Birthday worries

[fredgirls]

Hi There,
Just looking for your thoughts. We'll be at wdw for my daughters 10th birthday. I'm just worried about my 5 year old. Obviously going to disney is fantastic enough, but i've read about all the special treatment the birthday child gets from cast members etc. and I feel guilty about how the little one will feel. Her birthday is just 6 weeks later. Would you celebrate it for her another day? Has anyone had this experience? She's a quiet, sweet girl who probably wouldn't say anything, which makes me feel even worse! Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
Anita

 

[LWatson]

You could focus on one child one day and then another day the other child. Our kids birthdays are also 6wks apart, but since we did our Oldest's birthday at disney earlier this year this trip is for the youngest.

 

[brymolmom]

I wouldn't. I just don't see the need. I would celebrate child whose actual bday it is and my other child, likely, would be happy with the extra attention the family would get. If there was any question or potential sadness, I would say 'we'll do something really fun on your bday too - it's coming up pretty soon' - or something similar.

But then, I'm not that into the making sure everything is exactly equal for each kid thing. I mean, I try to be fair, but at some point they need to know that it's ok for a sibling's birthday to be celebrated now - and the other will be later.

Someone's always going to have something better, more fun, more expensive, and so on....

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

We are going to be in WDW for my DS's 8th birthday next week. There is no way I would make this a "birthday" trip because there is no way I can make sure that all 5 kids get one. And he doesn't want it that way because he knows when we are there it is a family trip so we do our best to do what is important to each member of our family. Instead the Fri. before we leave he gets an unlimited video game day, cake and opening presents. That's what he chose for his party.

DD, DS and I all have June birthdays so we are going to take one day apiece to wear a birthday button. I don't think the other two kids are going to feel left out as they get special celebrations for their birthdays as well and the kids and I will not be getting any more gifts or anything. Plus my kids view it as when one person celebrates they all get to and I've already told them that on Ds's birthday there they will all get to choose a special dessert (we don't usually eat dessert with our meals).

Boy, I'm long winded. What I'm saying is I would let your 10yo wear a button, just make it special for your other DD, too, by including her in any celebrations and if you give your 10yo a gift there maybe you could give the 5yo a party favor bag or something like that.

 

[KerriMc]

My oldest always celebrates her birthday while we are on holidays because it falls on our spring break. She has worn a birthday badge or ribbon and she has had her birthday acknowledged and such, but nothing beyond the ordinary birthday celebrations. I mean it is really nice to have Ariel or Cinderella say happy birthday, but no one has ever fallen all over her. We do celebrate at Chef Mickey's or 1900 Park Fair, and they all do wish her a happy birthday which is really nice. This year I got her a chocolate glass slipper at Cinderella's Gala Feast, but I also got one for my youngest dd that said "Love you Olivia" on it.

My youngest has asked when we are going to WDW for her birthday (but she is summer baby) and I dont' think she can handle that heat and humidity! All she wants to do is go to the character meals as they make a bit of a fuss over you there, more so than in the parks - at least with our experiences. I think so many people have birthday buttons now, whether it is their actual day or not, that the novelty is worn off? I dont' know - maybe that is just me - but I wouldn't worry too much

Kerri

 

[fredgirls]

Thanks Guys. This is the perpective I needed! I knew when I posted this that it may look like the 5 year old was a spoiled brat! Actually we don't engage in the 'equal' thing normally either, but that's easy because they're quiet girls that never make it an issue! Luck for us! I think I was over thinking the birthday thing. We're not there to celebrate her birthday - it just happens to fall on march break also. And she's just so overwhelmed that we'll be there for her birthday that I don't think i need to go to any extra trouble. That will certainly relieve my 'mum guilt' for the little one. Thanks again guys for your focus! Anita