For those moms that have 3 or more kids

writermommy4 · **For those moms that have 3 or more kids**

Do you combine the kids birthdays? I have four children. Three of them have birthdays one month after the other(almost). September,October, and December. Between birthdays, school starting and holidays it gets to be a bit much trying to schedule three birthday parties in such a short time. I saw a special on TLC where this large family had small celebrations on each child's birthday, however they threw one large, annual, all day bash for family and friends to come to. They created a theme, all the kids dressed up. They did old fashioned games like three-legged race, ballon pop race, pinatas and anything related to their theme. All of this was done in their own backyard. Their were never any moonwalks or large slides, just good backyard fun.
Anyway, I was just wondering if any of you had done this and how it had worked out.

stacia · 06-27-2007, 10:21 PM

I have three kids, 2 of them in March. No I do not combine, I never will. I believe Bdays are special and I go all out and overboard on occasion for them. I think they deserve a special day just for them. It's one of the many ways I make sure they all get individual attention, time, etc. I do think a huge family party every year is a good idea though, once we move and live close to family we plan on hosting lots of parties! You don't have to have a big party each bday, you could have a family only or a special activity for that child on his/her bday to make it memorable!

araefinn · 06-27-2007, 10:26 PM

That is a really good idea. All our kids b-days are when the weather is still cold out- two in Jan. and one in March. We have birthday parties-the two in Jan., we have it the same day and than the one in March kinda gets his own party. We invite family over but that usually means 20 or more people in our house. We have enough room for everyone, but it would be so much more fun to do it outside. But I really like the idea of combinding all of them into one. Than we could even wait and have it in the summer time at the park or something fun like that. I think I would still do something special for each one on their birthdays; cake, let them pick what they want for dinner or pick a resturant and a few presents. I will have to keep this in mind for next year.

momof4girls · 06-27-2007, 10:29 PM

I have 4 DDs and 2 have birthdays 7 days apart on top of a nephew who has a bday the day after one of the two. I'm a firm believer that each child bday is special and is to be celebrated seperately. We have lunch, cake and open presents. I never spend alot on bdays but each child gets to pick out the meal and the type of cake I make. I don't want them to feel like you need to spend money to have a good time. For the month of Feb. we spent weekend day with family for 3 weeks straight

. But it makes the kids happy. Also me youngest DD shares a bday with the same nephews sister. Again in may we spend two weekend days together.

mrs_teeee67 · 06-28-2007, 12:18 AM

My 'big kids' b'days are in August, December and January,,, those 2 beside Christmas always hurt, but I always had their own day. As others stated, it doesn't have to be 'big', but I feel it does have to be 'all you' on that special day... we're that way with grown up b'days in the house too,,, 'b'day person' gets to pick 'everything',, gets the 'last' anything,, etc

writermommy4 · 06-28-2007, 04:18 AM

I still want to let each kid have their own day. Like a small cake, pick out their favorite foods for the day. And it's not so much the money as trying to find dates where family and friends are available in between holidays. And my having the energy for putting together so many things at once. Especially December her's is the 22nd. I've even thought of breaking it up two and two for the parties. My oldest are Sept and Oct while the youngest are Dec and Feb. Anyway, just an idea.

AyeOhKay · 06-28-2007, 04:26 AM

My kids/ birthdays are grouped in pairs, too. Two are 10 days apart, the other two are 3 weeks apart. When they were little and didn't know the difference, we did put them together once or twice. However, I don't do that now. I saw the show you are referring to in your post, and that family had WAY more kids than 4. I completely understand why they did it the way they did. I would not do it that way with just four though. We have fairly simple parties, but each child gets his/her own special day w/ family and friends.

3boys2anglz · 06-28-2007, 07:47 AM

My older brothers are twins and I was born on their first birthday so all three of us share a birthday. My mom tried really hard to make it special for all of us. Sometimes it was three different parties with our friends, sometimes it was our own cake, sometimes the cake was split in thirds and decorated the way we wanted. Mostly we would each get to pick our favorite food for the meal and we'd end up having the oddest combinations (the biggest favorite meal was tacos, Tony Packo's pickles and fresh pineapple).

I now have boys whose birthdays are every two weeks, August 30, September 16 and October 4. So far we have done separate birthday parties but it is starting to take it's toll both financially and physically. I tend to go all out decorating, making and decorating a special cake, doing goody bags, etc. It's also a lot for my family to travel 2+ hours every two weeks for a party.

Now that they are a little older, I am going to give them the choice for a party someplace (like Chuck-E-Cheese, miniature golf, etc.) with all their friends or their own parties at home.

FreebieFreak1 · 06-28-2007, 08:40 AM

I have 3 kids and 2 of the are twins so they share a birthday but my oldest sons birthday is seperate...I think every child should have their own day to celebrate...

southern_belle_mommie · 06-28-2007, 08:54 AM

No, our kids birthdays are March 31, April 20, Dec 8, and Dec 19. They all get their own birthday party and everything.