Birthdays???

[tymaboy]

I usually dont do much. For their 1st bday I get them a crown. I try to get a crown for all Bdays but there are times I am unable to get 1. I always pick up a small gift for them. I will make a lunch that I know the child likes but I normally do not do cake.

[Rachel]

Each child draws a picture for the birthday child (including the birthday child) and I put them together in a book. I make a cover with their age on the front.

We make a cake together. Birthday child gets to choose what is for lunch (from my regular menu, can't choose sushi takeout or something)

Little party with the cake, baloons, etc

[DCMom]

I love birthdays

I get them birthday balloons that announce the birthday to everyone at daycare, they get to wear the special birthday crown (I have a 'boy' and 'girl' one, they get to choose), cupcakes of their flavor choice, we play a party game of their choice (usually musical chairs, they love that one), a birthday photo with the crown and a hard cover book autographed by me, .

We have such fun as a group doing it and the kids feel so special~they talk about their 'birthday party' for weeks after I don't care if their parents appreciate it or not (though mine do) I do it for me and for the birthday girl/boy.

[gkids09]

Most of our dcp ask if they can bring cupcakes or cookies for their child's bday, so we let them, and have it for morning snack. I usually get a present for the child, and never go above $20. The kids are always so excited to get their present. I ask that none of the other children bring presents for the birthday boy/girl, just because some may decide to bring them for their best friend of the day, and the next kid may not get any
As for crowns, we buy birthday bulletin board border, make it the size of the kids head, staple it together, and there it is...It's always around, and it takes FOREVER to run out!

[Abigail]

Does anyone have a picture of the "Birthday Box"? I LOVE this idea, how easy to store it too! How many books do you have available for a child to choose which book they want and do you sign the inside cover or just put a book mark inside it as the card??? Thanks!

I like the idea of not sending treats to daycare with their children because it would be fun to make cookies or rice crispy bars for a birthday as a team.

[momma2girls]

I used to get the kids a present, but stopped. Parents don't appreciate it.
I do make cupcakes which everyone helps. Spinkles on top. For the afternoon snack we have the cupcakes, since Happy Birthday. I do have the kids make a card for the b-day kid and sometimes draw a picture or make a bookmark.

I am totally with you here!! I used to do such great things on birthdays and Christmas, not anymore. This is so sad!! For the past 3 yrs. all the daycare children- only 2 or 3 families thanked me for the presents, all the rest of them- not even a card or nothing!!! Last yr. I spent $10.00 on each present for xmas, and only 1 family said thanks and purchased something for me!!! THe others didn't even care- I don't know what this world is coming to- nowadays hardly any respect or appreciation for anything you do!!!!

[momma2girls]

We each make our own cards, for the birthday child. I make cupcakes, or cake for them, and give them each a birthday hat and we sing Happy Birthday to them.

[caitlin]

For birthdays I get the child a book and write a special message inside. I normally get "Oh, The Places You'll Go" for the first birthday a child has with me, "The Giving Tree" is another one I like to give as a gift. We sing Happy Birthday over and over and over, I do birthday pancakes for breakfast and then we have a special snack (popsicles, smores in the microwave, sherburt, etc depending on the time of year). I try to stay away from the cake because it is a mess. My kids start leaving right as snack is ending so I don't want parents to walk in to see their child covered in icing and my kitchen looking the same.

[QualiTcare]

Who cares if the parents don't appreciate it, aren't you doing it for the child? Afterall, it's the childs birthday, NOT the parents. I do things to make the CHILDS day special and make them happy, I could care less what the parents think, it's not about them.

i agree. it is NICE to know that parents appreciate what you do, but the kids DO know and they WILL remember. i couldn't care less about my own birthday, but when i was a kid - i realized who got me a gift and who didn't and it made a difference to me. i know it shouldn't now that i'm an adult, but as a kid, i wanted a present and i realized that the people who cared about me got me one. anyhow, i bet the parents do appreciate it even if they don't know how to show it.