Birthday Party for my daughter!

United States
September 28, 2009 10:00am CST
Hey Everyone! I have a question?!?! My daughter is going to be turning two years old next week!!! I am planning this big party. Being that my family is really enormous and my Bf family, and friends.. I say the party will be about more than fifty people!!! After planning all of this for her, I started thinking... My daughter is so shy, and is not really thrilled about big crowds! Do you think that I should cancel everything and just have something small? I am so worried about how she might react to our family and friends! Please let me know your input!
9 responses
• Indonesia
28 Sep 09
I love the party, please invite me to your party . I think that is very good idea. You can introduce your friend to your daughter
• Indonesia
29 Sep 09
Okay, send me the party picture. I will happy watch the picture and show me your daughter
• United States
28 Sep 09
Hey masteronline! You again! lol... Well. I will show you pics of the party! lol. We will gradually get there! lol... Have a nice one! Funny!
• United States
29 Sep 09
I wouldn't force her into a big crowd all at once. I was like your daughter when I was younger and when my friends had really big parties with lots of people, my mom would make me go for about 30 minutes. She would aske when the cake and present opening would be so I wouldn't miss that, but I wouldn't stay long after that. As for a party for me, we would do one with my mom's family (if they even remembered), one with my dad's family (who always remembered), and one with my friends. It was never expensive because my parents would just host the one for my friends. My grandparents would host the others. And they wouldn't be all on the same day either, but they would be with in the week of my birthday. Maybe you could do a family party one day with just you, your bf, your parents, and your bf's parents, and the next day have a party with your friends. Just remember this is a two year old's party. Remind the guests that it is her day and not just a social event. Or if everything is set already, stagger the guests. Maybe arriving every 30 minutes or every hour. It is your choice, since you are mom. These are just some suggestions.
• United States
29 Sep 09
Hi playwright82! Yes! Well that is what we are going to divide the parties! First my family, then his! Then at around six or seven in the evening our friends are going to come! But thanks for your suggestions! I am even thinking about having only the friends with children come to shorten the list! lol. Thanks for responding! Have a nice day!
• India
29 Sep 09
But she is just two years old! I am pretty sure she doesnt remember her first birthday and so she wouldnt know what to expect and what not to. And if she is shy I think its better to introduce her to more exposure of this kind. She might like it when she is the centre of attention and everyone around pampers her. Anyway just an idea, obviously you know your daughter better :) Maybe on her birthday or one day before you can just celebrate the way she would like it and on her birthday you can continue with the party if you have already made all arrangements. She would get blessings and god wishes of so many people as well
• United States
29 Sep 09
Hi anweshadas! You know it is funny that you mention that! I was telling her father that we should have her open some gifts with just us and have a little cake on Friday! Thanks for responding!
@Rainegurl (2156)
• Philippines
29 Sep 09
Hi, prikayjo I think having your friends over is ok as long as you guys do not forget that it's a party for a two year old. What I mean is that, have a real kiddie party for her. There must be games, balloons, cakes, candies, loot bags, bubbles and other things that make kids happy and giddy. That gathering would be a good opportunity for your daughter to learn to socialize and interact with other kids. Of course, you have to take it easy. Be there for your baby to reassure in case she shies away.
• United States
29 Sep 09
Hi rainegurl! Oh yes! We have a lot of decorations! Toys! And goodie bags for everyone! So I know that she will have fun! My daughter comes first! Everyone is coming for her, not me! I don't even think I ever had such a big birthday party!
• United States
29 Sep 09
I have the same problem with my autistic daughter. She doesnt do well with to much happening at the same time. I try to not let people crowd her and kept a distance and respect her social space and have a large enough area for people to spread out so it dont seem like so many people. Ask guests to only approach her a couple at a time. When children at a young age feel over stimulated by activities and socail contact they tend to cry or totally shut down. With gifts only open a few at a time now all at one time. Maybe avoid a huge corous of the happy birthday song... like maybe only mom and dad singing happy birthday to her during the cake event instead of 50 people all at once.
• United States
29 Sep 09
Hi good2go! Yes you know... I always tell my aunts and uncles to not approach so rough! They always expect her to come running to them when she barely sees them! So I know they are going to demand a hug or kiss! And I am just going to have to tell them, not to! My family are such loving people, that they even get me a little upset! lol... But that is a great idea with the birthday song! Thanks for the advice! Have a nice day!
@gohigh00 (65)
• China
29 Sep 09
oh, to my opinion,it's not so good for you 2 year old kid to have such a big party, espcially a party only for her. As you say, she's shy rihgt? So I think if you let her to face such a big party and such a big crowd, a great possibility is that she's nervous and does not want to see so many people, it will make her the 1st but unhappy birthday party. So I think the better way is to hold a smaller one for her, and invite some same age kids to come. Communication between same age kids are much more easier. Maybe, 3 hours later, they can player together and really enjoy her self. Your daughter is so young, so it's reasonalble for her to be a little shy. But I think it's important for parents to take some measure to prevent their child from being closed since the young age. So I think it's better to take her to some playground and let her play with other kids. It's helpful for her personality development. And last thing, If you really want to hold a great birthday party for her, why not wait until the next year. And during 1 year time, do the things mentioned above, So the results will be much more better,isn't it?
• United States
29 Sep 09
Hi gohigh! Well it is not the children that she has a problem with! Its the adults! Family and friends always want to hold her or want some sort of affection from her that she tends to be shy! But when she is with her little friends! She is so adorable! Giving them hugs and such! I don't know what it is.. But I hope that it is a phase!
@Raven7317 (691)
• United States
28 Sep 09
Hi - this may sound weird, but I read this somewhere and it stuck with me. A similar problem, parents want to celebrate child's b-day, lots of family/friends want to be included, child shy/scared of crowds. What was suggested was that the parents STAGGER the arrival of guests. For immediate family, invite at 12, second closest family, invite at 1, next group, invite at 2, and so on. This way, the child is getting used to smaller groups of people and is not overwhelmed by everyone arriving at once. And of course, perhaps the group won't stay so large for such an extended period of time because people who arrive early, may leave early and so on... Strange? Kind of, but doable and a very ingenious way of handling large family/crowds. Best of luck and Happy Birthday to your little one!
• United States
28 Sep 09
Hey Raven! It is so weird that you mention this! Because I just old my family to come at 2 and friends to come at 6! That way she will be relaxed! And people will start coming and going! So it kind of works for me too because I won't be that busy making sure everyone is all fed! I will have a few people at a time! Thanks for responding!
• United States
28 Sep 09
If it's her party, do what she wants...because it's for her anyway. It sounds like you guys are planning a party for yourselves and not considering what she wants too. Ask her and do just that.
• United States
28 Sep 09
Yeah! Your right! Ill see what happens! Thanks for your response!
@gowriv89 (295)
• India
28 Sep 09
Hi prikayjo......Convey my advance birthday wishes to your young daughter.... I will tell you one incident that took place in my relative's birthday party...We celebrated his first birthday in a very grand manner inviting nearly 200 to 300 people...That kid never cry but seeing such a huge crowd he continuously kept crying even after the birthday party got over....Everyone tried to convince him but no use at all....But now that small kid is playing with everyone in a casual manner...He is not at all shy any more...Rather he started to play with everyone...he never misses his mom too...So to get your daughter a better exposure, and to drive off her fear and to make her more jovial go on with the party.
• United States
28 Sep 09
Hey gowriv! See that is what I was thinking also! But than I don't want it to back fire and her not wanting to play of do anything! I hope it works out! Thank you so much for responding!