Parenting Toddlers

Party Basics for Toddlers

AVOID SOME COMMON BIRTHDAY PARTY PROBLEMS WITH THIS HELPFUL GUIDE
by Peggy Middendorf 

Party Manners
At your child's last birthday party, after opening a present, did he loudly announce, "Oh yuck!"?

And did your toddler cry when she couldn't take home a present she brought to a party?

Birthday parties can be trying times for parents, but they can also present an opportunity to brush up on some of Miss Manners's simplest rules. Birthday child, guests and parents can all practice their skills.

Talk with the birthday child well before the party. Discuss what will be expected of her. A good hostess greets her guests at or near the door. She should introduce any strangers to the other guests.

Gift-giving and present-opening are the most likely times for impolite manners to crop up. Suggest what the birthday child might say in the case of duplicate gifts or presents she doesn't like. She should practice saying something nice about each present, being sure to include the gift-giver's name. Presents can be passed around (this is only appropriate for children over the age of 6) or held up so that everyone can see them.

Even though the party is for the birthday child, discuss trying to keep the "mine" and "me first" syndrome under control throughout the party.

The birthday child should always thank every child for coming and their gift as well as say good-bye as he leaves. Children need to send short thank-you notes to everyone.

As the guest at a birthday party, prepare your child so that he can handle any difficult situations that might arise. Boys especially have trouble with the competition that games bring out. Some children want to know why the birthday child gets everything. Toddlers might have trouble letting the birthday child keep the present they brought.

Parents should polish up on party manners too. When asked to R.S.V.P. to a party invitation, take a moment to call the hostess. With many birthday parties costing far more than just the price of cake and ice cream, hostesses must know how many children to plan for.

Conversely, if your child is expected at a party but is unable to attend, call the hostess so that she and the birthday child will know.

Birthdays And Siblings
A sibling, whether older or younger, can provide major problems at birthday parties. There are many different thoughts on how to handle this situation. Knowing your children, see which approach might work best for your family.

1. Make sure the sibling is invited to the party. However, if she doesn't want to be at the party itself, make arrangements for a special day with a friend.

2. Let the sibling invite one of his friends to the party.

3. Put the sibling in charge of one special activity or game at the party. He could be a special helper, passing out favors or helping beforehand to decorate.

4. Some parents have a small present for the sibling to open as the birthday child opens his presents. However, others choose to emphasize and explain that this is the birthday child's special day and that soon she will have her own special birthday celebration.

5. Get out the photo album that includes the sibling's past birthday photos. Remind him that his birthday was a fun party also.

6. Let the sibling come as a guest and be treated as such.

7. Let an older sibling help plan a baby or toddler's birthday party.

Birthday Photo Tips
If your birthday photos are anything like mine, they're a collection of unfocused blurs. Many of us assume that birthday photos just take themselves. But with a little advance planning and a little help from your friends, party pictures can be treasured for years to come.

1. Assign an adult as official picture taker; the hostess is just too busy.

2. Take pictures early in the party, before the mess.

3. Try to take a Polaroid of every guest and give as a party favor or use for a special thank-you.

4. Take a picture of the birthday child in the same setting every year.

5. Candid pictures are usually best, but some posed pictures can be fun for the guests.

6. Party photo opportunities: the invitation, opened presents with birthday child and guests, the uncut cake and decorated party room, the birthday child and the entertainer.

7. A video camcorder provides a priceless recollection of the party. If you do not own a recorder, rentals are reasonable and well worth the money of an afternoon's rental for a lifetime of memories..