It makes sense to feel sad because you have to spend your birthday without your parents, but there’s no way your family has stopped caring about you! If they’re leaving you on your special day that’s only because they have to do it for work and can’t reschedule. Don’t let it ruin your birthday though. Follow these tips and your day will still be a blast.

Stay connected

It’s hard to grow up with a parent who travels, let alone two, and there will be lots of days where you miss your mom and dad. To keep in touch with them everywhere they go, you can set up a free Skype account or talk with them over webcam using other types of instant video messaging. Have them on video chat while you open your presents or blow out your candles, and it’ll feel like they’re there with you.

Celebrate before or after

Since they can’t be with you on your actual birthday, plan to celebrate with the whole family: aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins, when they’re in town. This way you won’t be missing out on anything, it’ll just be at a different time.

Invite your friends over

Ask your parents if you could have your friends stay over while they’re gone, or if you could go to their place on your birthday. Once you start celebrating with your girl friends, you won’t feel quite so blue about your parents being gone. As long as you’re surrounded by people you love on your big day, you’ll have a good time.

The most important thing to remember is that your parents do love and care about you, and that they’re working so hard to support you. Just the fact that they’ve been to all your other birthdays even with their crazy travel schedules shows that you’re important to them and they want to be with you. Happy Birthday girl! I’m sure it’ll be amazing!