How are you going to celebrate your birthday this year? As a busy mum, you might just consider it a victory if you can get through the day without anyone throwing a temper tantrum, but I’m here to beg you not to sell yourself short. 

Yes, it’s different now than it was before kids, but that doesn’t mean you can’t – or shouldn’t – celebrate. If you can’t find enough time for a big gathering with all the bells and whistles, here are some mum-guilt-free ideas for giving yourself the celebration you deserve this year.

1. Plan a series of smaller celebrations

Those big birthday blowout weekends at a hotel with a big group of friends might be firmly in the past for now, but you could plan a series of smaller celebrations instead. For example, maybe you’ll have a coffee or ice cream birthday celebration with the kids and then have a date night at home that evening after they’ve gone to bed. Treat yourself to takeout so you can kick back and relax instead of cooking.

2. Meet a friend for lunch during your break to celebrate your birthday

It might not be feasible for you to go out to dinner with friends if you don’t have anyone to watch your kids or you really need to be there at bedtime. But if you’re a working mum, why not make the most of your lunch break by meeting up with a friend to celebrate? If you can, consider extending your lunch break for an extra hour so you can really let loose and catch up. 

3. Have a “me” day

As mums, we often put our needs and wants on the backburner, and for as much as we’re told that we shouldn’t do that, some of us just feel better making our kids the priority at all times. But on your birthday, please give yourself a break. 

Take the day or the afternoon off while your kids are in school to do whatever you want – whether you feel like going shopping, hitting the cinema, walking on the beach, or just curling up with a good book in bed in your pyjamas. It’s your day, and it only comes once a year, so give yourself permission to make the most of it.

4. Host a virtual party

Not that long ago, many of us were wondering how to celebrate your birthday in lockdown, and some of the ideas that were popular then are still quite attractive for busy mums. One of my favourites is having a virtual party. You don’t have to worry about cooking for everyone, decorating, and cleaning the house. Just throw on a festive top and Zoom with your closest friends while sipping on cocktails (or mocktails).

Let’s face it: your other mum friends probably have just as much trouble as you do getting out for a whole evening, so everyone will appreciate this chance to catch up from the comfort of home.

5. Have a fancy dinner – even if it’s at home

If finding someone to watch your kids so you can go out to a nice dinner is just not in the cards, have a fancy meal come to you. Since the pandemic, many restaurants that would never be associated with delivery or takeaway in the past introduced these options, and many of them continue to this day.

There’s a good chance that some of your favourite high-end restaurants will let you order meals to go these days, and what better way is there to treat yourself? Get dressed up, light some candles and create an elegant dining experience at home after the kids go to bed, or be a rebel and eat your fancy dinner in your loungewear just because you can. It’s your birthday – and you get to call the shots!

5. Treat yourself

Buy yourself something nice you’ve been eyeing or thinking of getting. It needn’t be pricey, the aim here is to spoil ourselves a little bit. As mums, we are constantly buying stuff for our kids and making sure they’ve got enough clothes and shoes for every season. We’re saving up to buy them gifts for their birthdays and Christmas. Once a year, let’s make it a point to stop and think of what we want. What’s on your wishlist?

No matter how busy you are, there are always ways to take a little time to yourself and give yourself the celebration you deserve. 

Never forget how important YOU are!