There’s a long-standing debate about birthday parties for kids who are turning 1—one side says keep it low key or don’t even have one, don’t waste your money because the child won’t remember it; the other says, have a big blow out. And as I watch my niece and her family prepare to have the latter for her son (yep, yet another family birthday falls during the holidays!), I must admit I’m in the latter camp. Because, as I saw it when I did the same for my first-born, it’s not so much whether the child will remember any of it, or will any of their pint-sized guests—it’s about the parents, especially the mom, being excited to have a child, and to be able to throw a party for a child for the first time.
And I say, for all that we moms (and dads) go through during that first year, let the celebration begin. Bake that cake (or order it) and get party hats; blow up those 16 inflatable guitars or put together those child-safe noisemakers; take a lot of pictures and have a great time. And don’t worry that if you have another child, the “first” celebration may not be as grand. That child won’t realize it, at the time, nor will they suffer mental damage when they look in the family photo album and compare parties. Just explain to them that the first party also celebrates parents getting through the first 12 months of sleepless nights, dirty diapers, projectile food, nervous doctor visits, and the aches and pains from toting car seats and strollers every day. (And that by the second child, you’re “pros”, not to mention that you’re juggling so much that it’s hard to even think about planning a big party!)
So Happy Birthday, my great nephew Evan. And Happy, Happy First Birthday Celebration to my niece and her husband!!!!!