Oh! Today is your son’s birthday! Congratulations, for this new year in the life of your son. So how do you plan to celebrate? Are you going to organize a birthday party? Are you going to call some guests? Or have you decided or thought about doing something unique?
How about involving your children in planning their own birthday party? Sounds great, doesn’t it? Well, so far as a father; you’ve been taking on all the burden of organizing the party, inviting guests, decorating the venue, deciding on the menu, etc.
This time, why not get to know your children’s ideas too? Let’s explore their minds. What is going on, what is he/she/they thinking about his/her birthday party? How according to them should be a birthday party? This seems to be a really unique and innovative idea, doesn’t it?
So let’s discuss how kids can get involved in planning their own birthday party.
Involve the children so that they are part of the preparation of their birthday decorations:
When it comes to birthday decorations, the first and foremost thing that comes to mind is “Balloons”. But, a birthday is much more than balloons. Apart from this, there are many things that can be considered in birthday decorations.
Before starting the decoration part, select the theme of the birthday, the location of the birthday. Party planning involves deciding on the birthday venue, choosing the theme of the party, deciding on the menu, decoration accessories, preparing invitation cards, etc.
a) Involve the children in the location decision: Well, the best location is your own home, however, if it is a big party, you can consider any place, such as a party hall, a park, a garden etc Ask your child/children what their wish is. Know your ideas; if possible, let them choose the location. This will boost their self-confidence.
In case the budget is an obstacle for the location, then convince them to choose the one that is in their budget. Make sure the children don’t feel bad, try to make sure they are happy at every stage of the planning process.
b) Include them in the selection of the theme of the party: Once the location is selected, it is time to choose the theme of the party only if the child is interested in organizing a party based on a theme. Select the topic that he/she/they like. It can be a robot theme, a sports based theme of your liking, etc.
In case the children cannot decide, help them to do so, but do not pressure them to choose the one they like. Note that the planning is done according to the choice of the child.
c) Hold the menu of your child’s choice: the location is selected, the theme is decided, now comes the food. Well, children love cakes and chocolates and of course they will be present at the party, but the important thing is the main course, that is, dinner or lunch should be chosen by the children.
Ask them what they want to give their guests for food. Look at their ideas, correct them if they are wrong but never order them to do what YOU want. Discuss and decide with them what is going to be served to the guests. Prepare the Menu accordingly.
d) Children’s choice of birthday decoration: So, now the theme is selected, the menu is chosen, the location is selected and it is time to choose the decoration material. Apart from balloons, there are many decoration materials available in the market.
Ask your child what they want in birthday decorations and decorate the house accordingly. Keep in mind what your child likes and let him decorate accordingly, let his ideas flow.
Choose the decoration according to the theme. Let your child/children be the manager of the party, guide them where they are wrong but keep them in the center of the decision, also convince them when you think their choice is not according to their budget.
Final Notes: The main goal is to get to know your child’s ideas, to explore their minds; understand what and how they want his birthday party to be. Try to cater to all their needs and in cases where you can’t, make sure you do things that are similar to their tastes and also within your budget.
Give your child top priority as it is their birthday celebration and as a parent it is our duty to make sure they enjoy it to the fullest. So, he tries to fulfill all his wishes and plans the party according to his plans.
