no I haven’t been robbed this is the aftermath of my daughter’s ninth birthday party. Usually when it comes to celebrating the children’s birthday I opt for a ‘not at home’ venue, where I can quite thankfully leave the celebratory mess for someone else to pick up and come home to my clean peaceful house. 

But this year my daughter who turned nine says to me ‘Mum, I’m NOT a baby anymore, I can’t have my party in a play area, my friends and I want a disco party at HOME’. Trying to quell the rising panic I listen to her with a nervous smile plastered on my face. Once over the initial shock I think WHY NOT!..it can’t be that bad, they are just nine year old kids and I love a good party.

 

But to my dismay to make those three hours of birthday fun a phenomenal success requires, beforehand, weeks of careful planning and negotiating. I think it was easier planning my own wedding rather than trying to figure out the perfect gift to put in the goodie bag. 

 

The right decorations to hang up and appropriate food that the kids will enjoy, no point in spending bucket loads of money on caterers when all the children will do is scoff down birthday cakes or cupcakes and guzzle container loads of fizzy drinks whilst smashing the elegantly made swan cheese puffs into the floor.

 

Not to worry mothers, if you can go through nine hours of labour, you CAN put together a birthday party for your child and rather than be a mess in the corner, enjoy it as well. Here are some useful tips on throwing a successful party:

 

 

 

 

 

Do your research- When you have kids at home, there are always birthday parties around the corner. We go to one every week. If you like the food, or the party planners, inquire from your friends and keep them in mind when planning your own party.

 

Start Early – Once you have decided to do the party this year, then start booking the magician, caterers, party planners as early as possible so you are not disappointed. If you leave it until the last minute then you tend to have fewer options and you might have to settle for things you child would not like. Trouble!

 

Enlist help - A successful party cannot be accomplished by just one person. Enlist the help of others on the day, in this way you are not harassed with a million decisions you have to make, rope in unsuspecting friends to paint face, serve drinks, or organize games. It takes a village to raise a child..and to have a successful birthday party!!

 

Make a list and check it twice - However boring it sounds or you’ve not one of those ‘list making’ people, forget it, this one time write down all the things you need to do that day, even down to making sure you bought enough paper napkins. Organize your party, give it a schedule, even though this defeats the purpose of a party, kiddies get-to-gethers cannot be allowed to ramble on, sugar filled kids converging together into a room results in room full of noise and mayhem that will have you hiding under the table!

 

Have Fun - Most important try and avoid being a perfectionist and remember to have fun. It is after all a party and your beautiful child is turning an year older, an eventful year spent with childhood activities that should be celebrated for once past you will never get back.

 

 

So even though it’s your child’s party, don’t cry about it, get out there and do some boogying. Life is meant to be celebrated, especially your Childs!