Not having a birthday party for a 4 year old?

JOEBunny

Has anyone not had a party and just made the child's birthday super special?  We have been sick for a month and I am only now starting to see the light.  I would rather take DD on a big outing, like to the Cabbage Patch Hospital than host a party with her friends.  (She doesn't need anymore toys either!)  We would still have cake and ice cream, but just at the park at our regular happy hour two days after her b-day.

Would I be short changing her?

brightning

That sounds like a really nice bday - not shortchanging her at all!

j-w

I think your idea sounds like a fun way to spend a birthday.  BUT, I know my DD might be a little disappointed if she didn't have a friend party.  She has been to so many friends' parties lately and always comes home talking about what she wants to do for her party.  So, I know personally, speaking just for my kid, she'd want a party with friends, no matter how simple.

goodheartedmommy

We didn't have a party for E or B. We were supposed to be closing on a house a few days after E's birthday, so we thought we'd have the party then (joint). Well, we ended up losing the house and having a bunch of drama, so we just never had a party. We did do family parties for each child, and really--they didn't notice the lack of a party this year.

EliseB0323

I think it depends on whether birthday parties are a big deal to your kid. My son talks about his birthday parties all the time. His birthday isn't until October and he has already picked out his cake and where he wants to have the party.

Maybe your daughter could just invite a special friend or two to go on the outing with you.

AZ_Erica

We did that for both DS's 2nd birthday and DD's first.  We did a special big family outing and then just had cake with grandma and grandpa. 

hopefulmom

My kids did not have birthday parties every year.  I started early on deciding which years and stuck to it with all of them.  Ages 2, 5, 7, 10, 13, 16 and then they were on their own.  Usually at 18 they were graduating so then we had the open house for that.  I'll do the same for the younger ones.

shopgirl78

j*w*:

I think your idea sounds like a fun way to spend a birthday.  BUT, I know my DD might be a little disappointed if she didn't have a friend party.  She has been to so many friends' parties lately and always comes home talking about what she wants to do for her party.  So, I know personally, speaking just for my kid, she'd want a party with friends, no matter how simple.

This.   My DD is been talking about her birthday all.year.long.  

424

My dd is turning 4 very soon and I have nothing planned....She is invited to 2 bday parties this weekend...GREAT.  I didnt do anything for her 3rd and my hubby was mad(italian family)...Im hoping to get my butt in gear as its creeping up.  Im thinking family party at house, and a little party with friends at an outside place venue(outside of this house). 

I think you could get away with it, if shes not really asking...Good luck..

ak071401

I am not doing a 4th b-day this year. In ds' class about half did a party and half did not. Last year it seems the ones that didn't do a party this year had one last year (ds included). This year, since it is the first year his dad and I are divorced, we each have a special day planned for him. I will also send cupcakes to school and maybe rent a jumper for school to celebrate on the day of his birthday (which is a Thursday this year).

His two best friends didn't have parties this year, so I don't think it will be a big deal to him.