| Each year Busy Moms across America lose | | | | 5. Be Realistic. Don't try to do it all in one year. |
| control when their child's birthday arrives. Bank | | | | We all want our children to be happy. We all want |
| accounts deplete. Parents argue. Everyone is | | | | to make their birthdays pleasantly memorable. |
| exhausted. The situation becomes anything but | | | | But, if you overdo it you can be setting yourself |
| fun. Here are 9 wonderful tips to turn your child's | | | | up for failure in the future. |
| birthday into a blast without compromising your | | | | 6. Communicate about the Plans. This isn't so |
| sanity or your savings. | | | | much of an issue for toddlers and babies, but if |
| Organize Your Child's Birthday Party Without | | | | you have children that can talk, you should begin |
| Wearing Yourself and Your Savings Out! | | | | to communicate the birthday plans with them. Be |
| 1. Balance Your Budget! Most Moms notoriously | | | | sure to let your son or daughter know your |
| overspend when their children's birthdays roll | | | | expectations of them as well as your |
| around. This can be avoided by setting a budget | | | | expectations of their friends as precautionary |
| and planning in advance. When you create your | | | | measures in addition to the agenda of the party. |
| budget consider your headcount, food, activities, | | | | 7. Recruit Help. This can save time, money and |
| party favors, prizes, decorations, and | | | | energy. Some of your girlfriends probably have |
| entertainment so you won't start spending | | | | many creative talents that you'd normally pay big |
| haphazardly. | | | | bucks for. Others can lend a helping hand to cut |
| 2. Start Early. You can't ever really say you didn't | | | | cake or organize an activity. Have your husband |
| have time to plan. Your child's birthday inevitably | | | | step up to the plate, but be sure to give him |
| falls on the same day each year faithfully. Since | | | | tasks he can actually handle. If you ask him to |
| you know the date, why not plan in advance? | | | | bake the cake or clean the house, he most likely |
| Pace yourself so you won't be overwhelmed as it | | | | will shy away from the task. But ask him to bring |
| approaches. | | | | out the grill or compliment his techno talents and |
| 3. Make An Agenda. The cake and decorations | | | | he may be your videographer for the day! Hire |
| are great, but what will make a party sensational | | | | older children or teens to assist. This is a great |
| from a child's perspective are games and | | | | way to find extra help with games and activities. |
| activities. Power pack your kid's party with the | | | | Make sure to leave any disciplinary actions to the |
| best games and entertainment and you'll be sure | | | | adults because children don't respond well to |
| to get rave reviews from the youngsters. If you | | | | discipline from their peers. Having extra help will |
| are having a party for tiny tots make sure you | | | | have your child's party flowing better. |
| keep activities safe and loosely structured. Older | | | | 8. Cook Ahead. If you cook one or two days |
| kids are good with games that are more involved | | | | beforehand, you will save yourself the hassle of |
| and interactive which last under 30 minutes. | | | | trying to prepare a child's feast in one morning. |
| Teenagers pretty much can come up with | | | | You don't want to spend your child's entire |
| activities independently. Upon approval, let your | | | | birthday held up in the kitchen over a hot stove, |
| adolescent child have the responsibility of coming | | | | so it get out of the way early and enjoy the |
| up with their birthday activity ideas and give | | | | party. |
| feedback and suggestions. | | | | 9. Turn Off MTV! Mothers everywhere should |
| 4. Tailor a Theme. Once you come up with a | | | | beware of My Super Sweet 16. This MTV Reality |
| theme, the ideas for your activities will begin to | | | | show has teens everywhere begging for the |
| flow and come together beautifully. You can use | | | | ultimate celebrity style party of the year. If your |
| your theme for everything from the menu to the | | | | teenage child has seen it, their perception of what |
| décor and if you state the theme on the | | | | a party should entail is sure to be altered. The |
| invitation it may even cross over into the | | | | Super Sweet 16 parties cost anywhere from |
| presents. | | | | $30,000 to $100,000 dollars for one night. |