https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 18 Apr 2026 22:51:00 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-old-family-birthday#post-2848332 Mon, 01 Oct 2018 09:25:36 +0000 jennlin821 2848332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think at this age, low-key is the way to go. But I think what you are also asking is how to make it memorable. To me that means starting traditions.<br /> My DH's family always did breakfast in bed on their birthdays - even if it was a school day, that kid got breakfast in bed. We've continued the tradition for each other, and I think we'll do something similar for DD's 2nd bday. She's still in a crib, so maybe we bring her into our bed, or set up a breakfast picnic on her floor. </p> <p>So perhaps start a tradition this year - sneaking balloons in sounds fun and easy. Something that you'll be able to do year after year and then it will be memorable :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-old-family-birthday#post-2848329 Mon, 01 Oct 2018 09:15:13 +0000 smuckers 2848329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Amorini: When I was little, my mom would put streamers on our doorway after we went to sleep. When we woke up, we had this lovely "door" of streamers in our favorite color; I remember it always felt SO SPECIAL. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-old-family-birthday#post-2848290 Sun, 30 Sep 2018 20:38:57 +0000 FaithFertility 2848290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Amorini: this sounds heavenly! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-old-family-birthday#post-2848189 Sun, 30 Sep 2018 11:26:36 +0000 Dahlia 2848189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That all sounds really fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-old-family-birthday#post-2848168 Sun, 30 Sep 2018 06:50:43 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2848168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Amorini: the day you have planned with your family of three sounds really special and I bet your 2 year old wouldn’t have it any other way! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-old-family-birthday#post-2848157 Sat, 29 Sep 2018 22:32:29 +0000 Jennibenni 2848157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the three of you sounds perfect! I wouldn’t invite people I’m not close to for the sake of having a larger gathering. On my son’s 2nd birthday we had another family over but we are super close with them and it was basically our usual weekend hangout plus cake and it was great! I think he would have been overwhelmed and upset with a real party and more people as he wasn’t happy with the birthday song. At three h really “got” the whole birthday concept and we had a larger group and he loved it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-old-family-birthday#post-2848146 Sat, 29 Sep 2018 20:12:03 +0000 Amorini 2848146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks so much for these responses! We didn’t really do much for birthday #1 (we bought a smash cake but he wasn’t interested). I also had the notion that kids are too little at this age and don’t care as much as the adults. Then a month ago, another 2 y.o. friend had a big party. No one had a meltdown, the party was like one big Pinterest and it was actually a lot of fun. I’ll admit, I felt some pressure after that, but I know there are mammas out there who have similar ideas as me about low key family birthdays! So thanks a lot for sharing.</p> <p>@LadyDi: You are right — I think we are his favorite people! He’s in daycare so we are slowly getting to know those families. I think next year we could do a big invite to that group, though I’d really like a handful of closer families eventually and do every-other-year low-key parties or outings.</p> <p>@Mrsbells: Thanks so much! I’d probably be more into every year parties if I liked planning and hosting, but I do not! Never having my parents do a party for me, I do think it’s nice for a kid to have some bigger parties, but I agree at these little ages it’s not a big deal...and I can skip the planning/hosting stress. </p> <p>@wrkbrk: Thank you! I love the funfetti pancake idea. That would be a fun tradition year-to-year! </p> <p>@Bluemasonjar: Thanks for weighing in! Yes, that is so true about the difference between this age and next year. We can really focus on his daycare friends next birthday. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-old-family-birthday#post-2848125 Sat, 29 Sep 2018 18:40:59 +0000 Bluemasonjar 2848125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the ideas you have planned are perfect for a 2nd Birthday! My DS recently turned 3 and is only more recently aware of his “friends” and wanting to be more social. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-old-family-birthday#post-2848121 Sat, 29 Sep 2018 18:05:25 +0000 wrkbrk 2848121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with the others! When DS was one he got a gift and a donut for breakfast. When he was two we made funfetti pancakes with candles to blow out. Only this year (3 in November) are we doing a party. Your idea sounds lovely and I’m sure your son will love it. Throw in a gift to open, and the happy birthday song, and take lots of photos! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-old-family-birthday#post-2848114 Sat, 29 Sep 2018 16:45:27 +0000 Mrsbells 2848114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Amorini: At that age I find that low key birthdays are best. A 2 year old doesnt even truly understand that it's their birthday. I know people love 1st and 2nd birthday parties for the sentimental value but I always skip doing anything with friends til they are atleast 3. At age 1 and 2 they are easily overwhelmed with too many people making a big deal about the day. I think what you have planned is more than enough :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-old-family-birthday#post-2848104 Sat, 29 Sep 2018 15:22:09 +0000 LadyDi 2848104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At two years old, I think you and DH are probably your son's favorite people! I wouldn't worry about inviting other families if you think it would be a little uncomfortable just for the sake of your son having someone else to play with. That being said, maybe start to set up play dates with the acquaintances to expand your friend group in the future (if that's something you're interested in). </p> <p>I think your plans sounds really fun! Balloons keep my son (3) entertained for hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-2-year-old-family-birthday#post-2848102 Sat, 29 Sep 2018 15:00:56 +0000 Amorini 2848102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey bees,</p> <p>DS is turning 2 y.o. in two weeks! Two questions here:</p> <p>1. I could use some help vetting my idea to make DS's low-key family birthday special to our family of three (me, DS, DH). When I was a kid, family birthdays meant cake after dinner, but not anything memorable and special. I would like to do something fun, but save an actual birthday party for next year.</p> <p>My idea is having DS wake up to a silly amount of balloons and some decorations, go to a pumpkin patch with farm animals and then return home for cake. Does that sounds like fun? Are there other little fun things we could do? What are you favorite family birthday ideas?</p> <p>2. I am sort of stressed out that it's just us three. I am happy with our family size, but I grew up in a big family, so it's hard for me to visualize DS having a fun day just hanging out with parents. We don't have any family anywhere within driving distance and our friend circle is very new and/or extremely limited. I would really like to share this day with another little family. Practically speaking, there are just 1-2 other acquaintance-level families that I can think of to invite to something so low-key. They have big friend groups and family in town so it's not something they might really understand. At the same time, it seems like it would be more fun for DS if there were at least other kids around.</p> <p>WWYD?</p> <p>TIA! </p>