Susiej

Do you remember those awful Easter Egg Hunts when you were a kid? I remember going out in the cold, and it was usually raining, and very dreary. I spotted an egg – and just before my hand touched it, someone else swiped it away. I was lucky to have one egg by the time it was over – and that was an egg my Dad managed to find for me.

My kids have avoided all of that, because I’ve always hosted our own private Easter Egg Hunt Party. I invite just a few of my boy’s friends and their parents. We hide the eggs, and they go crazy – everyone has a full basket of eggs. It is a charming, springtime party, and we always serve Champagne punch.

For the first time in 10 years, I am not holding this party. It’s too cold, and I’m too tired. However, I’m feeling very guilty about my decision. When my two smallest children look through the family album, years down the road, they will concur “Mom stopped doing all the fun stuff when we came along.” Because, that’s how it will look.

Anything would be a great improvement over last year – the little ones were crying, frustrated, and overwhelmed. I was busy, busy, taking care of the guests. How silly to put myself, and my children, in that position again. Sounds a lot like the very same Easter Egg Hunt from my childhood.

But why do I feel as if I should just go ahead and throw the party? I already bought the ham, and all it would take is a few phone calls, and everyone would show up, and bring food and eggs.

When I started my Easter Egg Hunt party tradition, I had one child. There were 3 of us. Today, there are six. All of us have very demanding, different, unique needs. Meeting these needs, is something I do not accomplish everyday. And, I must try harder tomorrow. This is a thought circle that is wearing me out, and I truly am feeling pulled in too many directions.

This year, I might feel better if I look at what my children really need from an Easter Egg Hunt. My oldest boys don’t really care to hunt for eggs. The thrill is over. My little ones are still discovering it for themselves. So, maybe I’ll put the oldest ones in charge of getting the eggs ready for the little ones, hiding the eggs, and teaching them how to find them.

Will it be exciting enough to be in a hunt only with one other person? Maybe it won’t be any fun. Maybe it will. If I were a wise sage, I would tell me this:

Just because you’re giving up your party does not mean that your kids will automatically have a better time than last year. And building the day around their needs does not mean you’ll hit the mark and successfully give them the best Easter Egg Hunt ever.

So, maybe I should, just throw the party anyway. But no, the wise sage would then say this:

The difference will be in your perspective. How much of you will be available to your children if you are not being pulled by so many other demands of the day?

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