Am I depriving him...

[sharvs]

My DS first birthday is mid December. All mine & DF's family are interstate. DF is overseas until April next year. I only have a few friends here in Brisbane. I cannot get excited about DS birthday. Its not going to be as special as it should be without DF or family here so I am thinking about not giving him a party at all. I know he wont know the difference, but it makes me really sad to think he will miss out on his first birthday - you only turn one once. If I did have a little party for him, it would just be with my two close friends and thier bubs but we get together once a week anyway, so his birthday wouldnt be any different to any other day (except there would be cake!)

I'm beating myself up over this one. I know its not my fault that no-one can be here with us but I'm his mum - its my job to spoil him on his birthday.

Any suggestions anyone??

[bec79]

I would definately mark the occasion some how. Why don't you all (you and your friends), have a small picnic at a local park?

OK, so it's not too exciting, but it's something different. You could all bring party food, and make a small cake. The kids could run wild.
Take party hats and ballons, (endless entertainment for little ones.)
Don't forget your camera!

[shed]

1st birthdays are kind of more for the adults IMO. So if there aren't any adults to worry about then there is not much point worrying too much about it because bubs won't have a clue what's going on anyway.

Don't worry so much. Just do the cake thing with whoever is there. It sounds like fun.

[drewid]

I wouldn't worry too much.

I was an army brat :D and my first birthday was spent at home with mum, me in a high chair with a cake all to myself to make a big mess of! Looking at the photos, I had a pretty great time :D

Just do something special - to you - to mark the occasion... Have a yummy cake, something different for dinner/lunch....just to make it stand out as a special day. Enjoy celebrating a year of motherhood! Its as much your day as your bubs this year...you made it through the first year! :yelclap:

[spiritedfamily]

Yeah like the girls have said...have a special cake with your close friends and their bubs...and enjoy the fact you've made it through the first year of motherhood.

[mrsd]

1st birthdays are kind of more for the adults IMO. So if there aren't any adults to worry about then there is not much point worrying too much about it because bubs won't have a clue what's going on anyway.

Don't worry so much. Just do the cake thing with whoever is there. It sounds like fun.

Ditto. I actually reckon that most of the time it's just another chance to either have a family get-together - or show off your great mothering skills (after all - you've survived for a whole year).

The bub never remembers it anyway (and the adults probably won't either).

Hope you both have a nice day.

[cjb/jbvd]

don't feel bad, i'm not doing the big party thing either. i have no family over here at all, and not that many close friends. i'll have a cake and a present for DS to tear open. and on the weekend, we are going to the zoo for the first time to mark the occasion as special.

i would suggest doing something slightly out of the ordinary (the picnic in the park was a great idea) but not worry about the party.
the first birthday is a special thing between parents and their child. everyone else is a nice to have, but not really neccessary.

i went to a first birthday party, it was a big hassle because DS got very tired and grumpy and messy from cake but the hostess wanted me to stay for the BBQ so i couldn't politely leave. took three dasy for DS to get back into routine. i figure i'm not putting other peoples kids through the same thing.

birthdays can get better when DS has friends to enjoy it with.

[mum2bubba]

If it were me I'd go out for lunch/dinner or something, I would want to mark the occasion even if its only with the same friends you all the time.

[BlueEyedGirl]

I agree, mark the occasion with a 'party' at the park, or go out for lunch somewhere.

I definately think have a cake and take photos of him enjoying it, it would be a nice thing to share with your partner, and also a good keepsake for your son when he is older.

[CHARLIEandNOAH]

Make it special - big or small .. Have a teddy bear picnic theme where all the little ones bring a favourite bear .. Print invites with a little teddy picture .. Have it at the local park or just in your backyard .. Have some yummy finger food for the little ones and of course, cake .. Take loads of photos to send to your family .. and have a few balloons .. By having extra fun you will make the day special for him, yourself and your friends .. Let us know what you decide .. Goodluck x

[sharvs]

Well, at this stage it looks as though only one of my friends will still be here for his birthday - being so close to Christmas, everyone else is going away. Looks like he wont be having anything special for his first birthday, maybe his second will be better :crying: I HATE the Army life

[Issey]

Firstly I won't hold anything against you because you are a CROWS supporter :laughing: That avator should be banned.

I have enjoyed all the first birthday party's I have been to and so has DS. My DS is having a bday just before Xmas too.

I would do something even if it is just with one friend, the size of the party doens't matter, having fun and celebrating does. happybirthday A few ballons, cake, hat etc make some lovely photo memories and your DF will probably love it if you send some pics. Why not invite some bubhubbers along? You could do a foot print painting or something to mark the special day for your memory album. Even if it is just you and bubs you can have a special day :)