July/August 2024 HAWAII PARENT 41 orating cupcakes or making goody bags. Including him in the party planning can also help you manage his expectations. • If the birthday boy has siblings who might get jealous, make sure that a close friend or your spouse is around to provide backup. They can keep an eye on the kids while you take care of the sibling. • Avoid competitive games, since young kids tend to feel bad if they don’t win. If you’re worried about bad sportsmanship, offer crafts as an alternative to games. OLDER CHILDREN As kids get older, it’s more common for parents to drop them off and pick them up after the party. Make the party more enjoyable to you by enlisting a friend to help you watch the kids. Make sure parents know when they should be back to pick up their kids. TIPS • Consider throwing birthday parties every few years, and alternating them with other fun events like sleepovers. • Request RSVPs and include a date that guests should reply by. That way, you won’t need to feel bad about following up when no one has replied. • Older kids often know what they want at their parties, and are old enough to help plan. Pick two or three things that you both enjoy, and focus on planning those. If you and your son love games, spend some quality time together picking out games to play. • If you’re worried that kids will get bored, have a few extra party games on hand. A scavenger hunt, balloon stomp, or photo booth with props from the dollar store are all fun and affordable ways to keep the kids entertained. • Plan the party for after lunch to avoid making lunch for all the guests. You can set up a table with self-serve snacks, juices, and water instead. Planning a party without a meal can also make the day easier on kids with allergies. „Finding and sticking to a simple theme can help cut down on stress.‰
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