So here I am, once again, totally mortified! I seem to be on a roll this week! You see, I’m THAT mom…
Yup, the mom that at the last minute sends an apology that we can’t make a birthday party… CRINGE!
We all know how much effort goes into planning a party for our kids. The slaving away thinking of party ideas only for our little dear to change their mind every 2 seconds! Not to mention the hours spent designing an invite wanting to throw the computer against the wall. Then there’s the entertainment, BIRTHDAY CAKE (let’s not go there), and party favors… And of course the cost!
By the end of it all, you feel like you need a vacation.
Birthday parties are stressful enough, then you get a mom (ME) that at the LAST minute sends an apology… Annoyed much? Not to mention I’m THE NEW MOM in school.
Here I was, thinking I was somewhat organized. But then the kids started fighting, the gardener arrived and needed instructions, and groceries had to be picked up. Oh, and the new puppy.
I could hear the angel on my shoulder: “Look at the calendar Jacqui, you’ve missed something!?!?”
Wait, gotta run, little man just had an explosion in his nappy and needs to be bathed. The toddler is screaming because her sister stole her toy, and clearly needs to nap. Because NOTHING will calm her down. Don’t forget to hang up the laundry – because yesterday I managed to drop and break a bottle of cooking oil all over it.
PING, PING, FREAKING PING…. The washing machine chimes in the background
“Look at the calendar Jacqui, you’ve missed something!?!?” Back off shoulder-angel, mommy’s on a roll.
Running around cleaning rooms, preparing for guests. Packing away said groceries… Wait, I need to pee. Another minute lost. The clock is ticking.
And there it is…Â SHIT! (Excuse the French. I’m not even sure if it is French, but I don’t have time to get into that now right now.) The party starts in 5 minutes. (Insert crying emoji)
I knew there was a reason I called my blog One Messy Mama, but I’m rethinking that, maybe it should be Parenting Fails 101?
I seem to be having a lot of them lately.
P.S. – the Birthday present for the gorgeous little girl whose party we missed will be hand-delivered by a blushing mom come Monday morning.
Would you like to share any of your parenting fails? It might just make me feel a little better :)
Oh no! It sounds like you’re having a rough time and you need to cut yourself some slack! You have FIVE kids, I’m sure anyone who has even one will recognize that there are only so many balls you can be expected to juggle before something slips. A missed birthday party is a small thing in the grand scheme of things. Don’t stress so much. Xxx
You need a blogger cafe break!! ?
Definitely a blogger cafe break :)
We all have THOSE days (or weeks). And you, my lovely, have FIVE kids, so in my opinion you are already rocking! I have those days with just one?
Aah! You are too sweet! Thank you! x
Been there! And I’m one to usually criticize those moms – but I know how easily it happens. Don’t beat yourself up! We all know how busy life gets, I’m sure you’ll be forgiven.
(I’m sharing your post on FB tomorrow on my page. Ay daughter is having a party tomorrow and I had to track down EACH parent to get a reply – no one RSVPed!)
~Jess
I hope you managed to get those RSVP’s!!! And that the party was a success! x
At my daughters party last month we had a family turn up who weren’t invited and turns out they were a day early for the party the next day! The mum asked if she could stay anyway so as not to disappoint her child and gave us the present! It was so odd! Don’t worry we’ve all been there, I always forget stuff for school, like when they have to take money in for the cake sale! Oops! #globalblogging
All I can say it happens to the best of us – don’t beat yourself up about it. I know it can be frustrating for those on the receiving end when people don’t RSVP but some people have valid reasons and forget. That’s why I always just send reminders to find out if kids are coming or not and will get those replies that they completely forgot. Life happens #globalblogging
Been there too! And I only have 2 kids! You are a great mom, nonetheless.
#globalblogging
I’m yet to forget something for Ben, but we did have to miss a birthday party in January after I fell on my bump running for the bus. I was gutted for him and for a friend who went to so much effort for her daughters party. We only just gave her the present two weeks ago as they live so far away aswell!
I think as a mum there is so much going on it is hard to keep on top of EVERYTHING. We’re not stepford wives and our mistakes make us more loveable! #globalblogging
The consolation is that your awesome present will be much more appreciated as she will receive it solo, and not in the midst of party chaos!
We’ve all forgotten things . . .my most recent was an orthodontist appointment.
Opps! It was all ok in the end though… wasn’t it? *Hopes it was. Kiddies birthday parties can be so stressful right? And as a new mum you want to make a fab impression, but time obviously wasn’t on your side that day. We all have bloopers like these ;-) #Globalblogging
Yup, who are we to judge another mom? Stuff happens! I’ve been on both sides and both sides are equally tiring.
Hope she liked her gift. :)
I don’t know if this will ease your mind a little or not but in my area, I am lucky if I get one RSVP. Most parents don’t even respond to invites. You don’t know who is coming until they either show up or don’t show up at your kid’s party. I just went through that with my teenager’s 16th party in November. No one responded and only one kid showed up. Very distressing but for my younger boy this is very common for all of the parents. I think it’s because we are so busy that we forget to RSVP or we just forget to go to the party all together. #GlobalBlogging
It seems like we have so much to remember that a party just adds more stress!!!
I always say with 4 kids and my own days and week to organise there’s only so much my brain can retain before something has to give . Don’t be hard on yourself!! #globalblogging
As mothers we should have 2 brains. Just enough to keep all the information locked in :)
We all have days when it all goes wrong…not entirely sure that constitutes a fail…#GlobalBlogging
Well… I think at that particular moment when I was having one of those days where I felt like I couldn’t get anything right, for me it felt like I had failed. I let my son down, and that didn’t feel good!
So far, I have not been that mama yet where I have to apologize coz I missed a birthday party (maybe we just don’t get many invites, :-s) but I can very well relate to the scenario you just shared. It is a constant thing one after another and then when you thought you will finally get to sit down… nope! Something else sneaks up for your attention already waiting in line. #globalblogging
I know right!!! Especially those extra-murals rosters! Gosh, they get me!
Gosh don’t be too hard on yourself – we can all be forgetful sometimes and allow other things to take priority!! Your a mama doing a great job! #Globalblogging
Thanks love! x
I honestly think this happens to everyone! Don’t beat yourself up, a simple apology with the gift and all should be forgiven. #GlobalBlogging
Yes! There was definitely a gift :)
Never mind, it sounds like you had a LOT on your plate! Missing a party is only a minor fail, there are much worse things! #globalblogging
Absolutely! It’s just that at that moment you think to yourself, how could I forget?