Anonymous wrote:There must be some other reason friends and family are suggesting you not do the party, which otherwise sounds like a completely doable event for an 8 months pregnant second time mom. If fact seems like near perfect timing.

You have it in reverse, the baby will be born six weeks before DD's birthday, not six weeks after. With my parents, I know they're saying not to do it because in their culture, the new mom and baby stay cloistered at home for a few months and planning and attending a party six weeks in runs counter. Also, DD was an easy newborn but who says the new LO will be. If LO is not easy, I could see the party planning being pretty difficult if I'm really sleep-deprived.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did this. I didn't want my daughter to feel displaced by the new baby. I did as much planning as I could in advance. Grandma watched the baby so DH and I could attend the party (didn't want to expose baby to bounce house germs).

Sigh... I guess I can do this.... not looking forward to it, but it's doable. No grandparents in the area, but I know her nanny would be okay with watching the baby during the party.

OP, I know it’s hard, but try not to be resentful. Try to think of it as a perfect opportunity to show your daughter that she has not been displaced by the baby. My kids love to talk about their upcoming party and you can make her feel great by discussing the party while feeding or otherwise taking care of the baby.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did this. I didn't want my daughter to feel displaced by the new baby. I did as much planning as I could in advance. Grandma watched the baby so DH and I could attend the party (didn't want to expose baby to bounce house germs).

Sigh... I guess I can do this.... not looking forward to it, but it's doable. No grandparents in the area, but I know her nanny would be okay with watching the baby during the party.

What exactly is the problem? You have your husband and a nanny. The venue does all the work. Stop being selfish and lazy

Yes. My kids are 6 weeks apart and I had one for dd. It was fine. Actually I was on maternity leave and had more time than I’ve ever had in my entire life to plan and cook

Anonymous wrote:Yes, of course. Are you married? Have DH plan the party. My husband plans our kids’ parties and it’s mostly phone calls. He keeps it simple (more simple than most people would) and it’s fine. I find 6 week olds to be pretty portable, assuming no health issues.

meant today, he keeps it more simple than most women would, and it’s fine. He doesn’t stress over fancy decorations or elaborate goody bags.

Anonymous wrote:I did this. I didn't want my daughter to feel displaced by the new baby. I did as much planning as I could in advance. Grandma watched the baby so DH and I could attend the party (didn't want to expose baby to bounce house germs).

Sigh... I guess I can do this.... not looking forward to it, but it's doable. No grandparents in the area, but I know her nanny would be okay with watching the baby during the party.

Yes, of course. Are you married? Have DH plan the party. My husband plans our kids’ parties and it’s mostly phone calls. He keeps it simple (more simple than most people would) and it’s fine. I find 6 week olds to be pretty portable, assuming no health issues.

There must be some other reason friends and family are suggesting you not do the party, which otherwise sounds like a completely doable event for an 8 months pregnant second time mom. If fact seems like near perfect timing.

Anonymous wrote:I’d do it if your kid really wants one. If they’d be happy with an experience, do that instead.

She'd like an experience, but it would definitely not match up to a party.

I did this. Had a big 5th birthday for DS1 when DS2 was 2 wks old. We were recently looking at old photos (both are teens now) and he asked me who the fat lady in the picture was.

Thanks honey!

Anonymous wrote:You have to have a party. You don't want your older kid to feel resentment toward the baby.

OP here. I thought about this, too. If we didn't have a party, I would not say it's because of the baby, I would give her some other believable reason. She's young enough that she very well might not put 1 and 1 together. I would also plan some other activity, such as family outing to Disney on Ice (or whatever is going on then that she would want to go to) for her birthday so we would still celebrate it.

I did this. I didn't want my daughter to feel displaced by the new baby. I did as much planning as I could in advance. Grandma watched the baby so DH and I could attend the party (didn't want to expose baby to bounce house germs).

I’d do it if your kid really wants one. If they’d be happy with an experience, do that instead.

You have to have a party. You don't want your older kid to feel resentment toward the baby.

Baby due in March, DD's 5th birthday is early May. DD, like many kids, looks forward to her birthday party for the better part of a year. For her fourth, we held a party for about 20 kids at the kiddie gym where DD takes classes. Repeating her party at the same place would be the easiest thing to do since we know it and the gym takes care of a lot of details, but.... there is still a fair amount of work to do. The thought of planning a party for 20-25 kids while dealing with a newborn doesn't sound fun for me.

Have any of you all been through this, and if so, what did you do? Or if you haven't, what would you do? I've talked about this with my parents and a couple friends and everyone is saying don't have the party. I feel a little bad about this, especially since I feel like it is doable if I just take care of details such as party favors far, far in advance and use the same pizza place/baker/etc as last year.