CONGRATULATIONS!
YOUR LITTLE ANGEL IS TURNING ONE!
FAMILY, FRIENDS N FACEBOOK MUST BE POURING SUGGESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO MAKE IT A BIG, MEMORABLE DAY.
Completing the very first year of life on Mother Earth outside the Mother’s body is a landmark for the baby as well as the whole family. Many children are not able to succeed in doing this. And, even if we know that the “Fittest” will only survive in the long run, we may still take a little credit of helping the child to achieve this landmark. So it is natural for all parents with one year olds to think about a big Birthday Bash for the child. They may want to dance, sing aloud and party hard and tell the world about their great achievement.
For some others, it may be just another day of getting the baby ready and rushing to work before dropping the baby at the crèche. The reason for their normal behaviour might be the due to the fact that in the greater part of his/her life, the child may not even remember this day. Very true, the child may not remember but deep down, the child’s subconscious will definitely register the lack of occasions for celebrations at home. Although it is a proven fact that children do not remember anything that happens till they are 05 years or so, their brains get trained to follow a pattern of behaviour which can only happen with habits instilled in early childhood. So here are some ideas about how you can decide to celebrate your Big Day.
HERE ARE A FEW MORE IDEAS FOR YOU TO CONFUSE/ DECIDE HOW TO CELEBRATE THE BIG DAY.
1. A Big Birthday Bash. You can plan a big birthday bash with all your close relatives, friends and colleagues at home/ at a hotel at Sector 17/35 or Fun Zone at Elante. To spice it up, you can plan the following activities to engage your guests:
Presentation: A visual presentation about how everyone felt about the baby clubbed with photos of the baby in various poses: sleeping, bathing, crawling, crying, and playing and so on. Remember: No photos on the potty seat/ completely nude ones please as the child may sue you for making his/her unpleasant things/photos public once s/he grows up!
Games: For mothers: piggy back races with babies in arms,
For fathers: dressing up dolls/teddy bears with diapers n clothes,
For kids: statue dancing, balloon dancing with siblings/parents.
For kids: statue dancing, balloon dancing with siblings/parents.
Lucky draws: for grandparents based on funny questions they answer about their childhood. Like: did you get punished for not doing homework anytime? Did you trade your parantha with Maggi with your friends? Did you wet your bed? Were you sent outside classroom because you punched your class mate?
In the end treat them all with a healthy food platter which has more of finger food for the kids and a mix of many platters for the elders.
2. A Date with special children. At the age of one the child hardly remembers what he/she does but the subconscious mind has already started to make impressions. Why not grab the opportunity to teach the child the joys of sharing and being compassionate. Book a date with the special children at Aashadeep (Institute for Intellectually challenged children, Sector 31/C, Chandīgarh), Snehalaya (Home for destitute children, Chandigarh). 
Alternatively, you can also plan a religious pooja/ paath followed by Langar for friends and family. It’s very refreshing to see the child enjoy each other’s’ company. Snehalaya offers various packages of donations and gifts that you can give and distribute yourself to the inmates. Plan it well in advance because they have many regular generous donors in the city.
3. Baby’s Day Out. Plan a city tour with the baby and his/her best pals and grandparents.Take the Hop On- Hop Off bus from Sector 17 and you can cover those important tourist places of the city which the children will enjoy. Enjoy the roses at the Rose Garden, the swings at the Rock Garden and the Boat ride at the Sukhna Lake. You can skip the Art Museum and the War Memorial, if you want.
In the end, you can arrange a picnic for the baby at the Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake or the Pinjore Garden. The relaxed pace of the tour will let the young ones as the older lot to enjoy the moments peacefully without rushing through the day. If the weather permits, you can also plan a day at the Chatbir Zoo or the Japanese Park.
4. A day in Mother Nature’s lap. At one, the child needs a lot of attention and timely food and rest.Sometimes big events, fancy dresses and lots of people around makes the child become cranky. Also, there is a chance of the child being left alone, unattended and can bump into wrong spots/food. Instead of wasting a lot of time on decorations, food and make-up for the bash, choose to get rejuvenated in Mother Nature’s lap. Both of you need a break as the last few months have been really hectic.
Plan to go on a trip with your close family friends. Take an aimless stroll down the road. Climb some trees
and pluck some fruits. Breathe in the fresh air.
Make reservations at a quiet Eco-Club at Morni Hills/
Kasauli / Badog for the weekend near the birthday.
Live in tents.
Take a dip in the swimming pool.
Go on a Nature Trail and let the baby try to catch the butterflies. Run behind the ducks and try catching hold of a chicken. Do play some adventurous team games and get nostalgic looking at the baby’s photo album beside the camp fire.
FINALLY WHATEVER YOU DECIDE, BE SURE THE BABY ENJOYS IT.
AND, DON’T FORGET TO MAKE YOUR MEMORIES FOR THE DAY MEMORABLE WITH A NICE PHOTO SHOOT.
Enjoy and celebrate your landmark in Parenting!
