Yes, the pulse is the thing eh? But such a difficult row to hoe right now.
I have 18yo son doing VCE, a 15yo daughter, and a 12yo. The latter is my nephew who does not like his sister at all. They are at each other's throats constantly. However I am reminding them all to get organised with cards & gifts so there will be excitement of some sort on the day. My daughter has already got her a present, bless her.
I have my niece's requested meal half organised. She loves my tuna pasta sauce and has requested it for Monday. Fortunately I have a big batch in the freezer. I just have to make a chocolate self-saucing pudding... If I am absolutely incapable my daughter will deputise, she likes to bake.
My poor niece barely remembers a time when her primary caregivers haven't had bresst cancer. Only 11 months with me, and six months with my 80+ parents after my sister died. We managed to hide my father's (so far successful) prostate cancer treatment from her and her brother. Poor little dot. She's an incredibly difficult child, but it's clear why she's that way.