Seeking Mom's with Children VERY Close in Age

This year, I had a party on the same day and same time (for convenience of friends, family and ourselves), and I just had my 2yr old play with his trains and toys in his train room and my 4yr old was in his space room doing space things (crafts and games) with his friends. This was a year that they were both really into 2 different things and 2 completely different age levels.

Last year, they were 1 & 3, so I picked a mutual theme, and we had one HUGE party with about 30 kids 1-4yrs. We had a big circus party where we sang happy birthday to both of them but seperately, they both had their own small individual cake (to make it a little more special and individual) along with the big cakes for the party. Because I was having 2 parties in 1, we could make a bigger deal out of it. I usually spend about $50-$100 on entertainment, games, crafts, etc for parties, so I was able to double that for a double party. We had a "3 ring circus" with a clown, a moonbounce (that we already owned), and an animal "ring" with pony rides and a little mini petting area with several small animals. We also had face painting (done by a friend) and cotton candy (several big bags from the Dollar Tree fluffed up in a big bowl) and hot dogs to eat. I got some great little things from the dollar tree to put in the goody bag that went great with the theme. Everything together was around $150-$175 (with minimal decorations), but it seemed massively extravagant. You just need to do a lot of asking around, comparing, and use of people you already know.
Next year, they'll be 3 & 5, so we're going to have another combo party. My 4yr old's already decided that he wants it to be a magic party. I've already started getting a few things here and there (like magic kits and favors when I find them on sale) to make it more affordable for me. DH has a friend that's a magician that will do the party for about $100 and (and he specializes in kid parties). He said He'd make it special for the both of them with them separately being "special magicians" at no extra cost other than the cost of the magic kit he gives them at the end of the show (which I already have bought for really cheap). A lot of people (like our clown we had) will do the same stuff for 2 kids as they do for 1 at the same cost.

As far as helping the 1yr old deal with the baby, just involve her in everything she can be involved with. I have 2 that are 13 1/2 mths apart, and when #2 arrived, #1 was in shock. I have SEVERAL pictures of both of them in my lap being rocked or taking a nap together in my arms. :) I tried to make the transition from #1 being my baby to #2 being my "baby" as smoothly and unnoticed as possible. I always made (and still make) time for both of them to have their own individual "mommy" time. To transition #1 from being on your hip all of the time to #2, get #1 to start helping you throw diapers away and bring you diapers and other things. Give her her own baby doll and baby swing and have her take care of her baby while you take care of yours. Get her involved with making the baby happy while she's in the swing or on the floor with tummy time. She can be your helper by shaking toys in front of the baby or making silly faces at her. My son LOVED (yes, even at 14 & 15mths old) making the baby laugh and doing stuff to help.

I hope something that I said helps a little bit. The 1st 1 - 1 1/2yrs with 2 that close can be REALLY rough and exhausting, but after that, it's AWESOME. I prefer that now to anything. They always have someone to play with and don't need constant entertaining. They're close enough to the same age group to play with the same age level toys and be in the same age level/group in sports, music, scouts etc most of the time. We were really stressed with the thought of two 13mths apart at first, but then we decided we wanted our next 2 to be just as close. Unfortunately, that's not how it turned out. Soon we'll have 5,4,2 and baby. 2 yrs is good, but 1yr is great.

GL! and feel free to come to me any time.

First of all, bless you, because I have a daughter born in May 2006, and couldn't imagine already having another one! So the fact that you are sane enough to think about a birthday is amazing. The first year, I don't think birthdays matter that much. Just give the younger child a cake to squish her hands in and she should be happy.

In following years, I would keep one big theme or idea, and just do the parties together. When they get to be about 6, I would let them vote- party together or not. You might tell them that a party by them selves will be smaller, but a party together will be bigger. Check out Family fun- online they have great party ideas.

Have fun.

I have a 5 yr old son and a 3 yr old daughter whose bdays are in Sept. and Oct. respectively. Right now they have the same friends. Last year i decided to have a joint party at Playworld Down Under. We rented out the place and had a private party for about 25-30 kids. It was awesome! Each child got to pick out his/her own cake and we sang to each of them separately. We waited until the next day to open all the presents at home. All the girls got "girl" bags from my daughter and the boys got treat bags from my son. It was a whole lot easier than having 2 separate parties (and i would have invited the same people to both parties anyway). Good luck!

S.,

I can relate to you. My son was born on May 11, 2005 and my daughter was born on April 26, 2006 so they are close in age as well.

My daughter just turned 1 and we had her party this past Saturday. I chose to celebrate their birthdays seperately this year since it was my daughters 1st. Next year I believe I will do their parties together because when they get older they will probably want to do them seperately.

My son was never jealous of his little sister until about 2 months ago. So I can't offer much advice on how to help your oldest adjust to her little sister. What I can say is, I would have her help you out as much as she can. Maybe holding her sisters bottle if she's bottle fed. Have her help give you diapers, wipes, etc. for diaper changing. My son loved to throw away the diapers so I let him put them in the diaper champ and turn the handle over. Hope this helps!

I am a mother to a son born March 10, 2006 and a son born February 7, 2007. Since I have 11 month difference, I can easily have separate birthdays for them, so I am sorry, but I have no advice there.

On the other hand, I have gotten my oldest to 'help' me do things or have him give the baby attention just by talking. I have really made sure that I make it a big deal just to sit with the baby, or give the baby kisses.

GL
C.
28 years old and mother to twin girls, Mercy Ruth(8/9/04) and Grace Lucille(8/13/04) born 17 weeks too soon, son Gavin Bradley (3/10/06) and Dylan Emery (2/7/07).

I have a son whose birthday is December 18,2002 and a daughter whose birthday is November 6, 2003. I have the same problem as you. I have learned to have seperate parties with the family, but since they have the same friends, my husband and I throw a big party together. I hope that helps.

I know that birthday parties are a huge deal nowdays. I've been to so many over-the-top parties, my head swims! But the reality is, that all kids need is to be loved and honored. What a precious treat for sisters to be able to SHARE a birthday! Obviously they're so close, your oldest won't even remember a time without her sister so it's like they share a special, "secret" bond in only being 365 days apart! Since they're both girls, you can have a fabulous bash where they are both the honored "princesses" of the family and just do it together for the rest of their lives. They will probably share friends anyway! :)

I have two kiddos; a boy age 7, a girl age 4. Their birthdays are 6 months apart, but every other year, we have a mutual summer bash where all our friends are invited to a party at our family riverhouse. We play games, decorate, and celebrate both their birthdays. During the event, we make everyone sit down and our kids stand up, and my husband and I just briefly describe how special each one is to our family and how blessed we feel that they are a part of it. Then everyone goes back to partying and having fun! Neither child has ever shown a hint of jealousy and they both get to celebrate eachother and the joy of being a family!