In just a short while, my little sunshine will be celebrating her 3rd birthday. Birthdays for kids can often lead to overwhelming expectations, especially for moms trying to create a flawless celebration. To ease the pressure on myself (and hopefully inspire some other moms), here are five things that won’t be part of my daughter’s birthday festivities:
1. A Pinterest-Worthy Bash
If you’re someone who has the time and stamina to organize a party straight out of Pinterest heaven, then by all means, go for it! But for me, I’ll stick to simplicity. When I was young, birthday parties meant cake and maybe some watermelon, followed by outdoor fun. No one needed elaborate decorations to have a blast. For this year’s shindig, I’ve picked up some Doc McStuffins-themed plates and a few inexpensive toys from the local dollar store. We’ll have balloons and some fun activities, but don’t expect any extravagant games or treat bags. Let the kids’ imaginations run wild!
2. A From-Scratch Cake
After carrying her for nine months, I feel like I’ve done my part in the baking department. While I admire those who can whip up a homemade cake, the thought of decorating it sends me into a tailspin. We’re opting for store-bought cupcakes instead.
3. Anything Related to Caillou
Seriously, that kid drives me up the wall! It’s not just Caillou—his entire show is grating. I can’t fathom why anyone would want that as part of their child’s birthday. So, sorry Caillou, but you’re definitely not on the guest list for this celebration.
4. A New Pet
We just managed to potty-train our little one, so introducing a pet right now would be a bit too much. Sure, I’ve promised my partner we’ll consider getting a pet eventually, but now is certainly not the time. I want to save my sanity for when she reaches her teenage years!
5. An Over-the-Top Gift
One piece of advice I’ve always cherished is that parenting is a marathon, not a sprint. If we shower our daughter with extravagant gifts now, what will she expect as she grows older? We’re keeping the budget reasonable, aiming for presents that cost around $30. Sure, we want her to have enjoyable toys and meaningful books, but we’re also trying to keep things manageable. Plus, with gifts from friends and family, there’s only so much room in our home!
While this birthday may not feature extravagant decorations or costly gifts, it will be filled with love and the people she adores. We might not have a flashy celebration, but it will be perfect in its simplicity. If this encourages even one mom to take a load off her shoulders, then I’ll consider it a win!
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Summary:
This article shares five things a mother, Leah, will not do for her daughter’s 3rd birthday. She emphasizes simplicity over extravagance, opting for a modest celebration filled with love rather than elaborate decorations or expensive gifts. Celebrating with what truly matters is the focus, and the author hopes to encourage other parents to relieve some of the pressure associated with birthday planning.