Birthdays Are Special Times for Kids

Your child's birthday is just around the corner, and you and your family are having fun planning the big party. That is, until you check the calendar and realize on what day of the week your child's birthday falls. Don't fret if it's in the middle of the week, parties can't always be scheduled on your child's exact birthday. Here are a few ideas for you and your family to make the actual day special and unique.

KEEP THE "BIRTH" IN BIRTHDAY:

How many of us tell our children how glad we are that they were born? Here are some ways to let our kids know how special they are to us:

-Pull out the baby pictures and reminisce about all the cute things your child did. Tell favorite stories about family moments.
-Create a list of all the things you like about your child. Read the list at the dinner table.
-Invite your child to plan the menu for dinner on his or her birthday each year. Keep a record of the meals and as the years go by you can talk about how your child's tastes have changed from birthday to birthday.
-Let your child pick out the birthday cake. Take a picture of the cake and save these from year to year to reminisce. Start a scrapbook on birthday fun.
-For younger children, create a special hat or badge to wear on their birthday. Artistically made by Mom or Dad.
-Make and give your child "coupons" that allow them special opportunities such as a movie date with Mom or an ice cream date with Dad.

CONDUCT A BIRTHDAY INTERVIEW:

We appreciate the memories that make our families unique. They are the instant replay of shared times together and of times that give us a sense of belonging. Every year when one of my children's birthdays comes around, I conduct a mini interview on audiotape. I ask questions like, "What would you like to be when you grow up?" and "Tell me about our family."

You can also ask your children to tell you about school, vacations, and other significant events. Date and save these interviews from year to year. My kids think their responses from younger years are hilarious. As a variation, use a camcorder and videotape the interview-a picture is worth a thousand words.

AT THE DINNER TABLE:

Mealtimes are the perfect time to capitalize on family camaraderie. Here are a couple ideas to make a birthday dinner special:

-Put disposable cameras on the table for everyone to take candid shots at the family birthday dinner.
-Use plain white butcher paper for the tablecloth and set out cups of crayons. Make pictures and doodles that are special to your child. Save the drawings if they're not soiled.
-On your child's birthday, serve foods in the same quantity as your child's new age. For example, if your child just turned five, serve five apple slices, five cheese chunks, and five carrot sticks.
-Do a little singing together after your meal. Do you know these songs? Skid-a-ma-rink, I've Been Working on the Railroad, Bingo, On Top of Old Smokey. Or sing any songs you and your kids like.

BIRTH YEAR COINS:

Look through your pocket change and find coins dated with the year of your child's birth. Glue the coins to a piece of felt to make a mini-banner. Display the banner-with new coins added yearly-on your child's birthday.

FAVORITE FOOTSTEPS:

Using construction paper cut out several pairs of footprints (tracing around a shoe makes a good pattern). During the day (or night before) tape these to the floor. When you're ready for the birthday present, have your youngster follow the footprints to where the gift is hidden. Tracking in and out of several rooms is really fun.

No matter when or how your child celebrates a birthday-whether it's alone with your family or in a big birthday bash-what she will enjoy and remember most are your gifts of love, time, and attention.