That Mom | How to Actually Enjoy Your Child's Birthday Party

WHAT IF THE STRESS OF PLANNING CELEBRATIONS HAS LESS TO DO WITH LOGISTICS—AND MORE TO DO WITH LOSING SIGHT OF WHAT ACTUALLY MATTERS? On this episode of _That Mom_, I sit down with attorney, entrepreneur, and self-described "Party Therapist" Jessica Lerner Halprin, founder of Swanky, a platform designed to simplify event planning and help families celebrate life's meaningful moments. Jessica shares how losing her mother inspired her to build a business centered around connection, celebration, and memory-making. We discuss why so many mothers feel pressure around birthdays and family events, how social media has changed our expectations, and why getting clear on your true intention can completely change the way you plan. Whether you're organizing a birthday party, graduation celebration, holiday gathering, or simply trying to create more joy in everyday life, this conversation offers practical advice for celebrating without the overwhelm. WHAT WE COVER: Why celebrations matter more than we realize The hidden pressure mothers feel around hosting How Pinterest and Instagram can derail your plans The question every parent should ask before planning a party Why intention matters more than perfection How to stop inviting opinions you don't actually want Practical advice for working with vendors and negotiating contracts ABOUT THE GUEST Jessica Lerner Halprin is an attorney, entrepreneur, and founder of Swanky, a platform that helps families organize events, preserve planning details, and celebrate life's milestones with less stress and more intention. LINKS + RESOURCES Connect with Jessica on   / or     / jlhalprin   Check out https://www.swankey.com/celebrate-wit... Follow ThatMom:   / thatmom_thepodcast   Join the ThatMom Community: https://thatmom.kit.com/intentionalmom Learn more: https://riverside.com/www.thatmompodc... Maria's Style Pick: One thing helping me simplify life as a working mom? Renting instead of buying. This episode's outfit is from Rent the Runway. https://www.renttherunway.com/shares/... If this episode resonated, share it with a mom who has been carrying too much for too long. And if you're enjoying these conversations, follow That Mom for more thoughtful discussions about motherhood, identity, ambition, happiness, emotional well-being, and building a life that feels aligned with what matters most.