Mom Reminds Us Why We Should Celebrate Our Kids' Birthdays, 'Her Happiness Is Everything To Me'

Last May 2023, we asked our readers to submit photos capturing the raw and unfiltered moments of motherhood. Out of thousands of entries, we carefully selected the top 100, and then handpicked the top 10. This article is part of a series that delves into the stories behind the 10 winning photos of the Smart Parenting Motherhood 100 photo contest.

Memories Made With Every Challenge Overcome 

When the pandemic first hit in 2020, the whole world stood still. Everyone had to adjust to life on lockdown and learn to live with the challenges that came with it.

For Barbra Escleto, on her daughter’s 2nd birthday, it was more than just a matter of making do with what they had. She was determined to go above and beyond without letting the quarantine get in the way of her daughter’s special day. 

“It was our daughter's 2nd birthday in 2020 and we celebrated her birthday in quarantine and virtually with our loved ones,” Barbra shares with Smart Parenting. 

Birthdays are milestones that are as much a child’s celebration as they are a parent’s. As you watch your little one transition into the next stage of their life, you feel overwhelmed with feelings of pride, excitement, and bittersweet sadness all at once. But as much as every parent wishes there was a pause button they could hit at any point in time, witnessing your child growing into their own unique person is more than enough reason to celebrate. 

WATCH: 5 Benefits Of Celebrating Your Child's Birthday

Bringing Joy and Color In Dark Times 

Even though Barbra’s daughter was still very young, she had already developed her own interests and preferences. Like many toddler girls her age, she was drawn to all things bright and colorful.

Despite not having the resources available because of businesses that were put on hold and the absence of suppliers, she still managed to throw a celebration that was both meaningful and intimate.  

"We're at home in quarantine at the height of COVID, but that didn’t stop us from giving her a happy birthday." --Barbra Escleto

“She has shown interest in the Trolls movies, or anything colorful and with rainbows, so we made sure she woke up to a colorful birthday surprise. Her happiness is everything to me so despite the challenges COVID brought, we wanted to make sure her birthday and every day remained fun,” says Barbra. 

As adults, we are equipped with coping mechanisms that make us capable of overcoming adversity. The pandemic took a toll on young children primarily because the idea of being on lockdown is a concept that is beyond what they can grasp.

Barbra drew her strength from the love she had for her family, and even if her daughter’s birthday bash wasn’t what she expected, seeing her daughter happy was all she needed. 

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“Since the photo is in black and white, it's hard to imagine how colorful everything actually was. Our daughter Lilly loves rainbows. In the photo, we're at home in quarantine at the height of COVID, but that didn’t stop us from giving her a happy birthday (it was just me, her dad, Lilly, and her nanny) and a happy day every day! Her smile is our brightest light, and her laughter is our sweetest music,” Barbra shares.