Survival of the Birthdays

But it’s not like I didn’t consider it.

Whoever thought that celebrating kids’ birthdays (me) was a good thing, should have been at the Hergenrader house yesterday.

Is it just my children, or does the idea of “Today’s your birthday! Special privileges for you today!” turn other kids into ill-behaved, insecure maniacs?

Ellie embraced the idea that her birthday meant she was princess for a day. Our normally even-keel girl was suddenly bossy, whiny, and angry.

And Sam? Oh my. The boy likes his rules and structure. He had no coping skills with the concept it was his day and the usual rules may not apply. He needed to test every boundary.

By afternoon, after more crying jags and screaming than I could handle, I declared we weren’t celebrating any more birthday until Daddy got home.

At which point, I changed my strategy to what I should have started at 6 AM. I decided not to mention their birthday, but I gave them a little extra freedom. We decided to go to a restaurant about a mile away. When they asked to ride their bikes, I said “Sure!”

They were so distracted by that news, they forgot to question the change from routine.

And after a dinner of not putting any birthday pressure on them, we stumbled upon the best part of our day.

A band was playing outside the restaurant. Instead of insisting to the kids, “COME ON! WE HAVE TO GET HOME!” M and I let them dance for awhile.

Before we left, I asked the sweet musicians to play “Happy Birthday” for Sam and Ellie. They not only obliged, but they also added, “You Say It’s Your Birthday! It’s My Birthday, Too!” Sam and Ellie rocked out to the perfect birthday song for twins.

We watched them with huge grins on our faces, knowing these two would probably hear that song a lot in the coming years.

And I realized that spontaneous moments are the only way to celebrate.

I’ll remember that for the next Hergenrader birthday.

Which is M’s.

Today.

I wonder if 37 is old enough for the pressure of a birthday?