Not-So-Happy Birthday
Today Giggles turned 3! She has been so excited about it for the past few weeks and was looking forward to her big day. This afternoon, hubby and I went to her school to have a birthday party for her with her classmates. These school birthday parties are a big deal to the kids and they all rave about whose birthday party it was at school and what kind of cake they had, etc. So we were all expecting a fun time - we had the Minnie Mouse party stuff, the Dora and Boots cupcakes, the party hats, the goody bags - but we didn't expect Giggles to burst into heaving sobs when everyone started singing "Happy Birthday." The poor child was so upset and we have no idea why! Maybe it was because they had just finished naptime. Or maybe the excitement was just too much to bear. Or maybe having the spotlight on her freaked her out. Whatever the reason, she was distressed and wanted to go home. Hubby ended up letting her sit in the car for a little bit until she calmed down. She eventually came back inside and sat on my lap and had a cupcake. With her coat on. It was a sad sight.
I'm thinking she's having a hard time with the idea of becoming a "big" girl. We've been using that term in trying to get her to stop sucking her thumb, etc. and lately she's taken to saying "I don't wanna be a big girl." And so the Mommy Guilt invites itself over for coffee. Maybe she's feeling like she had to "grow up" to fast because of L'il Buddy's arrival? I have no idea. But I will be making extra sure to give her comfort that she is still my baby and always will be.
Even if we did waste $40 on party supplies. 
Mamalaw is a group blog about three moms and wives who just happen to be lawyers too. We have seven kids between us which means that we have no shortage of funny stories, touching moments, reasons to rant and the occasional kernel of parenting wisdom. In our "spare time," we founded 
7 comments:
awwwwwwwwwwww poor baby! she was so excited about celebrating her birthday and when the time arrived, she was like UMMMMM NO thank you!
Give her a happy birthday hug from me!
Oh my! I am trying to decide what to do for Repeat's big 3. It's the 24th. I felt guilty at his 2 year birthday because I caught myself calling him a big boy at the ripe old age of 2 since he was already a big brother to a 6 month old.
I think I am going to keep it simple and have some of his buddies over for pizza and cake. I am not up for the big party this year:(
Awwwwhhhh, poor baby. That happened to my lil one last year (at 2) and we figured it was the attention etc. So...we kept practicing for 3 and it turned out fine. I suggest you have a practice run before the shin dig tomorrow so that she's not overwhelmed.
Don't feel guilty - my one and only went through the same thing (of wanting to be a baby) and there is no one else in the picture. So, it has nothing to do with lil buddy; I think it's a natural thing.
Aww your poor little big girl :) Sometimes excitement can have the opposite effect, her reaction sounds very normal to me. Things can get very overwhelming when you are 3, hope she enjoyed the rest of her special day.
Poor thing . . . she just wanted her mama! Kids can freak out at the strangest things. When my Maggie was in the hospital once they had a blood hound go around the pediatric ward cheering the kids up, he was the cutest wrinkly, gentlest thing . . . Molly freaked out and screamed. The poor handler was distraught that he had never made a kid cry before! She freaks out about Chuckie Cheese, too, but that's totally understandable.
I know how you feel. This happened to us with Oldest. He covered his ears and started crying. Then anytime someone else had a birthday he would do the same thing. Maybe it brought back bad memories for him. This will pass. GIve her big kisses for me, hope you guys have a blast. Wish I was there :(
Poor thing! That "big girl" status can be a bit much for them I suppose. We'd been using that to try to get Lovegirl to stop sucking her thumb. She plainly told us that she is a big girl sometimes and a baby sometimes and promptly stuck her thumb back in her mouth!
Happy belated BDay to her!!
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