Party woes... cheer me up please!

[pookiesossige]

I can't believe how stressful putting on a party can be...

But I am very annoyed with myself.

The other night, I spend hours putting together little cardboard box cars, complete with paper plate wheels, antenne, rear lights/ cellophane headlights, shopped around until I found split pins and rolls of paper etc. They were covered in paper and I attached elastic for over both shoulders so all the toddlers could draw on their own car and stay occupied during the party. I was so happy with them, they are so cute!

But I totally forgot about them :(
It wouldn't matter so much, except that I was so horrified at Ronan's awful behaviour today. I'm sure others were too.... He would not share, he hit is cousin and screamed at everyone. The other toddlers were trying to play and it didn't work out at all. He wouldn't even let everyone sing happy birthday to him.. just screamed at them to 'stop' and was so angry with everyone! :confused:

Then I come in here to the office and see the boxes all lined up ready to go out to the kids, with texta's and paints and nearly cried. They would have fixed everything. The kids would have loved them and they would have had a great time, Ronan would have been happy and busy working on his car.

I am so upset!! :( I tried so hard to make this party a success. I just found it so hard and stressful. The lead-up and then the day itself....

:banghead:

[*Chels*]

OMG you poor thing!!
Bloody kids aye?They never behave how you want them to.:banghead:
DS's 1st bday-well he was asleep for the 1st half LOL and just grumpy the 2nd half.
You did your best hun,thats all you can do:hugs:

[Buddha Bubbas]

Party's are over rated. Especially for a mother. We do so much preparation then on the day itself, you forget a million things, spend the whole time in the kitchen, then when everyone leaves you get to clean up :rolleyes:

On Jake's birthday i had a great idea to make a train cake. And i didn't get around to it until 9pm the night before the party. Needless to say it turned out **** and i had to send DP out in the morning to get a new one. I could tell you more too. :D

Don't be so hard on yourself Hun :hugs: I'm sorry it didn't turn out how you planned. It is disappointing when you put so much time and effort into making everything perfect and it doesn't work out. :hugs:

[Billy]

Ohhh Em honey :hugs: You know what? It sucks totally,but you can't change anything now. Don't blame yourself for Ronan's behaviour because kids are kids, and unfortunately they do what they want often at the most inopportune times... :hugs:

As for you forgetting things, babe sometimes I can't barely remember to get dressed!!! PLEASE try not to feel bad, just put it down to a bad day and try to move on... I hope you feel ok tomorrow :hugs:

Maybe you can have an informal playgroup or something soon and use the cars? :detective:

[pookiesossige]

:hugs:
Thanks everyone... having a bit of a teary here, but you've made me feel so much better :yes:

The whole experience has made me sit down and really think about what it is about parties. Was I just trying to make an impression? Be the 'perfect' host with the 'perfect' party, complete with spotless house and well-behaved toddler? I spent a week preparing... so many trips to the shops, so many late nights. For two freaking hours.

I won't do it again for a long time :no:

Billy, great idea about the cars.... I'm thinking I could get them to the kids anyway to kinda try and make up for a crappy/awkward time for them and their parents.

I am so embarassed and so angry at myself :o
But you're all right.... can't change it now, gotta move on. It's all been too much. Doesn't help that DH and I had a huge fight (away from the kids) just before the party and I hurt myself on the lawnmower.... oh I'm going to bed...

[stilldreaming]

Oh Em whats that saying...... "never work with kids or animals?" They always seem to act their worst when you want them to be on their best behaviour! I'm sorry though that you have put in all that work to have such a crappy day!
As for you forgetting things, babe sometimes I can't barely remember to get dressed!!! Now thats a worry!!!:laughing: :p
Try not to worry about it any more....:hugs:

[KaM]

Matilda's party had similar problems. Only a quarter of the people turned up and I was so upset. .

:hugs: parties can be nasty things sometimes but on the other side can be a huge success. Thats almost part of the fun . .the anticipation.

Next time maybe go for something away from home. That way someone else cleans up and hosts it :D and you get to enjoy it with the kidlets without worrying about what you need to do next time!

[pookiesossige]

Thanks hun! Billy, Trish, thanks too... you girls are so sweet, yep, you really understand what I'm talking about :yes: :hugs:

So from now on parties will be at the park or the indoor play center.
And surely kid's don't have a party every year?? The kids I knew growing up didn't, and I certainly didn't!

[Elfin]

That is the thing about parties they can be unpredictable and Ronan may of just felt a bit overwhelmed, it can happen to any child. Even though he was grumpy I am sure all the guests had a great time and other parents understand. I bet he loved all the presents he got too. I have found that when the kids are a bit older say 5 the parties do go a bit smoother so don't let this put you off.

Just think of it this way, it will be a funny story to tell for his 21st birthday party:D

[greengables]

I just loved reading everyone elses replies - there is just so much wisdom and 'real-ness' on this forum. It's wonderful! :)
I loved the following points:
- kids will be kids (don't work with kids or animals!)
- parties are overrated - you end up in the kitchen the whole time then get to clean up at the end!
- everyone has had an experience like this of some sort and has worked thru it
- be kind to yourself

And my fave:
- don't try to be a perfectionist (the perfect hostess doesn't exist!!):smiliedance::D:thumbsup:

[pookiesossige]

I just loved reading everyone elses replies - there is just so much wisdom and 'real-ness' on this forum. It's wonderful! :)
I loved the following points:
- kids will be kids (don't work with kids or animals!)
- parties are overrated - you end up in the kitchen the whole time then get to clean up at the end!
- everyone has had an experience like this of some sort and has worked thru it
- be kind to yourself

And my fave:
- don't try to be a perfectionist (the perfect hostess doesn't exist!!):smiliedance::D:thumbsup:

Wow, words of absolute wisdom! ^^ Thanks hun xo

[*Chels*]

Parties ARE overrated-Rileys 1st one was a stressout.
It was gonna rain that morning,weather kept ****ing round.i ended up preying for sunshine and setting up.I made a bday banner,blew up ballons,put up the kids pool.
I almost ended up smashing DH,I was screaming like a banshee I was soooooooo stressed!!
Then it rained:gloomy: but cleared up.Everyone got there,I had a few wines to chill and I was so relaxed I almost forgot about the cake LOL
At the end of the day,it was a good party but not worth the stress.
This year I am doing a small get together and nothing fancy.Its just not worth it and nothing ever goes to plan:hugs:

[Cheeky Little Monkey]

Ok, after reading this thred, I'm definitely not going to do a big party for DD's 2nd birthday - will just have the grandparents over for cake. It doesn't sound like it is worth the stress and besides she is too little to remember it anyway!
So sorry the OP's party wasn't what you hoped for, it sounds like you went to so much effort.