Celebrating Another Year.

For months now my 6-year-old granddaughter has been asking how long it will be until October. Since the beginning of the year, she started counting the months. And now that the month of October has started, things got more intense, because now she was counting the days until the 16th. Every time, every moment of the day, since the beginning of the month, she was asking how many days until her birthday. We started to call her "the intense child" because it really got to the point where she was making her parents cranky.

Early this morning, October 15th, the first thing she said when she woke up was: "Guess, tomorrow is my birthday! We didn't have to guess anything, she has been reminding us for months... hahaha.

My granddaughter is not the only child who is intense with her parents. All children are intense when it comes to celebrating their birthdays. They get ahead of the day, announcing many days in advance, even months in advance, their party among their cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and among their favorite little friends. For children, their birthday is a big celebration party. Thus putting parents in a big commitment to planning a children's party that might be out of the family's budget for the month. But is it important to celebrate children's birthdays?

Yes, it is very important. It's not just the party. Even the party doesn't have to be ostentatious. It is enough to have a cake with candles and to be with family and friends. The important thing is to foster certain values in your child that influence their emotional development. Family togetherness, socializing with friends, the joyful side of life, and the importance of sharing are some of the reasons to celebrate with joy such an important date for the child.

By celebrating a child's birthday, parents are also helping to raise their child's self-esteem. When a child feels celebrated, she (or he) feels important and loved by his parents and other family members. The party, however simple it may be, has great emotional value for the child.

Celebrating birthdays has a positive side, it strengthens family ties. That aspect is very positive for your child. She (or he) feels happy that everyone is together on his special date.  With her or his closest friends, the child's companionship is fostered, so that she or he begins at an early age to establish social relationships as a member of the community where the child lives.  

Taking good photos or good videos of the celebration, even if it is very simple, is important as it reinforces childhood memories of joyful moments. These create positive memories that can become very meaningful to the child and the family in the future.  

Another positive side of celebrating your child's birthday is that children are unaware of their growth. By being aware of their date every year, it is a positive development for your child, they gain a perspective of time. In this way they get to understand and discover that each year is a process of growth. My granddaughter, when she looks at the photos of her past birthday parties, always admires herself and says: look, when I was little... hahaha, that is, with her 6 years old she learned that every year she grows up... we will see what she will say tomorrow when she is 7 years old.

Parents, don't feel worried if you don't have the financial resources to throw a big birthday party for your child. If you don't have the money for something ostentatious, talking to your child is important. At the end of the day, they are only interested in celebrating with a cake, candles, some refreshments, and candies. Something simple will do. With family and a few friends, in an environment where the child feels included, with lots of love and affection from everyone around them, that's the most important thing. The important thing is to have a good time... ah! And don't forget to take beautiful photos to remember.    

Now tell me, do you have children?, are they as intense as my granddaughter in remembering the days to celebrate? Do you celebrate their birthdays?

Thanks for your comments, I'll be happy to respond.

Pictures from unsplash.com