Planning for your kid's birthday party is fun yet stressful indeed that we get carried away most of the time and forget some of the things to be mindful of.

Here's the list of Do's and Don'ts that may not be a life but definitely a party saver. ;)

DO send invitations early

Make it a month in advance, at least. People are quite busy and they’re more likely to decline if it’s Monday and your party is scheduled for this coming Saturday. This is also more common if your child’s birthday falls during the holiday season or in the summer when family vacations are more frequent.

DO be specific

Always specify what time of day you are throwing the party and whether you are serving lunch or dinner. Also, since we are talking about children’s parties, make sure to indicate if parents can drop off their children or if they are required to stay for the party. It could also help if you are clear about whether siblings are welcome.

DO include an RSVP date

It would be easier for party hosts to know what to expect when they receive responses from guests in a timely manner. Give people a specific date by which to RSVP, and a method of contacting you (email/text/call).

DO make it palatable and enjoyable for the parents

Let’s face it, unless they’re family or close friends, most parents aren’t dying to spend their weekends at your kid’s party. The least you can for is to make it enjoyable for them too. If your party is in the morning, serve bagels and coffee. If the event is at one of those bounce house/trampoline/rock climbing venues, let the kids eat the sub par pizza that’s included and bring in real food for the adults.

DO be sensitive to food allergies

If you are aware that one of of your guests has a food allergy, have an alternative food on hand for that child to eat. Parents of kids with allergies are used to bringing along “safe” food for their kids, but they would really be super appreciative if their kids can partake in the party treats, too.

DO send thank you notes

Although generic pre-printed notes may not be as genuine as hand-written notes, it’s better than nothing at all. Get your kids in the habit of thanking their family and friends for their kindness and generosity. It’s a skill that will stay with them long after the party is over.

DON’T exclude kids

It’s fine if your child doesn’t want to invite the entire class, but you also wouldn’t want to exclude 2 kids out of 20 either, especially if you are distributing invitations via their teacher. If you’re keeping your party small, be discreet and tell your child not to talk about it in front of their classmates who were not invited.

DON’T do the “no gifts, please” thing

It’s actually a noble idea to ask the guests to not bring gifts anymore — your kid has way too much stuff and gifts aren’t cheap. However, people feel compelled to bring something,and those who don’t then feel awkward for coming empty handed.

DON’T open the presents at the party

A lot of party places would ask guests to drop their gifts in a designated area before the start of the party. These gifts would then be whisked to the birthday kid’s car at the end—and for good reason. It is often quite time consuming and chaotic. Wait until the guests go home before tackling the gifts with your child.

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Convenience! Ahhh… yes, this era is more concerned and after convenience in everything. But hey, who doesn’t want that?!

Given the growth of convenience — as an ideal, as a value, as a way of life — it is worth asking what our fixation with it is doing to our mental, emotional health and body. When was the last time you were actually mobile? Do you realize how these “convenience” we prioritize on a daily basis lowers down our stamina?

Stamina is the ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort. Though this word is mainly associated with physical activities, it may refer to mental exertions too. Physical stamina is more commonly meant when we refer to ‘stamina’. It isn’t required only by athletes, or those who are too involved in physical exertion. It is a daily requirement for all of us to handle our hectic lives, which nowadays demands only one thing, ‘keep running’ for all that you desire.

Here are some simple tips to increase your stamina:

• Eat Healthy

Our body reflects what we eat. You are what you eat. If we feed it healthy, it will work well, or else it will deteriorate. To increase your stamina naturally, it is very important to focus on what you are eating and whether it is healthy or not.

Some foods to improve stamina naturally are green leafy vegetables, oatmeal, bananas, peanut butter, carrots, beetroot juice, quinoa, eggplant, asparagus, pumpkin and lean meat, chicken, fish and eggs.

• Stop avoiding Carbs

Yes, you read that right! To increase your physical strength and stamina, you have to incorporate some carbs into your diet.

• Water works wonders

Hydrating your body holds much relevance beyond enhancing your beauty and managing your weight. Dehydration induces tiredness. So, drink as much water as you can throughout the day and night to keep your muscles relaxed.

• Walk! Walk! Walk!

Being regularly involved in physical activities is the key to cure all the problems. Seriously, what is 30 minutes of walking? Even things like standing on the subway or walking while you talk on the phone, rather than sitting down, can have an impact!

• Rest well

Our body needs that rest to heal and cure itself. Adequate sleep and rest leave us energized and refreshed. Proper rest helps in shooting up and restoring the energy levels. This helps us to perform better and for a longer period of time.

• Think Positive!

This is more about mental stamina. Mental stamina aids in better performance as there is focus and sharpness of mind.

One of the biggest tools for success also happens to be one of the simplest ones!

1. Failure is okay.

To be self-sufficient, kids need to pick themselves up once in a while. Most parents would know what their kids are capable of, but parental instincts often make them intervene to make things easier for the children. Remember, this is beneficial in the long run – a teenager who knows how to do their laundry can overcome a momentary discomfort. Before rushing in to help with any task, ask yourself: “Is my child in grave danger?” Then think about whether your child has the essential abilities or sufficient sleep and is not at all hungry. Yes? Time to back off and see what happens.

2. Implement homework rules.

Rule number one: Do the hardest thing first. Rule number two: No phones. However, some homework does require the help of technology such as computers for research, but no to unnecessary videos and chit chats over social media. Rule number three: As soon as they are done with homework, it’s time to prepare their bags for the next school day. This is a clear and straightforward three-step process that kids can easily follow, therefore, there’s less nagging from you.

3. Remember H.A.L.T.

Child tantrums can be caused by Hunger, Agitation, Loneliness or Tiredness.

4. Teach your child to do acts of kindness.

Kids need to learn that helping others is an everyday practice, and not just because they were told to do so. Challenge your child to accomplish small weekly tasks, such as helping a classmate open a bag of chips, or sharing their snack.

5. Bedtime must be on strict schedule.

A study published in 2013 in the journal Pediatrics found that seven-year-olds who follow irregular bedtimes had more behavioral problems than those with consistent bedtimes. And the longer the irregular bedtimes went on, the worse the problem became. If you work outside the home, it is naturally tempting to keep the kids up to be able to spend more time with them. But a sacrifice is necessary to make, even if it means that you sometimes miss lights out. Still, make sure to be involved in the routine like making a call to say goodnight.

6. Let them read whatever book they like.

Kids who read for pleasure excel academically. Recent studies show that they do better not only in language arts, but also in math. Even if you’d rather him pick a great classic novel over a graphic one, don’t make him feel bad by choosing otherwise. Genre would not matter for as long as they get hooked in the habit of reading.

7. Chores in exchange of money is a no-no.

Giving kids allowance to introduce them to money management is acceptable, but giving them as a reward for making their beds or helping you carry the groceries would make them ask “How much? Why would I do that for free when you are paying me to do it?”

8. Be a brave role model.

If you want your kids to be confident, practice your own self confidence and they will follow. Similarly, if your child sees you laughing over a backwards shirt, they would likely giggle instead of feeling awkward and embarrassed when it happens to them.

9. You are not their personal fast food cook.

It’s a child’s duty to eat what their parents eat. For picky eaters, parents tend to choose the all-or-nothing scenario, which is easily the best and most convenient choice. What parents can do instead is offer a variety of foods at mealtime. For example, the main course plus rice or pasta, a fruit or vegetable, and milk. This way, your child can eat just the pasta and the vegetable and get protein from milk.

10. Hear them out at age 14.

This is the age when peer pressure and think-for-myself attitude sets in, rather than just simply following the leader. Ask about their friends – this way, there’s a high probability that they will open up to you about what’s happening behind the scenes and offer your support.