|
|
In our last poll, “Multiple Birthdays What’s Your Take”, we visited a dilemma common to parents who have more than one child: your children’s birthdays are close together and while you want to make the big day special for each child you also need to keep an eye on your finances and hesitate to have the parties back to back. You have spoken and many of you have chosen to host separate parties complete with all the trimmings. Fewer have decided to lump together the parties, while even less said that they only celebrate milestone birthdays. Interestingly, nobody has thought of involving grandma or alternating parties. While very obviously one size does not fit all, here are some common sense ideas for your little ones and their special days:
- Pick a neutral weekend to celebrate both birthdays.
- Go all out and have the jumpers, cakes, face painters, party favors, and whatever else will make the day special.
- Allow each child to invite her or his classmates, friends, and acquaintances. Be sure to have age and gender appropriate games and activities for everyone, and enlist the help of some friends to run these games and activities.
- On your children’s actual birthdays, have a cake for the child whose birthday it is and mommy and daddy’s birthday presents.
This approach will most likely cut down on jealousy, permit for multiple celebrations and ensure that your children will feel very special indeed.
Party on!
|
|
 This time around, we want to look at a rather serious childhood issue, namely that of lying. While we are all guilty of lying, stretching the truth, omitting facts, or not saying anything when perhaps we should, nothing will knock the wind out of a parent’s gut faster than hearing a little child tell a whopper of a lie with a straight face and frantic insistence.
|
|
Here is the scenario: your little sunshine decided to open the refrigerator without permission, took out an open juice box, and proceeded to spill all of it out onto the floor. Everything is sticky, and you ask her what happened. With big eyes she will look at you and with a straight face she will blame the cat, the dog, her sibling, or the mailman for spilling the juice, leaving her entirely blameless. You know better, and you know that your child just told a lie. What do you do? Take our poll!
|
|
|
|
About Sylvia Cochran
Welcome to the world of a poet and freelance writer who juggles a family, work, and a hundred commitments. Born and raised in Germany, and since 1988 living in the United States, this writer offers a global perspective on parenting issues, everyday living situations, time management, ethics, marriage, and personal growth. She publishes her work at Families Online Magazine, and Bella Online. Contact her with questions and comments at sylviacochran@hotmail.com and be sure to put “Families Online” into the reference line.
|
|
