Ringing in the New Year with Your Children

By Jody Smith HERWriter

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want to ring in the New Year with your children?

Lev Dolgachov/PhotoSpin

New Year's Eve may be an event that causes mixed feelings for some parents. The years when you used to dress up and go to a party without a care in the world may be long past.

If you're inclined to get a babysitter for the little ones, you can still kick up your heels in the old way with your friends. But if you're like I was when my kids were small, you may not want to leave them, and choose instead to ring in the New Year with the little folks you love most.

Actually, there are a few options for parents who want to spend the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year with their children.

The simplest solution would be to stay in the cozy nest with a movie, popcorn and soft pyjamas. The braver ones among you can make the party merrier by arranging for some of their little buddies to sleep over.

Kids who opt to dress up instead of wearing jammies might delight in being able to wear their best dresses or their favorite sports gear.

The menu can be a snap if you order a pizza, always a favorite with the kids. Or make mini-pizzas with English muffins, cheese and a little ham or bacon. If you are adventurous and energetic, let the kids pitch in and make a cake or cupcakes for the occasion.

Chips of all kinds go over well. If you're worried about plying your kids with junk food, adding some cut up vegetables or fruit will ease your guilt.

A plate with cooked vegetables often get thumbs down from children but for some reason the raw stuff that can be picked up and dunked in Ranch dressing, salsa or guacamole disappears quickly.

Apple or orange juice in plastic champagne glasses can feel ritzy and grown up, making the perfect item to toast the New Year. Kids will enjoy party hats and noise-makers, and any excuse to make a racket.

Want some music for your little party-makers? It's a snap, with CDs, or if you have a karaoke machine, they can make their own music -- or noise that will pass for music. Sort of.

Too loud for too long? Plug in a movie or two, and the kids will be not only quiet (somewhat) and happy.

The younger ones may not last till midnight -- and you may not want them to. But that doesn't have to detract from the festivities. And once their evening is done and they're tucked in for the night, you and your partner can continue the more grownup celebration knowing that the children are safely in their beds.

Many years ago, my husband and I had become the proud but exhausted parents of twin girls a month before New Year's Eve. Our celebration consisted of my nursing two babies while my husband fed me crackers with oysters while we watched a New Year's Eve program on TV.

Once they were both finally down for the night, and our three-year-old son was asleep, we sat in our living room, enjoying the rare peace and quiet. We didn't manage to stay up to watch the ball drop.

By 10 p.m. we decided that the smart thing to do was go to bed and get some sleep while we could. By midnight we were sawing logs. That year, it was the perfect way to celebrate.

Sources:

Have Fun Celebrating With the Kids. SheKnows.com/Parenting. Retrieved Dec. 26, 2013.
http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/851051/new-years-eve-party-fo...

Countdown with Your Kids. SheKnows.com/Parenting. Retrieved Dec. 26, 2013.
http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/807154/kidfriendly-new-years-...

Visit Jody's website at http://www.ncubator.ca

Reviewed December 27, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.