What kind of “birthday party parent” are you? Do you go all out with an elaborate theme that includes countless decorations, a massive spread of food, and a lengthy guest list? Or do you like to keep it low-key with just a couple of your child’s closest friends, one activity, and some ice cream afterward? Many of us probably fall somewhere in between. Wherever you are on the spectrum of party planning for your kiddos, our Big Birthday Issue is here for you!
First, you’ll want to check out two helpful features to get the juices flowing for your upcoming year of parties. Lisa Seplak walks you through Hosting a Charitable Birthday Party, where she details several themes you can tie directly to a charity, offering your child and his friends an opportunity to give back to the community after the party. Next, if you find yourself on a tight budget, Cheryl Maguire shares plenty of tips and tricks in her article, Secrets to Throwing an Epic Birthday Party on a Dime. Flip the page, and you’ve landed on our Birthday Party Guide, which is full of resources in the River Region to help with all your party planning needs. Our advertisers are highlighted in the guide and would love to serve you! From cakes to inflatables to the best local places to party, you will surely find what you need for everyone in the family.
Not every day is a party when you’re a parent, so in every issue, we want to provide articles to help moms and dads through the challenges and daily grind of raising children. If you are a new (or relatively new) mom or dad trying to get into a daily groove with your little one, Kailyn Rhinehart has some helpful ideas in How Rhythms Help Busy Mamas. She explains that rhythms are habits that create the fluidity needed for the day-in and day-out work of parenting. In Meeting Children Where They Are, Beth Long shares the most effective way to teach your child anything, from how to sit at the table through a meal to cleaning their room.
We hope you have a Happy 4th of July celebrating our great nation with barbecue, fireworks, friends, and family. Thank you to all of the men and women who serve and sacrifice so our families can be free and thrive!
Stay cool until we send you “Back to School” featuring our After School Activities Guide next month.
