Your baby's first birthday is a huge milestone for the both of you, which is why parents everywhere spend so much time and energy planning the perfect celebration to mark the occasion. Unfortunately, the truth is that babies don't really understand why their birthday is different from any other day — and sometimes the whole party thing can be a bit much for them to process!
In a video posted on July 2, a mom is worried that her soon-to-be 1-year-old is going to cry at his upcoming birthday party when everybody sings to him, so she takes it upon herself to prepare him by belting "Happy Birthday" while he sits in his highchair. It's basically a form of exposure therapy, but if his reaction is any indication, he's going to need a lot more practice before the big day arrives!
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"I even gave him some cake, still cried," wrote @its.me.big.al . He was absolutely devastated! Maybe if mom keeps trying he'll eventually get used to this experience...but maybe not! He's definitely not the only baby to feel this way, as the comments proved.
"My son was terrified on his first birthday and we all trailed off awkwardly mid song," wrote April Pixelforay.
"It's truly not a child's party until someone starts crying," wrote Amber.
"This is how I feel when people sing me happy birthday," wrote victoriaaperrezz.
Related: Little Girl’s Reaction to Birthday Party Not What Mom Expected
It could be said that sobbing over your first birthday song is a rite of passage, apparently. But why does it happen in the first place?
Why Do Babies Cry at Their Birthday Parties?
Babies aren't the only ones who break down crying at their birthday parties. Whether it happens when everybody's singing or when it's time to open presents, it's not uncommon for little kids to get emotional in the middle of a birthday celebration , according to Fatherly.
“'Kids under the age of four or five typically cry because it’s completely overwhelming,' Kryss Shane, a family therapist specializing in child development told Fatherly. For one, parents are frazzled to get everything right, there’s a crowd of children, and maybe even a pony. Plus, everyone wants a picture with them. 'It kind of freaks them out because that’s not an experience most little kids have on a regular basis.'"
Even adults can experience similar feelings on their birthdays, they just have better ways of handling those emotions.
"Kids cry at their birthdays for the same reason adults feel embarrassed when waiters sing the birthday song at Chili’s. The difference is that young children haven’t developed the same coping skills and they don’t always know that the song will eventually end and all the singing and clapping people will go away."
It's important to give your kid a break from the festivities if they're struggling.
"There are specific times when kids may be more likely to cry than others, such as while singing happy birthday or while opening presents, but it can really happen at any time during the event. When it does, it’s important to let children lead and practice setting their own boundaries. Forcing them to take a picture with a pony or clown while they’re crying and expressing that they need to take a break isn’t going to help them build character or learn a lesson. It’s just going to give them another reason to fear wildlife and clowns."
Ultimately, as parents, it's important to remember that it's your kid's party...they can cry if they want to!
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