When we think about kids’ birthday parties and holiday celebrations, it’s usually the smiling faces we remember. After all, photos are almost always taken when everyone is laughing or singing.
But most parents will tell you kids’ parties aren’t void of frowns and tears. In fact, many kids break down at one point during a party, either due to a crescendo of emotions or pure exhaustion.
Parents often face behavior issues at parties, too. What about the times when a birthday kid misbehaves and has to be—heaven forbid!—reprimanded at her own party? And how should a party host handle a guest who cuts in line or hits another child?
The following scenarios are more common than you think, so we asked some experts in child psychology and parenting for advice on how to handle—and better yet, prevent—these kids’ party dilemmas.
1. How to Help a Shy Child Enjoy His or Her Birthday Party
Very shy children sometimes have a hard time participating in other kids' parties, let alone hosting their own. Here are some tips on helping kids feel less nervous so they can enjoy their special days.
2. What to Do When the Birthday Kid Misbehaves
Sometimes a birthday boy or girl feels like they can do whatever they please because, well, it's their birthday! Here's some advice on how to rein in a birthday kid before feelings get hurt.
3. What to Do When a Guest Misbehaves at a Party
Scenario: Another parent just dropped off a child at your son or daughter's birthday party. Within minutes, the guest starts breaking your family's rules, maybe by playing too roughly or calling other kids names. Click the link for tips on how to handle this common kid-party dilemma.
4. How to Calm the Frenzy When It's Time to Open Gifts
The opening of gifts is probably the peak party moment for most birthday kids. What can parents do to avoid a chaotic situation, where guests start clawing open the presents and the birthday kid breaks down into tears?
5. Preventing or Coping With Kid-Party Meltdowns
It starts with a lip quiver. Then the eyes pool up with tears. Before you know it, your birthday kid is in a full-blown party meltdown. Why does this happen? How can it be avoided? Get the answers from experts in child psychology here.
6. Christmas Morning Emotional Crash
After the frenzy of Christmas morning, do your kids go through a mini depression? Is it disappointment in what they received? Or are they just bummed that the fun is coming to an end? Here are some reasons for the Christmas morning crash and how to work through it.