In the midst of a nationwide lockdown due to the pandemic, my 14-year-old son, Jake, faced the unfortunate reality of not being able to have a traditional birthday celebration. Strangely enough, he didn’t even ask for one, only expressing a desire for brownies—“If you can find eggs,” he added with a hint of resignation. Having checked the grocery store several times with no luck, his comment felt like a dagger to my heart.
Like countless children around the globe, Jake and his siblings have shown remarkable adaptability during these unprecedented times. Kids are naturally resilient, often able to adjust to new norms with a level of optimism that many adults struggle to maintain. With friends who are immunocompromised, our family had already been discussing the importance of safety and social distancing long before schools and businesses shut down.
Jake even took the initiative to research information about the coronavirus on his own. Unbeknownst to him, I was gathering details to write articles about it, but he eagerly sent me links detailing the virus’s origins and how it spreads. Throughout this whole ordeal, he accepted the cancellation of his eighth-grade science trip to the Florida Keys with hardly any complaints. It became apparent last week that he wouldn’t get to finish the school year with his friends, most of whom are heading to different high schools.
His quiet acceptance of a low-key birthday celebration, amidst all the other disappointments, truly broke my heart. Thankfully, we’re all in good health and have managed to stay connected, but knowing that my son wouldn’t have a birthday celebration—and that he wasn’t complaining about it—was difficult for me to bear. Sure, I could whip up a batch of brownies or get him a gift card for his favorite online game, but I wanted to do something more meaningful. I wanted him to feel valued and celebrated by his friends and family.
About a week before his birthday, my sister sent me a video of a birthday parade she had seen—a line of cars driving past a house, music blaring, people waving signs, and shouting greetings. It was the perfect idea! While I didn’t know enough locals to create a massive parade like the one in the video, I was confident we could gather a few friends and family to drive by and make Jake feel special.
To maintain the surprise, I created a private event on social media and invited local friends and family to join the parade. I included some photos of Jake and asked everyone to drive by within a specific half-hour window and make some noise.
When the time arrived, I lured Jake outside by suggesting we play hopscotch—an old childhood game that has surprisingly entertained us during lockdown. As the first car approached, Jake assumed it was just a friendly visit from his pals. It wasn’t until the second car went by, creating a similar commotion, that he started to suspect something was up. The third car, filled with our cousins honking and shouting “Happy Birthday!”, finally confirmed that we had organized something special just for him.
His reaction was beyond what I could have hoped for. He kept expressing disbelief that he “got a parade” for his birthday, declaring it to be “the best birthday ever.” Our impromptu celebration turned out to be a massive success.
So, if you find yourself in a similar situation where your child’s birthday falls during a lockdown, consider throwing your own birthday parade! We only had eight cars pass by, far less than the grand spectacle in my sister’s video, yet it still made a significant impact on Jake. He felt cherished and remembered.
If a parade isn’t feasible, think about hosting a virtual party on Zoom or Google Hangouts, or enjoy a movie together using Netflix Party. Even amidst the challenges we’ve faced, there are still ways to create memorable experiences. After all, how many kids can say, “Hey, remember when my friends threw me a birthday parade during the pandemic?” I have no doubt that Jake’s 14th birthday will remain etched in his memory for years to come.
For more ideas on celebrating special moments during challenging times, check out this post on Home Insemination Kit and visit Make A Mom for expert advice on family planning. Additionally, March of Dimes provides excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination insights.
In summary, even during difficult times, creative celebrations can make a lasting difference in your child’s life. A birthday parade, though simple, can bring joy and a sense of belonging.
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