Be a Better Parent Challenge - Day 27 - Celebrate good times

Today is my husband's birthday and he'll be celebrating alone on a golf course this afternoon. I'd take 18 holes of complete peace and quiet. And I don't even golf.

But, you don't need a birthday to have a reason to celebrate.

#27: Celebrate good times - big or small

If you know my in-laws, then it shouldn't surprise you that they are the Chairman and CEO of the "under celebraters" club. Aside from a few cool birthdays growing up and way too much money spent on crappy toys at the holidays, they rarely ever celebrated any sort of achievements, big or small.

This also means that my husband is an under celebrater himself, which, I might add, really sucks. It's great that you don't want anything for any holiday or any occasion, but some of us other people *ahemcoughcough* actually enjoy getting stuff.

Sigh.

My mom was the complete opposite, which I love, and hope to aspire to with my kids. She's super thoughtful, but not extravagant, so the gifts or sentiments were always small but meaningful.

This doesn't necessarily mean you have to throw a party, but what about dinner out, or flowers, or a special cake? I'm pretty sure that you can't celebrate your kids enough. d

So happy birthday to my husband! And hopefully you'll find a reason to celebrate today or in the near future!

Comments

[Amanda]

I just said no to tv and took a 1/4 of a watermelon out of the fridge and let the girls eat it recklessly and with unparalleled zest at the kitchen table. It's before dinner, it's out of the norm, but it's Friday and we are actively delighting in it. Celebrating FTW

[MU]

Love this idea, Sue - it's really awesome.

[Rocat]

Oh, and Sue- I really like the special plate idea!

[Rocat]

I like this one a lot. My son likes it when I let him choose what's for dinner (he usually picks tacos). When he's had a good week at school or if he's been particularly sweet with his little sister I'll surprise him and let him choose. We also like to do fun things on the weekends and tell them it's because they're such awesome kids. Last weekend was a Disney trip before the back to school routine. Tomorrow we're checking out the kids' program at the Dali museum.

[Sue Rodman]

I'm really enjoying your Parenting Challenge. These are small, easy things you can do. Re: today's challenge - someone once told me "life has enough bad stuff, you gotta celebrate everything you can." We don't do enough of that around here. I'm a terrible gifter. It actually stresses me beyond believe to get a present for someone. An easy celebration idea: We have a special plate that doesn't get near enough use. If someone does something good, loses a tooth, gets a good grade, makes a team, they can get the special plate at dinner. The kids really love it and we should do it more because it doesn't cost anything and you were going to use a plate for dinner anyway.