Birthday Party Review (long)

I did a last minute birthday party last week. I was hired through another painter. The party was a girlie, make over party with nine 7 year old girls and a 3 year old little sister. The woman had originally wanted someone to do Crazy hair, I don't do crazy hair...yet. However, I had just ordered some wonderful halos, and I took them to see if that would be acceptable to use in addition to my painting.

When I got there, the Mom went to give me a heads up, her daughter was watching a movie, the other girls were all in the Dining room doing their nails and playing games. Her daughter had a hard time with interacting in groups and may not want to participate. She said she would try to get her to join in, but that I shouldn't feel bad if she didn't. I asked if I could talk to her daughter and introduce myself. I went into the living room and her Mom introduced me. I sat down on the floor and told her who I was and what I did. I explained that her Mom had invited me to face paint and then I asked her if she liked facepainting, and would she like me to stay and paint her and her friends. We talked about her friends, her birthday, school and spent about 10 maybe 15 minutes there in the living room just talking and putting her at ease and in control. Her friends joined us in the living room and we talked about how they all became friends and of course I had to ask who was married and who had boyfriends. The Ice was broken, the birthday girl was ready to lead her friends to the facepainting table. I showed the birthday girl the halo's I had brought, and got her permission to give each of her friends one when I finished painting them. Big smile, and permission granted! The halos had these wonderful little bells on them and dozens of long ribbons hanging off the back, the girls (and the Mom) loved them. I painted flowers on all of their arms using split cakes, to start the painting off, and then I painted each of the girls faces....and gave them their halo hair piece. The party was a wonderful success, the Birthday girl stayed involved with all of her friends and when I was leaving they were all wearing their halos and gathered in the 'fairyie cave' (under the dining room table, pretending to be fairies.

The parents paid me and expressed their appreciation and said that they were so pleased with the extra time that I had spent with their daughter, and for bringing the halos. They said that her participation in a group event was very rare.

Thanks for letting me share this story. I feel so honored that I did the right things and made this little girls party so special. Taking the chance to talk to her one on one, was the right choice. I was afraid that she might not even interact with me, and then when she was put into the power position of choosing to have the halos for her and her friends seemed to be the two key things that worked for her. Thank goodness that I had ordered the halos, (the tip that I got more then paid for the halos) Seeing all the girls under the table together, laughing and giggling discussing their faerie powers seemed like such a perfect ending.

Jenny

Wow Jenny --

It sounds like your approach made a huge difference.

You were awesome! Thanks for sharing!

Awesome story, well done Jenny!

That is a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing - so often we read about what goes wrong at events, it is heartening to hear how your worked your "magic" to make it all go right. Good for you. Definitely one to remember if I'm ever in a similar situation.

Great job making her feel at ease, that's hard to do!

What an awesome story Jenny. So glad it turned out well for you!

That was inspirational! You handled that like a combination of shrink, fairy godmother and friends all rolled into one! I hope I learned from your example and will be able to tap into that if I ever come across something similar!

~smiling~

Very inspirational! Thanks for sharing!

That is such a beautiful story.

Jenny, That was great! I have a son that has trouble interacting in group settings. I feel so blessed when people take the time to know him & don't just blow him off because he's "different".

What a great story!

I'd really like to see those halos now. They sound really cute.

great job jenny..

What a beautiful story! It's so inspirational to hear of your gentle approach to this girl, and your effectiveness in drawing her out and helping her to become part of the group and enjoy her birthday with the other girls. I have an introverted daughter who is never part of the group, and as a mother I know how special this must have been for your hostess to see.

Great job!!

That really is an amazing story. I think the situation would have made me really uncomfortable, and I'm sure I wouldn't have known how to handle it. Now I have a clue. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks for all the comments. You guys make me so special. I did what we all do, we make children feel special and important and happy, and we make memories, one child at a time.

I know how much I loved it when someone took extra time with my son, and I just love it when I can make a difference for just a moment for any one child.

I did leave out a part of the story...The parents left it out too, the 2 girls were adopted. I don't know when or how old they were when they were adopted, I didn't ask. I'm guessing that was part of what was behind the older girls feeling and fear of crowded/group events.

Someone asked about the halos, these were Christmas style, with I think at least 20 little bells on them and the back had a green and red butterfly and ribbons that are about 36 inches long. PM me, and I can give you the link to see other styles. I love having quick and inexpensive add ons when doing private party's, it makes the party's extra special and I use everything from crayons and coloring sheets to hair pins to water yoyos to stickers- I think this is from my Clowning days when I did a lot of walkaround.

Jenny

Geekophile wrote:That really is an amazing story. I think the situation would have made me really uncomfortable, and I'm sure I wouldn't have known how to handle it. Now I have a clue. Thank you for sharing.

I know what you mean. I was really lucky this time. I had a choice of just saying 'I understand' and get to painting the other girls, and see if she would join us, or to go and talk to her one on one. This was her day, so I chose to go to her and do my best to make her day special and it worked. It was fun talking to her and getting into her zone. We talked, played and giggled for what seemed like an hour, but it was only about 15 minutes. I know it could have been different if we hadn't connected, but it worked, and if this story helps someone else make another successful party, then this little girl is paying it forward without even knowing it!

Jenny

The halos rock and you are pretty terrific Jenny!

It's the people who care so deeply like yourself who are going to always be successuful in this business. Givers are always going to come out on top & I can tell you were blessed with a giving heart! I really enjoyed the story very much, it just goes to show you that it's not all about the buck for some people & that what you got out of seeing them happy and having that child warm up was priceless. Merry Christmas Jenny!

Awww! How sweet is that!