I was listening to a podcast the other day and the women were talking about how they celebrate their birthdays and how their plans look different since becoming mothers. I thought this was an interesting topic and I completely agreed with everything they were saying. I feel like it’s something that’s relatable, not just to mothers but when getting older in general.

I LOVE celebrating birthdays and there’s nothing I love more than having an excuse to plan a little get together, party, brunch, etc. BUT since becoming a mother, I have to admit, doing anything for myself has become less and less interesting. And maybe I shouldn’t feel that way? I don’t know, I make a big point of keeping my own identity and not letting motherhood be my only thing/sole identity, so maybe I’m contradicting myself a little bit here. But I just am not interested in inviting people out to celebrate me? Over the past 3-4 years, rather than plan anything with a lot of people, I’ve planned little road trips and family getaways to celebrate my birthday. Last year we did a trip up to Monterey Bay, before that, we went to Lake Tahoe, and then occasionally we’ll book a Disney hotel for a little staycation instead of a longer trip. And I’ve had so much more fun just doing that.

And also, to be honest, planning my kids’ birthdays has kind of become my own “birthday” present (no pun intended). Like instead of ask for gifts or my husband getting me a gift (he usually still does lol), all I ask for is the ability to throw my kids parties without restriction coming from the peanut gallery (iykyk).

Last year, I also threw a SUMMERWEEN party which was so fun for me to plan and it did land like right around my birthday (it’s in June), but that sort of party was more fun to me because we got all our family friends around and had the little inflatable pool out for the kids, a little bbq, like no pressure at all and certainly no one singing Happy Birthday to me.

So I don’t know, do you have any thoughts on the matter? I do think birthdays should ALWAYS be celebrated in some form, so I’ll never skip a birthday FOR DAMN SURE. But a little cupcake and my favorite 3 people in the world surrounding me is really all I need from here on out 🙂

How do you celebrate your birthday? Has it changed over time? I’d love to hear in the comments here or over on my IG: @withamandafranco where the discussion is also happening!