[blparent] Planning a Birthday Party

Wed Jan 16 17:54:04 UTC 2013

I really don't think I'm going to end up getting to know the parents of most 
of my daughter's friends, at least if the past is any indication.  It's not 
that I don't want to, but when I've been at her school parties and the like, 
I've just found it incredibly hard to approach them and talk to them.  I'm 
the strange mom who's on the floor with the kids playing blocks while all 
the other parents stand around by the teacher.  I've tried to sit out with 
the neighbors and strike up conversations.  Maybe I'm just not particularly 
good at it, but I've always felt on the outside.  And I've truly gone out of 
my way, going to a Mommy and Me group and then trying an online forum when 
that didn't work out, where the point was to meet other moms and set up play 
dates for your kids.  I had one play date that way, the kids had a great 
time, the mom offered to take me and Sarah out to her house so Sarah could 
ride a real pony, and then after she left, she never returned my phone 
calls.  So I've gotten to where I can deal with it all on a casual level at 
the school or in a park, but I feel anxious about opening my home.

Jo Elizabeth

Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may 
kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at 
evening.--Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
-----Original Message----- 
From: Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 6:56 AM
To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] Planning a Birthday Party

Sounds like there are two issues. One is having strangers (which isn't the 
term I'd use for Sarah's friends and their families) in your home, and the 
second is logistical.
If you don't want people in your home there are plenty of places that host 
parties. You pay them, and sometimes they provide the food and cake, 
sometimes you do.
Most kids will just want to run around and play in a pack so if you have it 
at your house, let them do that. Or if you want games, have Sarah help with 
that.
As for serving food, you can always serve it buffett style.

To me though, the bigger issue is why you regard the families of your 
daughter's friends as "strangers".  Everybody you haven't met yet is a 
stranger, yet you interact with them everyday. Some you become friends with, 
some you date, some you only see some of the time. You let down your walls 
all the time to have the relationships that matter to you. You need to 
decide that these parents are people you want to get to know, or you need to 
decide they are not.  Either way, that doesn't mean they have to be in your 
home.

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jeri Milton
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 8:04 PM
To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] Planning a Birthday Party

Hi Jo Elizabeth.
Do you mean what do you need to know about planning a birthday party,
general questions or how do you plan it as a blind mom?

We've had several of the kids parties here at the house. I love to plan
them. Let me know what you mean and I'll help you.

Jeri

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jo
Elizabeth Pinto
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 2:51 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: [blparent] Planning a Birthday Party

Okay, so as a blind mom, I feel really self-conscious about having a bunch
of kids and their parents in my home.  But my daughter wants a birthday
party for some of her preschool friends, not just the one at church that we
usually have for her.  So where do I start?  What do I need to know?

Sorry if this is a stupid question.

Jo Elizabeth

Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may
kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at
evening.--Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
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