Unfortunate Timing

For the past three years we have been at Disney on or around the kids' birthdays (both in March) and celebrated there. I know, I know - the poor things. They haven't been able to have a real birthday party with their friends in years. They are really deprived.

But this year is different! This year we have no March trips planned, and I told the kids they could each have whatever kind of birthday party they wanted this year. Little Son didn't want much - no friends from school or anything, just dinner and go-karting with the D Family. Unfortunately, it got COLD for his birthday, and I was NOT going to drive a go-kart around a track with freezing wind whipping in my face - a sure recipe for snotcicles. So he decided on laser tag instead, which the kiddos fully enjoyed after a delicious dinner at the best hamburger place in the world - Tookie's (another place I would definitely take a tourist around here!).

Now it is Daughter's turn, and she decided on a pedicure party at the local nail salon - fun music, food, and fancy pedicures for everyone! She invited six girls. But this week is Spring Break AND her birthday is the day before Easter this year, so other than Lamb, no one can come. Daughter is crushed. I've tried comforting her by telling her that it's NOT her, that it's just the time of year; I've told her I'd buy her whatever she wants, even a pony; I've hugged her and wiped away the tears and told her we can do anything else she wants. But to a 14-year-old girl, no one coming to your birthday party is pretty crushing. It is so hard to stand by and see your baby hurt. I can't fix this. She will still have her family party this weekend, and we'll make it wonderful for her, but once again she has missed out on a party with friends (the next few weekends are no-go's for rescheduling, too).

These are the times when parenting gets hard. The times your heart breaks right along with theirs. I look back at my own life and the times I was hurting and only now realize how Bubba's Mom must have felt for me. But I survived, and I learned, and so will Daughter. I just wish I could make her feel better NOW.