Marathon Mothering Without Birthday Stress

Last updated on: August 12, 2011 at 9:56 am by Bethany "B-mama"

Marathon Mothering Without Birthday Stress 2011-08-12T09:56:53-06:00 Bethany "B-mama"

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In the spirit of Juris Mater and Mary Alice’s recent posts, I’m here to say, “Throw a birthday party and don’t go crazy while doing it!”

August is a big birthday month around here and has the potential to put us under in more ways than one. Birthdays are expensive and exhausting and full of pressure for a mother who’s just trying to put on a nice party for her child. I’ve battled my inner perfectionist many-a-times when it comes to birthdays. I’ve been to themed birthdays that make me weak in the knees in awe of the creativity and coordination. But I just. can’t. do. it. The amount of energy it takes to put on the world’s most amazing party needs to be saved and relished for my burgeoning brood. I can’t let myself go crazy.

So instead, I’ve come up with a few key elements that need to be in place in order to create the best birthday environment for my birthday child. Because let’s be certain about one thing–the party is for him and NOT for me! My Birthday Formula still takes energy, creativity, and coordination, but all those things in appropriate measure. It’s what I have to give and ends up being perfectly enough.

B-mama’s Formula for a Stress-free, Fabulous Birthday Party:

Take 6 balloons (helium preferred) and spread in bunches at visible places around the house

+ 1 generic “happy birthday” banner (that you put up and take down for every birthday–ours hooks on the latches for our windows and doesn’t even require tape!)

+ 1 bounce house (a Christmas gift a few years back–or borrow somebody’s–or make the $200 investment and you’ll have it forever, I promise; inflate the birthday castle and you’ve got a party in a bag)

+ an obstacle course of some design in the backyard (we’re talking push-ups and jumping jacks, etc. at various stations; get creative and get the kids’ energy out! Their parents will thank you.)

+ a “pin the tail on whatever” game (dust off your artistic genius and make it yourself)

+ 1 x $17.99 Costco cake (that serves 48! Give some to your guests to take home and freeze the rest; thaw later–who doesn’t love birthday cake in the middle of the month for no reason?)

+ 2 take ‘n bake Costco pizzas (we just discovered the basil, pesto, mozzarella one–delicious!)

+ friends, family, and lots of love

= one very happy birthday kid.

Whatever way you package your birthdays, go easy on yourself and remember to breathe deeply. May the Force be with you! (Birthday Formula set in motion this afternoon–Star Wars party here at 4! Pray for us!)

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