Is it possible for a mom to enjoy her child’s birthday party?
Because I’m pretty sure the answer is no.
Jenny’s trials and tribulations with baking her kids’ cakes is well-documented, and whenever a child of one of my co-workers celebrates his or her first birthday, the rest of us immediately ask “So at what point did you start crying?” because it’s a sure thing that Mom was in tears before the cake was cut. And I’m not talking the “my baby is growing up” kind of tears… more along the lines of “this whole thing sucks” kind of tears.
Kate’s fourth birthday party was Saturday. It was a very low-key ordeal – cupcakes, ice cream and a pinata at the town playground. Yet I was still so stressed about it. Imagine if my kid was named Suri! Well, then I would have a whole host of problems in addition to a $100k first birthday party, but I digress. Anyway, I was stressing out about not having made a ton of food, not having enough decorations (despite having spent $60 at the party store – how does that happen??), everything not looking cute, making sure everyone had people to talk to, worrying that the pace of the party was too slow… you name it, I was stressing about it.
That night, I felt like I had been hit by a truck. And each and every time I was up in the middle of the night nursing Sammy (and believe me, that is a lot), I was rehashing the party in my mind and finding more things to worry about!! I just had to wonder, is it even possible to enjoy your kids’ parties? I mean, obviously the main numero uno priority is that the kid enjoys the party, but must it be a stress-fest for mom?
In my experience, yes. Stress is a requirement. But someone out there must be able to prove me wrong… or right, as the case may be.
So let’s hear it – either your birthday party horror stories or your tried-and-true ways to make the party fun for everyone (yeah right, I will believe that when I see it).
