Is this terrible of me?

Maddie&EthansMom wrote: I'm not giving Ethan a birthday party this year. Instead we will go to Chuck E Cheese as a family on his birthday. I feel bad b/c I gave Maddie a 2 year b-day party, but I'm re-doing the kids rooms this year and it's going to cost quite a bit of money. Maddie isn't getting a party this year either, but I told her she could invite 2 friends to build a bear.

We will do cake and stuff here and buy them gifts, but no big parties. Please tell me I'm not a horrible mom.

MyBlueEyedBabies replied: We did the same thing for Matt's birthday. I was planning on haviong a party for him but just didn't feel like it so we didn't. WE went to Chuck E Cheese and then made cupcakes at home. I don't think he could have cared any less.
I say no on the bad mother...but if you are I'm worse, our lack of party was lazyness

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: I don't think so. When I was little, my parents had the three of us. We rotated who got a party each year. One of us would have a pary, the other two had family get togethers. The two with family get togethers got special homemade cakes in what ever shape you could dream up and the party kid got a storebought. My fave bday memory was the year I got a carousel cake. It was just a two tier cake with animal crackers for the carousel animals but my grandma put it on a cake plate that turned and played music.

MommyToAshley replied: I think that is sweet. I bet Ethan will enjoy the time with you better than a huge party. I think big parties at that age get so hectic that they get overwhelmed. For Ashley's birthday, we did have a big party for her on the weekend. But, on her birthday, DH and I took her to Chuck E Cheese. I think she really enjoyed Chuck E Cheese better. In fact, she asked if she can have her next party there.

I think you are a WONDERFUL Mom WOW... I can't believe Ethan's birthday is coming up already. Please tell him to slow down and stop growing up so fast!

My3LilMonkeys replied:
This is exactly what my parents did.

And no, I don't think you're a bad mom. I think celebrating as a family is wonderful.

A&A'smommy replied: That sounds like fun!!!! And a really good small family party!!!

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I love you guys! You made me feel so much better!

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: No way are you a bad mom. I didn't even have a first birthday party for Logan.

3xsthefun replied: I don't think it is. We didn't have a birthday party for Kaitlynn this year. She had my parents come over & see her last Sunday. And then she went and seen DH's parents on her actual birthday.

I'm not sure if we will have one for Maegan this year or not.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: You're not a bad mom! I went way over the top for Wil's first and I am not planning on doing the same for his second. We will probably do something like Chuckie E Cheese or Mr Biggs or just cake at home. I agree, it's so overwhelming for them that doing less is actually better for them IMO. I think they're just happy with cake, a few presents, and mom and dad around (siblings too)!

PhiMuMommy replied: we do in home parties up untill they start school and have friends. (well my sister does it that way.. i only have mine so it's easier to spoil him..lol. )

you are not horrible not at all.

momof3angels replied: OMG Aimee...Did you post this at the Coffee Shop? I did NOT see it! NNNNNOOOOOOO!!!!!!! You are not a bad mom! Seriously, I can not tell yu how many Chuck E Cheese parties WE have had for just the family! Dominic has only had ONE beg party and he is SEVEN! Gabriel has had a few more, but only because we lived near lots of family and friends. Anyhow, there is nothing wrong with Chuck E Cheese with just the family.... just ask Mikayla Tell Ethan to have fun for Mikayla!

luvmykids replied: I think it's great to do it just family and save parties for an occassional treat. After the last Chuck E Cheese party with 40 people we realized it was out of hand, kind of like at Christmas when you want the emphasis on Christmas, not just the gifts, KWIM? I was afraid they were going to only care about the party and not realize that it's a special day because it celebrates them, if that makes any sense. So we decided to have bigger parties at 5, 10, 12, and 16 and other years keep it small with just us.

Have a great time!

Maddie&EthansMom replied:
I didn't post it over there, but after I posted this I saw your post where you guys went to Chuck E Cheese and had a little party for Mikayla with just the family. I thought it was perfect. So, that is what we will do.

MomToMany replied: That's the only kind of birthday parties we have .

moped replied: I think it is a great idea - just family!!!!! You are not horrible at all!

1moremakes4 replied: For Taylor's 1st birthday we invited all our extended family over and a few friends and had a cookout. It was more for the grownups than for her, but she loved visiting with everyone. For her 2nd birthday, we didn't have just one party. Her grandparents and ggrandparents came from out of town at different times over an entire weekend, so it was like her birthday lasted 3 days! She loved it! Everytime she saw someone, they brought presents. This year, I had planned on giving her a big party with all her friends and going all out. But we moved out of state 3 months before her birthday and I had her baby sister 3 weeks before. We ended up having dinner and a cake at home with just the 4 of us. I really felt bad I couldn't give her more, but I really don't think she minded. I think she's still at the age where she doesn't expect a big party.
Do what you can....if it's just a little get together or just dinner at home. I think those are the ones that will mean the most when they get older anyway!

~Roo'sMama~ replied: I never cared about birthday parties until I was way older. Chuck E Cheese is perfect for a 2 year old... I'm sure Ethan will think it's the best thing that's ever happened to him!

ETA: The Build a Bear thing for Maddie sounds like a lot of fun, too. I'm sure she will love it.

~~*Missi*~~ replied: no not at all. I am big on family.... so I always love the small parties where you have those close family members and that is it.
Like sabrina's first and even her baptism it was only close close family and friends. I left out alot of people and well she will have great memories whether there is 10 or 100. Right

I love the chuckie cheese Idea can sabrina and I come LOL!

CantWait replied: Not at all. You can't throw a party EVERY year, and he won't even remember.

Or maybe after all when he's 30 he'll think back and say, "hey my mom gipped me out of a 2nd b-day party", I think not however

I think you're safe to go without, and the rooms will be an even bigger hit

DansMom replied: We only do family parties in my family---we might invite a good friend or two, that's it. At age 2 and even 3, Daniel has had no idea what constitutes a birthday party, and was extremely happy with the basics (blowing out candles, opening some presents). When Daniel's older (like 5 or 6) I think we'll have larger parties, but they will probably still be lower key than some I've attended. In other words, I of course think you're a good mom making a reasonable decision and that Ethan will be perfectly happy on his birthday with a smaller celebration.

Has anyone heard of the formula that the number of invitees should be equivalent to the child's age? That works for us!

mummy2girls replied: naaaa your not a bad mommy! Just look at it this way... do you remeber your second birthday party?