My son is turning 10 next week. We're having a few neighbor friends over in the backyard for a scavenger hunt and then roasting marshmallows at the fire pit. I'll probably serve pizza, too. It will be brief...like an hour or 1.5 hours. If the weather is bad, we'll reschedule.

My DS is turning 11 in a couple weeks. We are inviting 3 of his friends over to go for a hike (we can walk to Beach Drive), then roast s’mores in the backyard and have a piñata. Then he’ll get to order out whatever he wants for dinner just with us. DH and I don’t feel comfortable with sleepovers. We have always had a bday party for him at a venue so we explained this year would be different and he’s accepting of it.

My other DS just turned 14. He has SN (cognitively and medically) and he was over the moon they we did a virtual hug video with friends, family and teachers and therapists. I actually think he was happier with this then any other bday party we used to do when he was younger!! He watched the video constantly- he’s always liked looking at videos and pictures of family and friends.

Anonymous wrote:My kid turns 21 this month. Cake, presents, balloons, and a drink with dinner. At home with just our household.

Your 21yo isn’t seeing friends? Going to college? Going to work?

All the college kids we know are out and about.

Anonymous wrote:My kid turns 21 this month. Cake, presents, balloons, and a drink with dinner. At home with just our household.

And I'm sure your 21 yr old wouldn't dare celebrate with friends and debauchery outside of your household "bubble"

My kid turns 21 this month. Cake, presents, balloons, and a drink with dinner. At home with just our household.

Get a Covid test if you wanna do anything indoors with anyone. We have had a lot more outdoor get together with people that weren't that good friends before March 2020 but are cautious with their exposure than friends for decades that are out and about having parties.

Daughter and friend are going to the spa for a spa day. Maybe lunch as well. Kid is turning 18. She can do what she wants.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe all these sleepovers and indoor parties. Just because you don't develop COVID symptoms afterwards it does not mean you don't have the virus and aren't passing it along to others, who get much sicker.

Looks like a bunch of posts in this thread were deleted within the last day or two. There were plenty of people who had the same opinion as you.

I am the OP of this thread. What was said that was deleted? I must have missed it.

I am going back and forth between a park birthday or inviting 1-2 families over to our house.

Invite one family over. Two is pushing risk up a lot of indoors. I’d be ok with the risk of one family coming over if no one in yours is high risk.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe all these sleepovers and indoor parties. Just because you don't develop COVID symptoms afterwards it does not mean you don't have the virus and aren't passing it along to others, who get much sicker.

Looks like a bunch of posts in this thread were deleted within the last day or two. There were plenty of people who had the same opinion as you.

I am the OP of this thread. What was said that was deleted? I must have missed it.

I am going back and forth between a park birthday or inviting 1-2 families over to our house.

From what I saw...if I’m remembering this thread correctly (there have been so many similar), discussion got kind of heated.

Op here. I guess DCUM can find anything to argue about.

My son's birthday is in Feb. and we're going to do pizza and cupcakes in the driveway, just like 2 other neighbors have done in the past few months. The kids seem to enjoy it! They play outside all the time so I'm not worried about anyone getting too cold. Was also thinking about one of those yard sign things, but they're like $200+!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe all these sleepovers and indoor parties. Just because you don't develop COVID symptoms afterwards it does not mean you don't have the virus and aren't passing it along to others, who get much sicker.

Looks like a bunch of posts in this thread were deleted within the last day or two. There were plenty of people who had the same opinion as you.

I am the OP of this thread. What was said that was deleted? I must have missed it.

I am going back and forth between a park birthday or inviting 1-2 families over to our house.

From what I saw...if I’m remembering this thread correctly (there have been so many similar), discussion got kind of heated.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe all these sleepovers and indoor parties. Just because you don't develop COVID symptoms afterwards it does not mean you don't have the virus and aren't passing it along to others, who get much sicker.

Looks like a bunch of posts in this thread were deleted within the last day or two. There were plenty of people who had the same opinion as you.

I am the OP of this thread. What was said that was deleted? I must have missed it.

I am going back and forth between a park birthday or inviting 1-2 families over to our house.

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe all these sleepovers and indoor parties. Just because you don't develop COVID symptoms afterwards it does not mean you don't have the virus and aren't passing it along to others, who get much sicker.

Looks like a bunch of posts in this thread were deleted within the last day or two. There were plenty of people who had the same opinion as you.

I can't believe all these sleepovers and indoor parties. Just because you don't develop COVID symptoms afterwards it does not mean you don't have the virus and aren't passing it along to others, who get much sicker.

We get take-out for dinner for the immediate family. This is a treat reserved only for birthdays--we are down to one income thanks to pandemic job loss.

DH and I get the birthday kid a present and the kids make each other presents and cards. The birthday-person gets to choose the destination for our family hike. We may Zoom with extended family. After dinner we will play board games or watch a family movie.

It is simple but joyful and within our current means and the confines of the COVID precautions. The kids are not complaining and really look forward to their turn to choose the restaurant for take-out.