How to Handle the Summer Birthday Boom!


It’s summer time! That means: “Happy birthday to… EVERYONE!” At least that’s what it can feel like! If you have a preschooler or kindergartner, chances are she has at least 6 friends celebrating a birthday during the summer months. That may not seem like a lot to handle but when you take into account that there are roughly 10 weeks in summer it can certainly take a lot of your time! So how do you balance the boom of summer birthdays without breaking the budget or going crazy?

Kids Summer Birthday Party

 

  1. Moderation, moderation, moderation! – Like most things in life, avoiding extremes can guarantee a healthier, balanced lifestyle. Keeping your social activities to a manageable level during the summer will mean more time together as a family and more time for your child to just enjoy getting messy in the backyard and traipsing through the house in dress-up clothes. If there are several events happening in the summer that you know your child will be invited to, take the time to sit down with her and ask her about each of them. Does she know this classmate well? Is she interested in learning how to play soccer? Your child may be helpful in narrowing down the events that really matter to her. It’s OK to say “No” to some good things so you can say “Yes” to the things that mean the most to you and your family.

 

  1. Keep it Simple – Does your child have a summer birthday? If so, you may find yourself in the role of party-planner and that can sometimes be a little daunting. First – think about your child: is she a social butterfly? Does she enjoy hanging out with lots of people or only a few friends? Does she like being outdoors? Does she enjoy dress-up? If your child enjoys smaller gatherings of friends, then honor that by keeping things small. Host a sleepover at your house, invite her closest friends to come over for some cake and a whole day of playing together! Sometimes stepping away from Pinterest is one of the most strategic moves you can make as a parent. Celebrating is about creating the right space with the right people who are most interested in being together rather than being wowed by your immaculate cheese and cracker party platter and bounce house village. Give yourself a break and enjoy watching your child be loved on by the people who matter to her!

 

  1.  Get those creative juices flowing! – Let’s say your child is attending 3 birthday parties this summer. What do you do about gifts? While some events don’t request the party-goers to bring gifts, sometimes it’s implied and you may feel silly showing up without one! A simple (and meaningful!) solution is to bring something your child made for the birthday boy/girl. Whether they drew a picture, made a craft, or baked some cookies – being prepared with some homemade love is always a great idea! Ask your child what the birthday boy/girl may enjoy and get to work in helping them create the perfect, one-of-a-kind gift.

 

This summer, don’t let the birthday boom throw you into a frenzy. Make some intentional choices about your priorities and help your child enjoy many care-free summer days and nights, with friends and family alike. Celebrating others is an important social skill for children to develop and birthday parties are the perfect occasion! We raise our glass of lemonade to every mother out there ready to tackle the summer celebrations!

 

Kids R Kids Atlanta

About Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academies®

Headquartered in the North Atlanta suburb of Duluth, GA, Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academies® provide secure, nurturing, and educational environment for children ages 6 weeks – 12 years. We help children to bloom into responsible, considerate, and contributing members of society. With over 160 locations in 15 states, Kids ‘R’ Kids International® is a family owned and operated organization that ranks in the top 10 nationwide for franchised early childhood education centers. Find a location near you.

 

Leave a Reply