's friends - and a get together of just the ante-natal group to celebrate as a whole (no other friends invited).

We did exactly what PT suggested - a party just for postnatal group - and bought one present each, so each child got one present from the entire group (much cheaper than buying lots of smaller presents). We hired a venue (soft play place - but we had exclusive use and it was small so not loud and crazily busy) No one got lumbered with a lot of organising

on actual birthday small party at home.

hope that helps

Where d'you think I got the idea, PandaG?

Have decided to go ahead and have party with all the friends she sees. Surprisingly, half the group want to do this too but nobody will take responsibility for cancelling the group one! I am really looking forward to it now!