Celebrating one child's birthday

[dls116]

We will be going to WDW the week before my DD's 3rd birthday and of course we want to get her a birthday button and make a big deal about it. We will also have our other DD, who will be 6 1/2.

Who has celebrated one child's birthday on a trip? Did you do anything special for the other kid so they didn't feel left out with the special attention the birthday boy/girl will be getting? I was thinking BBB but we are going to hold off on my DD#2's first haircut until we go to Disney and go to the barber shop to get the commemorative Mickey ears so we were going to just get my 6 year old's hair cut/done there. Any other ideas? Or should I just suck it up and take her to BBB?

 

[Calcium]

We are having a similar problem our middle child DD is turning 10, we also have our DS 12 he would be 13 6 week after we return and DD 8 1/2. We have booked CRT for breakfast for her birthday we are getting her, her birthday badge and we have booked tomorrow land terrace dessert party, both as a surprise for her. Although we feel mean that they are predomatly for her, I have tried to justify that it is something for the family, but still feel we should do something for the others

 

[SEA333]

We will be going to WDW the week before my DD's 3rd birthday and of course we want to get her a birthday button and make a big deal about it. We will also have our other DD, who will be 6 1/2.

Who has celebrated one child's birthday on a trip? Did you do anything special for the other kid so they didn't feel left out with the special attention the birthday boy/girl will be getting? I was thinking BBB but we are going to hold off on my DD#2's first haircut until we go to Disney and go to the barber shop to get the commemorative Mickey ears so we were going to just get my 6 year old's hair cut/done there. Any other ideas? Or should I just suck it up and take her to BBB?

If we went on a trip during one kids' birthday, we would celebrate it just as we would at home - the birthday child is special no matter where we are.

Nothing for the other kids....it's not their birthday. They will get special treatment on their own birthday.

However, unless I am going to actually be in WDW the Day of the actual Birthday, I would not celebrate it on a day that is actually NOT the birthday just because it is close.

We have spent the past 10 years witnessing SIL go nuts trying to make everything "fair and equal" at her house with her DD and two stepsons - it is NOT a fun way to live. Things have never been equal at our house. Sometimes someone gets something the other doesn't. That's life. I refuse to lose sleep over the fact that one kid got my last piece of gum and the other two didn't get any. Generally, it's whoever asks first, gets it, when it comes to the small stuff. Or, whoever hasn't been talking back lately! (just kidding...if you don't get the humor, just wait until your kids are 13 and 10 and you will see what I mean!)

Oh, and ....at our house it will always be inherently unfair when it comes to birthdays because my older two are born on June 28th and June 29th, and within days of 4 other cousins, while DS8 has a February birthday not around ANYONE, so honestly he gets more of a "fun" birthday at kid party venues while the other two pretty much have to share the spotlight with a backyard BBQ picnic with the whole family and their birthday cousins

I ask is they are OK with this, and they wouldn't have it any other way. The "special" Feb birthday boy always says that he would rather share his birthday with his siblings! But each child gets their OWN day, even if they are only a day apart. But only ON their actual birthday. We do not celebrate birthdays ahead of time or after the fact with special treatment. (barring the birthday party, which is held on the next closest weekend day)

ETA: I just reread your questions, and my new advice is: since it sounds like the time on your trip will not encompass either one of your DD's birthdays, yes, you should do something special for each of them. I just do not see how you can explain to a 6 year old that even though it's not her little sisters birthday, little sis gets all kinds of special treatment and big sis doesn't. If you are there on the actual birthday itself, I would keep all special treatment for the birthday girl, and confined to her actual "birthday"-day only.

 

[caselaw3]

We will be going to WDW the week before my DD's 3rd birthday and of course we want to get her a birthday button and make a big deal about it. We will also have our other DD, who will be 6 1/2.

Who has celebrated one child's birthday on a trip? Did you do anything special for the other kid so they didn't feel left out with the special attention the birthday boy/girl will be getting? I was thinking BBB but we are going to hold off on my DD#2's first haircut until we go to Disney and go to the barber shop to get the commemorative Mickey ears so we were going to just get my 6 year old's hair cut/done there. Any other ideas? Or should I just suck it up and take her to BBB?

When we went in December we had each child have their birthday there even though neither child had there birthday while we were there - we had a day for our DD and a day for our DS - they got birthday buttons on their day and they got to do the things that they wanted to do that day ---it worked great

this year when we go it will be our DS's 5th birthday while we are there - but we are still going to give our DD a day that is her "birthday"

This made each kid feel special and helped make the trip something extra special for each of them

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Why do you have to do anything special for the child who is not celebrating a birthday? She's already at WDW. She'll have her special day when it's her turn.

 

[Calcium]

I have just explained to my DS who although will be turn 13 6wks after we return back to the UK that although we will not do something "special" out in the USA we will buy his present if he sees something he can't get back in the UK, and he understands. On the other hand the younger DD has taken a bit more to understand that it is actually her sisters birthday while we are staying in the resort, but while we have special things for her birthday, just like we do when it's her birthday, the best bit is that she gets to meet the princesses as well, fingers crossed it works

 

[SEA333]

When we went in December we had each child have their birthday there even though neither child had there birthday while we were there - we had a day for our DD and a day for our DS - they got birthday buttons on their day and they got to do the things that they wanted to do that day ---it worked great

That's interesting....kind of like going out for dinner and saying it's someone's birthday that day to get the free dessert?

 

[dls116]

However, unless I am going to actually be in WDW the Day of the actual Birthday, I would not celebrate it on a day that is actually NOT the birthday just because it is close.

ETA: I just reread your questions, and my new advice is: since it sounds like the time on your trip will not encompass either one of your DD's birthdays, yes, you should do something special for each of them. I just do not see how you can explain to a 6 year old that even though it's not her little sisters birthday, little sis gets all kinds of special treatment and big sis doesn't. If you are there on the actual birthday itself, I would keep all special treatment for the birthday girl, and confined to her actual "birthday"-day only.

We haven't set actual travel dates yet. We originally wanted to renew our vows on our anniversary (February 7th) but having a hard time finding something cheap enough. We are saving 2 years out just to afford our trip, there's no way we can afford another $3,000 for the smallest wedding package. My DD's actual birthday is February 14th (yay we totally screwed her when she gets older and gets guys who will try to give her one gift for bday/Valentines day). Since that will coincide with President's Day Weekend, it's probably going to generate a larger crowd so we may go beginning of the month or end of January. I dunno. I just feel like since it's so close to her birthday, why not let her get some extra attention, you know?

Others have made a good point about my other DD (whose birthday is in July, so I can't even justify slapping a birthday button on her lol). She WILL be in the most magical place on earth meeting her favorite princesses and doing all sorts of fun stuff so it should be enough. I just want to make it amazing for both of them since it's our first trip.

Kind of brings me back to the Full House episode where they are at Disney and Stephanie storms off because Michelle is getting all the attention. Hahaha.

 

[SEA333]

We haven't set actual travel dates yet. We originally wanted to renew our vows on our anniversary (February 7th) but having a hard time finding something cheap enough. We are saving 2 years out just to afford our trip, there's no way we can afford another $3,000 for the smallest wedding package. My DD's actual birthday is February 14th (yay we totally screwed her when she gets older and gets guys who will try to give her one gift for bday/Valentines day). Since that will coincide with President's Day Weekend, it's probably going to generate a larger crowd so we may go beginning of the month or end of January. I dunno. I just feel like since it's so close to her birthday, why not let her get some extra attention, you know?

Others have made a good point about my other DD (whose birthday is in July, so I can't even justify slapping a birthday button on her lol). She WILL be in the most magical place on earth meeting her favorite princesses and doing all sorts of fun stuff so it should be enough. I just want to make it amazing for both of them since it's our first trip.

Kind of brings me back to the Full House episode where they are at Disney and Stephanie storms off because Michelle is getting all the attention. Hahaha.

Haha - I loved that episode!! LOL

I think the trip will be amazing no matter what

I hear you on the holidays/birthdays! My DH was born on Dec 23rd Christmas time AND he is a twin...(AND his niece's birthday is the day before!) I don't think he has ever gotten anything that they either haven't shared, or that wasn't a birthday/Christmas combo gift

And both of my June kids were due on 4th of July, which is the same day as my Nephew's birthday, and another nephew is July 2nd, my neice (4th of July nephew's sister) is June 20th, and one is June 27th. My DD also shares June 28th with my sister in law and DH's aunt. It's crazy! We usually celebrate all as a birthday/4th of July party.

Youngest DS8 was actually born ON Presidents day in 2006 - Feb 20th. He always gets to celebrate his birthday near a long weekend!

I swear, my family has issues with birthing children on/near holidays. The rest of the family is born around Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Easter (late March/early April). Oh..and one on Groundhog's day, one the day before Halloween, and one on St. Patrick's Day!

 

[dls116]

Haha - I loved that episode!! LOL
I swear, my family has issues with birthing children on/near holidays. The rest of the family is born around Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Easter (late March/early April). Oh..and one on Groundhog's day, one the day before Halloween, and one on St. Patrick's Day!

Haha, DD's birthday is July 5th! My water broke the night of the 4th! Gotta love having birthdays near holidays. We have to plan parties around everyones Valentines/July 4th plans.

 

[esquared221]

I'm about to do this very thing and it hadnt occurred to me to be worried about it. On our trip DS will be only days away from his 3rd birthday so we'll do a small something like get him a Mickey birthday cake at one of the restaurants we go to. DD7 got to do the exact same thing right before she turned 4 so I'm planning on going with the whole "you've had one of these too and now it's your brother's turn" thing if she gets jealous. After all, there is going to be lot of stuff she can do at the parks that he can't do (height restrictions and all) so it all evens out in the end.

 

[SEA333]

Haha, DD's birthday is July 5th! My water broke the night of the 4th! Gotta love having birthdays near holidays. We have to plan parties around everyones Valentines/July 4th plans.

I know we are getting way off topic, but I just have to say that it is SOOOO hard to plan "friend" birthdays for my late June kids - with Father's day two weekends before, and the 4th the weekend after, EVERYBODY takes their vacations at that time of the year! One year, we invited 10 boys to DS's 9th birthday party (he's now almost 14!) party, and all but 2 were going to be out of town.

We tried once to have a "half" birthday for them instead, but wouldn't you know it...half-birthdays for June 28th and 29th are Dec 28th and 29th. Just as bad right smack in-between Christmas and New Year! Poor kids just cannot win LOL

 

[Lynne G]

I've never given my one kid something special when we always (according to him) go on vacation on his DSis' bday. I can't help that she was born Labor Day week-end. Try planning parties. No one is around. DS had plenty of bday parties around his November bday. My DS has always just been happy to be on vacation, and when we did the BBB the last 2 years, DS just did something else to pass the time, he wasn't mad.

I don't think there is any difference giving presents and special attention to the bday child on his/her bday at home or away. I don't play favorites either.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

I think if you are not in Disney on her actual birthday, scratch the birthday button idea. My aunt took my two younger cousins at similar ages, 7 and 3. The three year old's birthday was a week after their trip, so they decided to celebrate her birthday while there. Well, the 7 year old wasn't having any of it. She was upset when CM's would sing happy birthday at the restaurants, upset when she did not get a cupcake, and upset when all these people were wishing her sister a happy birthday. Face characters noticed. She definitely noticed. My aunt got so fed up with it halfway through their trip she sucked it up and got my 7 year old cousin a birthday button as well. I don't think there's anything wrong celebrating a birthday at Disney when it's close to the actual trip, but it your case I wouldn't do it.

 

[RachaelA]

I wouldn't worry about it. I'm a firm believer that kids need to learn that they aren't always going to get something just their sibling is. DH's cousin's family has everyone buy gifts for each child on the other's birthday and I find that really odd. They are very nice people, but their kids have come to expect it now.

 

[Poohforyou]

We will be going to WDW the week before my DD's 3rd birthday and of course we want to get her a birthday button and make a big deal about it. We will also have our other DD, who will be 6 1/2.

Who has celebrated one child's birthday on a trip? Did you do anything special for the other kid so they didn't feel left out with the special attention the birthday boy/girl will be getting? I was thinking BBB but we are going to hold off on my DD#2's first haircut until we go to Disney and go to the barber shop to get the commemorative Mickey ears so we were going to just get my 6 year old's hair cut/done there. Any other ideas? Or should I just suck it up and take her to BBB?

Since the birthday isn't really during the trip why not just celebrate when you get home and just let the trip alone be special for both kids.

 

[caselaw3]

for our family - while it wasn't their birthday while we were there - it was there birthday and christmas present from us .... therefore, we celebrated their birthdays at WDW....this year they did not get birthday presents from us and they didn't get fancy birthday parties....they knew that disney was their birthday and christmas ....I didn't feel bad letting them have a birthday button - and feel special on one day while we were there - we didn't take any free cupcakes or anything like that - but it was nice for them to hear happy birthday princess or sir....and it was a way to keep the rest of the trip on my schedule because the days that were their "birthdays" were the days that they got to dictate the schedule, pick the restaurants, the parks, and the rides....

 

[lizard1]

One idea that I would consider for my family (if I was planning to celebrate one person's birthday at WDS) is to celebrate everyone else's UNbirthdays. You could get a birthday button and write UN in front of the birthday. That way, the kid would still get to have their own special day, but at the same time you're not pretending it is their birthday when it is not.

 

[pkelly6]

From one DD's BD to the other's is 6 weeks. We'll be in WDW smack in the middle. We're celebrating both. It will be their first time at WDW. We will also have a party for one before we leave and a party for the other after we get back.

If we were going on just one of their actual dates and only celebrating one, then I'd definitely plan something special for the other. It's not like we'll be going to WDW every year.

 

[tarnator]

Actually we have a similar dilemma.

YDD turns three on our last day in the park and we are going to get her the button. We will go to Ariel's grotto too, for a late lunch/dinner. I have bought both girls some princess dresses for them to wear that day and have already told them that they are allowed to buy 'one' toy at the end of the trip..... so hopefully that will be enough to keep ODD's nose in joint!

She will essentially have the same treatment as YDD except that YDD will get a bit more fuss!

We will have a cake and family party when we get home, so YDD will get more toys then.