My son turns 5 next week.
We are both excited, yet a little sad. You see, there’s a pretty good chance that my husband is going to miss it. He’s been gone for training and I’ve been solo parenting.
Because his Dad isn’t going to be here, I want to make sure that his day is really great.
I’m not a Pinterest-crafty-type Mom who shows her love by making awesome cakes or going over the top with surprises and decorations. But I do enjoy doing things to make my kids feel special, they just don’t involve hot glue guns, or late night baking extravaganzas.
We have a birthday party planned that will be later in the week, but I wanted to find ways to make his actual birthday special.
This year, I’m going for simple, easy, and loving.
A Birthday Chain
J is finally old enough to really understand days of the week and how to count down days.
So I’ve made him a birthday chain. I started it two weeks ago and added 14 paper rings to make a chain. Each night he rips off a chain, and counts the how many chains until his birthday.
It’s a fun way to build excitement for the special day.
A Yes Day
I’m a big fan of yes days. I think it’s a fun way to reconnect and have a day of play with our kids.
Basically, you let your child decide what you’re going to do that day.
Want ice cream? Yes!
Want to go to your favorite park to play? Yes!
It’s a neat way to fill a child’s attachment tank and make their birthday special.
This year, I’m going to let my son have a day where he gets to make the plan!
A Morning Surprise
This is one of our birthday traditions that is so simple, yet so much fun.
All I do is blow up a few balloons after he’s fallen asleep the night before and hang them from his doorway using ribbon.
He wakes up the next morning to a fun birthday surprise of balloons.
It’s simple, less mess than filling a room with balloons, but still has that “first thing in the morning birthday surprise”.
A School Surprise
My son has preschool on his birthday this year, and I’ve talked to his teacher about being a Mystery Reader for the class on that day.
I get to show up with my son’s favorite book
I’ll also be showing up with an arm full of cupcakes for him and his classmates.
He’s still at an age where he’ll be excited to see his Mama at school, so I know it will make him feel special.
A Surprise Visitor
Oh man, I’m so excited about this one.
We don’t live near our family, and there’s a chance that my husband won’t be here for his birthday. I was sad that it was just going to be myself and my two year old here to celebrate J’s birthday.
So, imagine my glee when my sister-in-law asked if she could come up and surprise him for his birthday?!
Y’all, I cried…
Nothing thrills my soul more than knowing that my son gets to see his aunt, that he adores, on his birthday.
I can’t wait to see his face when she walks through our front door!
So, if you have someone special in your child’s life who lives far away. Maybe ask if they can come for a visit on your child’s birthday.
I’m excited about his day, and can’t wait!
I think I have some really fun, and simple, ways to make his day special.
How do you make your child’s birthday special?
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What lovely ideas. I bet he has an awesome day. It’s all the little things that they remember, not three tier cakes and back breaking crafts. He’s a very lucky boy to have such A thoughtful mama
I did the balloon/ribbon idea last year for my son’s 7th b’day and he asked for them again this year! Lots of fun!
For one, I’m gonna pinch some of these ideas, so lovely. I love the mystery reader one as my son is also at preschool on his birthday next week, but I’d be slightly concerned I may cry too!! Bless him! He’s having a party with his friends on Sat and today I made playdoh with my boys, which they loved and had a brainwave of making up several coloured batches – really easy to make, with mostly everyday ingredients – link here: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/play-dough-recipe – as an activity for the kids to do at the party, then they can take their playdoh home with them afterwards!
When my kids started school, on their birthdays, or as near as can be, I am sneaky with them about why I don’t have their lunch packed for school or something, and end up at school with their fav lunch and get to eat with them. They LOVE it!! All the other kids are always wishing their moms would do that.
Yes! That is a huge win and I did that this year when my daughter turned 9. We only have parties with family because this year her birthday fell on Easter weekend. So I packed her lunch like any other day, sent her to school. Went at 10:00 and took a bunch of cupcakes (she really wanted cupcakes at her classroom) and dropped them off at the front desk. Then I went and picked up Burger King and took the two youngest with me to her school. We walked into the cafeteria and there is a swarm of about 300 students eating lunch. Thank goodness my 2 yr old saw her immediately and man was she so happy! She smiled and blushed and cried because
I went and took her food, but mainly because we showed up. Her friends all gathered around and couldn’t believe how lucky she was, her Mom came to school with her two siblings, she got Burger King, and how great was that!! I took pictures of her with her siblings and friends and she was so thrilled. I bought her flowers and balloons for when she got home from school. She didn’t know. There it was when she walked in the room. Flowers on the table (her name is Lillie, so I got her Lily’s) and a beautiful vase and big huge balloons (12) she was so thrilled. That night she got to choose where we would go for dinner with her big sister, her big brother (They are grown and have places of their own) and Grandpa as well as the rest of us. She came home and had cake and ice cream, opened her presents and what a beautiful fun day!! So yes, this is a must when your child goes to school!
Hi,
Its really helpful ideas, actually your half story matches to my life. its my son’s fifth birthday. this year he lost his father in ac accident. we didnt celebrate any birthday of our son and its gonna his first birthday celebration; though after everything I have decided to celebrate my son’s birthday. Thanks you so much for really good post.
Oh I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of his father. I hope your son had a wonderful celebration this year.