Your child’s birthday is coming up… The same questions come up every year, with a slightly different flavor in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic where, in addition to wondering what to do, you also have to wonder regarding how to organize a birthday party while respecting the sanitary measures in force. How many guests, do you just invite the children or the parents too, in person or virtually? This can quickly become quite a headache. If you’re looking to step out of the traditional birthday parties and into something new, then this text is for you! I suggest that you give your child a birthday experience that will contribute to his development and which, by the same token, will make it a memorable event for life.
Organizing an unforgettable or memorable children’s party?
The first reflex to find original ideas is to do a search on the Web where there is no shortage of articles on the subject!
Some give a top 10 of trendy activities, or deal with the essentials for a successful party, or even the 5 mistakes to avoid… While browsing the said texts, I must admit that certain elements leave me perplexed, such as “Don’t forget the little ones guest gifts! or “Each guest child comes with a parent to facilitate the supervision of the 27 children”.
The objective of the children’s party is defined by terms such as “best party ever” or “unforgettable party”. It seems quite fantastic to me. Personally, I don’t remember a birthday celebrated with my friends that would be THE party of my life, despite my mother’s sustained organizational efforts. And when I discuss it with my entourage, it seems that I am not the only one.
However, testimonials abound when it is the parents who talk regarding their children’s parties. They remember the so-called parties more than their children themselves! Yes, because the adult’s perception is colored by the enormous organizational burden that this represents, he who has worked so hard to finally realize that his efforts are not always appreciated at their fair value.
Yourself, do you have memories of a birthday party from your childhood that would represent THE perfect party? Most certainly not, especially since it has been scientifically proven that our brain registers more emotional and negative events than positive ones. But without going into neuroscientific details, I suggest you consider your child’s birthday differently.
In short, isn’t it better to organize a memorable children’s party, offering your daughter or son an experience that will remain in their memories, rather than wanting to struggle to organize a party that will soon be forgotten? The development of the child is so vast, take the opportunity to propose a birthday project to which he will collaborate!
Create an anniversary project
Rather than having to organize a children’s party, give your child a life experience! Oh, what great ambition you will tell me, “it’s just a day of celebration”… That’s precisely where I’m coming from. Rather than aiming to create a short moment brimming with laughter, excitement and fun in order to stick it in their memory, create a birthday project that will serve your child for life. And, I would bet that this option will become a wonderful childhood memory!
The child develops all aspects of himself through the experiences, projects, events and activities that his environment offers him. So, take the opportunity to stimulate it!
First of all, here are some questions to ask yourself as a parent, to which I invite you to answer in a realistic et attainable.
- What is the purpose of this birthday party?
- What do you want your child to develop through this project?
- What values do you want to convey?
- What is your budget ?
- What are your child’s interests and strengths?
You may be wondering, where is she going with these questions? You will see that on closer inspection, the organization of a birthday party is not always child-oriented. We feed other more personal goals, like wanting to please the guests, impress the gallery, offer our child the party that we have never had the chance to have. I am sure that memories in this direction have emerged spontaneously in you.
And you’re probably telling yourself that what you want is to throw a children’s party, not start a business! Yet birthday and business plans have a lot more in common than you might think. Especially if we are creating a special activity or outing for our child.
Any ideas come to mind? Do you find this exciting? Normal, the nervous system secretes dopamine which increases motivation and the ability to come up with ideas. But beware, it would be easy to get carried away, to organize great activities, to fall into extreme creativity, which would take you away from the goal for your child. This opportunity is rich in opportunities for learning and discovery, don’t forget it by putting your personal interests first!
Here are some steps to follow, and suggestions, to carry out the birthday project with your child. Doing one or more preparatory activities together until D-Day will allow your daughter or son, in particular, to learn to invest and take up challenges by doing new things, but also to wait for this he desires, in addition to spending pleasant time with you.
TO CARRY OUT THE ANNIVERSARY PROJECT
| STARTUP | ||
| 1. | Focus your organization on the child, not the activity itself. | List in a table the interests, strengths/qualities, desires/demands and 2 or 3 elements that constitute a learning challenge for your child. |
| 2. | Think regarding what is important to you for your child. | Write down ideas on how to turn the day of celebration into an opportunity for discovery. Eg: Juliette’s challenge is perseverance, make it the objective of the party project! |
| PROJECT | ||
| 3. | Brainstorm with your child to plan with him the big day. | Share with your child the elements of the table and your ideas, then write as you go on a big sheet all those that catch his attention. Cut them out and sort them together by category: like, normal, no. Select those that will be part of D-Day. |
| PREPARATION | ||
| 4. | Prepare the birthday party with your child. | In particular, create invitations by scrapbooking or send virtual cards. Prepare homemade juices or cupcakes by making recipes together. Have fun! |
| D-DAY | ||
| 5. | Just enjoy what has been planned and organized! | Take photos to keep a memory of this day. |
| RETURN SOUVENIR | ||
| 6. | Go back with your child to share and immortalize their party. | Print the photos and create a printed souvenir book that will allow you to remember this day, the preparation and to tell your story. |
Traditionally, parents prepare their child’s birthday party, organize it and sometimes even suffer from it, because many tasks are associated with it. By approaching it differently, you will be able to make it a happy event for both your child and yourself. The birthday project is an invaluable tool for bonding with your child, in addition to allowing him to develop many skills by practicing very rich executive functions. It can be used regardless of age, because learning through play and fun remains an effective approach. In addition, it is easier to adapt the party to the health measures in force since the child, by getting involved, becomes more aware of the external factors, which are out of control. In addition to being rewarding for everyone, it’s a safe bet that this experience will stay in your child’s memories for a long time!
