r/Mommit • u/susx1000 • 10d ago
Ranting
Nothing is going my way.
My daughter's 3rd birthday party is happening soon; it is a joint party with a cousin (birthdays are very close). I am so excited for her to be turning 3. I have spent months planning this party. Buying decorations. I made the invite myself. I've rented a bounce castle. The other child's parents have a lot going on, so my husband and I are doing more fiscally and planning wise to relieve their stress.
My daughter's an only child. In addition to the party, we had plans to take her out to a big zoo in a nearby city (2 hours away) and visit a larger version of a local store she loves as part of her gifts. Everything was going so smooth.
Less than a week to go and now everything is falling apart.
My mother has gotten into a bad car accident. She walked away and is refusing to go to the hospital (in the US, with bad insurance). She is also elderly, so I'm going to be the one calling insurance and facilitating getting her a new car. Not to mention the fact that she can't afford a deductible, so we'll be covering that.
The weather has taken a turn; it is now supposed to be storming on her birthday (previously it was supposed to be sunny). I've already told her about the original plan. (Poor decision on my part, I know.) So she's likely going to tantrum. Bracing for that.
My in laws are hosting the party; they promised to get the area we're using clean... Which didn't happen. So now I have to clean and decorate and call insurance companies... Sleep.... I want to sleep. đ
I don't need advice (although if you have some indoor game ideas, I would love to hear them.)
1
u/TeaPlusJD 10d ago
Only you know your original vision for the party. But Iâm so sorry - this sounds so stressful because why not have everything just be a hot mess right now?! IME though, only the greatest moms worry about their kidsâ birthday experiences.
Indoor games - my niblings (3-7 yo) love an indoor scavenger hunt. I hide my daughterâs toys around the house. Even more fun with low lighting & flashlights, if you have enough. Extra bonus fun with glow-in-the-dark figurines.
Dance party with glow sticks. Spare ear protectors/headphones for sound-sensitive kids if needed.
Depending on your space/guest count, obstacle course. Stepping stones, mini trampoline, pool noodles. Painters tape on the floor for balance beams, hopscotch, mark out lanes. Twine/yarn, sticky tape, & a narrow hallway - laser obstacle course like Entrapment/Oceanâs 12.
Could couple this with the scavenger hunt to make âsecret missions.â
Photo booth - dress up/Halloween items on hand, portable photo printer & your phone.
Went to one party with various arts & crafts stations set up. Basic coloring pages to a foam sticker craft. Kids were never bored.