It’s hard to believe that next month Tyler will celebrate his sixth birthday. I really wanted to do something special this year. He wants a party at Blu Rabbit’s Paradise (similar to Chuck E. Cheese). The problem is he’s in a class with 22 other kids. Frankly, I don’t think I can afford to pay for so many. But I don’t want to not invite anyone. I may not have to worry because hopefully by the time his birthday rolls around his class will have divided into two classes because they finally hired another teacher. If so, each class will have about 11 kids. I can probably handle that.
But this blog is not about birthday planning, it’s about a cute idea I ran across in Everyday Opportunities for Extraordinary Parenting, by Bobbi Conner. It’s called the birthday letter and it’s really a great idea for a tradition that not only honors your child but records your thoughts and perceptions about your child in real time (rather than relying on your failing memory as your kids age).
It’s really quite simple. Each year around your child’s birthday take some time to reflect on your child’s current life and write them a letter. Then save it and give it to them when they become adults or when they are about to become a parent. The letters become snapshots of your child’s development from an infant to adulthood. Ideally, you should start with the first birthday but it’s not too late to start right now, no matter how old your child is. I plan to start this year. I’m sure your kids would like to have something like this to read when they get older. I think I might go a step further and add a picture of him at each age (maybe a funny playful one, not a school day picture).
In the meantime , if you’re like me and have a party to plan, please read Catherine Ipcizade’s blog, Birthday Parties for Kindergarteners– The Do’s and Don’ts.