Happy 4th of July! Here is wishing you and your family a great and safe day whether you are going for a picnic, a community celebration, and fireworks or staying home to watch celebrations and honors on television tonight. For many parents with very young infants, staying in on the 4th of July may not seem preferable, but is often the choice made.
The first 4th of July we celebrated after my daughter was born, she was eight months old and the weather was actually pleasant enough that we didn’t mind taking her out for an evening to watch the fireworks. We looked for a local celebration where we wouldn’t have to drive far a field, but we could also set up a spot on a blanket away from the heavy crowds.
Naps are Important
We made sure she had plenty of naps that day, including one late in the afternoon, early evening in order to help her maintain her good mood. The naps were very important – a cranky baby is not going to make for a good time for anyone. We took a portable playpen with us as well as some lotion to help repel bugs along with a couple of citronella lanterns. The picnic style meal we indulged in, included some crackers and some frozen waffles (her favorite chewable at the time).
Because of the weather and the baby, my husband went ahead and set up the spot an hour earlier. The baby and I joined him about thirty minutes before the fireworks started. There was enough time for her to play and enjoy, but not so much that she became impatient or bored. When the fireworks started, she stared up at the sky for a few minutes – then she went back to playing with her toys.
Fireworks Just Aren’t That Impressive
In retrospect – her first 4th of July was much like the first Christmas after she turned 1 – it just wasn’t that exciting for her. She was more interested in the terrestrial world and her parents than she was in the light show in the sky. Still – we had a good time and every year since, we’ve made a journey somewhere to watch the fireworks.
Her second 4th of July elicited a far more interested response in the fireworks – and we gave her light bracelets and spinners to play with. These were a safe light show she could do in the darkness of the evening and since you should never give your baby any kind of combustible firework to play with – it was a great way for her to get into the spirit and to entertain herself without worrying about injury.
How are you planning to celebrate the 4th of July with your baby?