Help with daughter's birthday party...

[hopingforthebest]

Hey ladies! I posted rarely on the nest, and found out everyone moved. So...yay for that!

I am struggling big time with what to do for my 5 yo daughter's bday party this year. The ex-h and I have been divorced a year now, and last years bday was HORRIBLE (both of the kiddos bdays actually ), it was the first thing we had to face as divorced parents. I want this year's to be special, but I am having trouble so I am hoping you ladies have some advice. Backstory - we tried the joint thing last year, and I vowed to never do it again. His entire family lives here, and mine live across the country, so it was me, 1 of my friends, and his entire family. Way too uncomfortable, but I did it for my daughter (and my son a couple of months later). This year, we are doing separate celebrations. He will do a family affair, and I was going to invite her friends. Unfortunately, with the timing, almost all of our friends with kids are going to be out of town for vacations the one weekend I can have the party. So - should I just go with having a very small party, do something different, take the kids to a theme park? I want her to have a party, but don't want no one to come

Thoughts? I am so sad by this....I hate that my family lives so far away and can't come out for it this year. I am having a really tough time with this one this year...

[dakotadangerdog]

I know how that goes, my birthday is right next to labor day weekend so my friends were ALWAYS out of town camping or something for the weekend of my birthday party.

I would take her to a theme park or zoo or whatever she would like.

[chrissie3416]

Maybe just a special day with just you and her and then maybe a small party with her friends a few weeks later when they can all make it....

[marigoldgirl]

Maybe now is the time to start a new Birthday tradition with your kids.

[doriswe]

My DD's birthday is close to Labor Day, so we always do dinner out (of her choosing) on her birthday and she can do something with friends after school starts (which helps since people are more available). She also gets a big family party at her dad's.

[roselis]

My birthday is usually right next to memorial day so I have a similar issue.
I agree with the PPs on maybe taking her somewhere of her choosing and let her invite a friend?

[hopingforthebest]

Thanks ladies! Great suggestions!!