quiltnchik

My DD24 is a full-time college student (she's going to be an RN) and has a beautiful 10-month-old baby girl. The baby's father is in the picture and works full-time, but they're still struggling (she and the baby live with me so that I can babysit while she's in college, and the baby's father lives with his parents).

My DD is stressing over my DGD's 1st b-day party (December 15th) and is wondering where she should have it. She doesn't want to have it at my house because we live an hour or more away from all her friends (who's children my DGD absolutely loves), and she doesn't want to have it at her boyfriend's parents house because, to be quite honest, his mother and sisters were beyond RUDE last year at her baby shower, which was held at his parent's home. She's checked with a few places (McDonald's, Chucky Cheese, etc.), but they're all out of their price range and, if they have each parent pay for their own child, some of her friends won't be able to afford to bring their children.

She's stressing b-day presents, and also wanting to be able to give my DGD a few things for Christmas as well. My DGD isn't hurting for anything, but I understand my DD's dilemma and remember feeling the same way when she and her siblings were small and we didn't have money to ensure they had a decent Christmas. She was told she would never have kids without "help," so this baby is her everything and, like any parent, she wants to do the best by her. She knows we won't let my DGD go without, but how do I make her feel better in the meantime, since us buying something is not the same as her feeling that she is able to do well by her own child.

Any suggestions and/or ideas?

Thanks!

sharon b

Where do you live ? if it is down south maybe an outside park party ? If up north do yo know anyone with a community center or hall they can use ?

I also understand how she feels and it is natural to want to give the child everything and how hard it can be-- can she make her anything ? I know time is at a premium for her right now - but even if she got her , her first baby doll and maybe made a quilt for the doll ? then as she gets more time she can make a quilt for your DGD to match the doll quilt

QUILT4JOY

Check out other public facilities. Michael's Arts & Crafts here in Tucson has a room that they advertise can be used. Probably for older kids so they can do an art project while partying. But something else like that. Community spaces? Churches? When you find someplace that you like. Offer to pay for it as part of your birthday present to her. Also what about having it at one of the houses of friends that would be coming to the party? Good Luck. The perfect solution is waiting for you to stumble across it :lol: :lol:

Quiltforme

Is there anyway one of the friends might be willing to let you use their home? I was a single mom and my oldest bday is 7 days after Christmas this was the hardest time because you want both days to be special and i felt so guilty her dad was not in the picture. When buying gifts I over did it most of the time. Mine preferred the boxes then the gift. I have seen some amazing doll blankets and dolls made on here can she sew? The little one will see pictures and see that her parents were there and all of the loved ones that is all that matters. What does she enjoy the most? Does she like to play with the kitchen stuff? watch dvd's Art stands are fun the ones that stand at an A and have both paint/chalkboards. Maybe get the art stand for bday and some accessories for Christmas? Just some ideas

carolaug

At age one your grandchild will be happy anywhere....no need to stress or pay lots of money. I remember many, many years ago very little money when my son was one and two...we bought two small toys for christmas, Spent less than 20.00...He was happy...and so were we...

quiltnchik

I agree and have tried to reiterate to my DD, but she's determined she wants to do "right" by her daughter. I asked her if the Christmas she and her brother and sister's names were put on the Angel Tree at my college affected her now, and she said she really didn't even remember it. I hope I made my point, but you know how much pressure is put on young adults these days...

purplemem

I think making a doll and dolly quilt would be great 1 year bd presents.