Birthday Party Follow Up

If it's really important for them to see him and you can't gather family at someone else's house, I like the idea of the museum admission for the kids and ice cream somewhere else. You can also look into a park or community center (often fall rates are less than summer).

The relatives have to get over it.
The Birthday party is for the child. Not them.
Sorry, I am not sympathetic to that.
I have some overbearing relatives and I have learned to NOT let them command my every action with my own children and family. Just because they get hurt sensitive feelings.

This is a kids party for the child.

YES IT IS OKAY TO TELL THEM.
It is your child and your right, to have the kind of party you or your child wants.
Really.

OF COURSE it's ok to say you're not doing a party this year. They're your family... they'll understand that your house is a wreck. (at least - they should, right?) I like the idea to have them meet you at the Childrens Museum after your kids have played and everyone go out for ice cream. It's perfect!

Just tell them to meet you at the ice cream shop for an ice cream party.

Do what works for YOU. I just commented on your last post and I personally love the museum idea. The kids will have fun and the adults will have a blast watching the kids play. Win!

You are under no obligation to have a party at your house and I completely understand your desire to celebrate in a fun way. I hope you and your husband can come to an understanding!

Are you sure the relatives will be hurt if you don't have a party? Is this your side of the family or your husband's side?

If your husband were on board with a party, I would say book it and have fun. But the fact that he thinks it is a waste of money is what concerns me.

I guess it all depends on your budget and what you and your husband can agree on. I tend to spend $200 on food and drinks alone for at-home parties, so your idea for the children's museum doesn't sound overly extravagant. Maybe if you and your husband can agree on a budget, you can find something that works. The children will have fun no matter what you decide on. Good luck!

Can you check around in your community - maybe they have small rental halls. I know for us, our fire department, park and church all have rooms we can, and have, rented for a VERY small fee. And in each they have small kitchenettes for easy cleanup, etc.

As for not iniviting family, etc., you're right - there are going to be hurt feelings. I would wait till your child is a little older. I know for us, when my kids got a little older, they didn't want the big family party so we just informed family members we weren't doing the big party. Sometimes my kids would have a smaller friends party and sometimes it was just us. I had no problem letting my kids decide what they wanted.

Good luck!!

i had my daughter's 2nd and 3rd birthday party at a pumpkin patch (her birthday is mid october) - granted it was family and a few of my friends with their kids (not her age) but i also put in the invitation where it was and the cost of getting in. she really didnt know what was going on but just knew that she got to play and have fun. i could not do it at my house and family and friends understood that as well. i actually did the chuckie cheese party this year for her 4th birthday - good luck

Not for nothing, but no one can force you to have a party. Have your own small household party as you wish, and tell the grandparents that due to finances and the ever-vague "germs" this year you and your husband agreed it would be better to play things low-key. You'd still be happy to celebrate with them if they'd enjoy some cupcakes after Sunday dinner the following week or the day after the party.

Definitely head to a kid friendly restaurant or somewhere along the lines of Chuckie Cheese and have the small gathering there with family :)

Well you have a lot of differing advice, but here's mine too I guess! I think that at 2 years old, the party is mostly for the parents and there is nothing wrong with that. Not that your son won't love all the attention, toys and cake, of course he will, but if you want to do something then do it. If you don't then don't. I personally love planning my kids' parties and do themes and all the good stuff.

Here is my advice. If you don't want to spend the money on a party room then just invite all the friends and their kids to the museum and pay everyone's entrance fee. Then find an ice cream place near by. Tell the friends that you are going to ice cream place for dessert at a specific time. At 2, all the parents are going to stay anyway, so it's not that big of a deal to leave there and go for ice cream. Tell your family that is the plan and please to meet you at the ice cream place. Then say that if anyone would really like to come to the museum then to let you know. I'm willing to bet that the other aunts and uncles won't come to the museum. Grandparents might and that's fine.

I would give yourselves at least 1.5-2 hours at the museum. I do think you need to be prepared to pay for everyone's ice cream who shows up though and honestly, it might be cheaper and easier to just pay for the party room. And that's my 2 cents!

Have fun and do what makes you happy!

Well, you can do one of two things; just simply say were just celebrating with us and/or the cheapest is a pizza place. This way everyone can join,
you bring cake/ice cream, usually there are games there for the kids, but if not they'll still have fun. And if you do the Museum, ask if you could bring
cake and ice cream in. If not, meeting there would work and they can meet afterwards. It's hard to say no to grandparents, they've waited all their lives for this and you know your kids would love them there. Good luck.....

I get tired of family inviting me to every little thing the kids do. I don't want to be their kids playmate. Birthday parties are for the kids.

If you need free then I suggest you have it at home or the local park because if you have it at a restaurant then you'll have to feed everyone.