Comments on: Birthday Parties for Kids: how much is too much?

By: Bigfunparties

Bigfunparties — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:10:46 +0000

Our site ” http://www.bigfunparties.co.uk ” helps in organizing a party to make it as fun and successful as possible for your child. We provide entertainer to entertain children, one entertainer for about fifteen children. For big parties we provide extra entertainer too. Our parties have a perfect mix of interactive play and games as well as music, dance and a lot fun. So make your kids birthday an unforgettable event.

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Mom Blogs at MomDot » Easy SEO Tips to Optimize Your Blog — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:20:13 +0000

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By: Elisheva

Elisheva — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:44:04 +0000

I think parents nowadays are training their children to be little midget materialists. I was a child not too long ago, and somehow I survived even knowing that my parents couldn’t afford all the things my friends had. What I DID get was the knowledge that I was loved and cared for, and a sense of what is truly necessary/important in life.
That having been said, not every kid is like that. Some kids really do need to be similar to everyone else in order to feel good about themselves (read: my sister) and the parent has to know their child really well. As my baby gets a little older, I think the level of materialism in a given community will greatly affect where we choose to permanently live.

By: Audra

Audra — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:02:44 +0000

My son just turned two, and by today’s standards he had probably the lamest birthday party of any child his age. The attendees were just my husband, me, our dog (and of course, our son). The cake was homemade, the party decorations were a few balloons (that we blew up ourselves) and ribbons twirled around from the ceiling. No theme, no dozens of gifts to open, no ponies or circus clowns, but he really seemed to enjoy it. We sang songs, he blew out the candles, and chowed down on his chocolate cake and ice cream. Afterwards, he opened his one gift, and it was off to get ready for bed.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:14:01 +0000

I agree with AmandaG, you can give and give, but they need to be taught to appreciate.

We work hard on that one with Aiden. If he starts getting out of control, he gets cut off and things get taken away. He learned a lesson last weekend when we gave him his birthday bike and he kinda got sour that there were no more presents cause he wanted his party at the same time too. The brand new 5 min old bike was taken away until he could accept it properly.

It takes work, they all have to learn, but hopefully as they grow they will appreciate and not come to expect it.

By: AmandaG

AmandaG — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 07:34:41 +0000

I agree Trisha. We’re “evil” parents because yes, we have a PS2, a Wii, a Xbox360, and a Gameboy, and you know what my son is allowed to play? His Leapster. As a special treat, we play bowling as a family on the Wii. It’s nice in the winter, but it’s definitely not an every day or even an every week sort of thing.

I won’t sit here and say my kids aren’t spoiled though. They are. But, I will not tolerate them being brats about it. I think you can strike a balance between the 2 things. I was spoiled growing up, but I was also taught that I need to work for the things I want, to respect others, and other basic moral values. I’ve seen the sense of entitlement and it’s appalling to me.

By: Trisha-admin

Trisha-admin — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:02:30 +0000

Michelle, i think ALL of its too much. The video games, the run of the tv and 19 kids channels, the “i want” and get theory, they have golf carts for KIDS. When I was a kid, nintendo was like having a flat screen tv. I had a bike. And barbies…and oh, no, i didnt get to buy new clothes, i had to sew them for my barbies. LOL!!

I am an avid reader cause there was no tv in my room and i wasnt allowed to watch what my parents were watching, mtv was banned and i was required to go to college. I think that there is just too, too much as a society and then we wonder what happens.

By: Clarissa @ The Posh Parent

Clarissa @ The Posh Parent — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:00:53 +0000

I threw my daughter a BIG 1st bday party and like Renee said, it was more of a “YEAH we made it through the 1st year!” kinda thing…on average, we spend $400.00 per party whether we try to throw a “small” party or not- we have latin families and they always make everything HUGE! lol So really just food, drinks, cake and tables and chairs cost a butt load of money!!

Those Sweet 16 parties on MTV are OOC(out of control)

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:55:11 +0000

I definitely think people are over-the-top right now. In May we had my daughter’s first birthday party, and I think we overdid it, to be honest. There were no performers, no ponies, nothing–but we had a ton of people and probably a little too much food. My in-laws and parents generously brought most of it, so it wasn’t that expensive to US, and it did provide an awesome gathering for our family and friends. Also, to be more eco-friendly, we used glass plates, glasses, and actual flatware rather than paper and plastic. It made it seem fancier, but that’s really not what we were after. Next year, I think we’ll invite 4-5 of Suzi’s friends and their parents over. She really doesn’t have that many friends yet, so it should be small.

I watch Super Sweet 16 sometimes and I have to say, it kind of hurts my feelings when a girl’s daddy pays $50,000 just for a famous MUSICIAN, and then I realize that the money they paid for her party, not including the BMW, could pay off our entire mortgage. Just imagine the good that could be done if those girls had a party at home and donated the money they would’ve spent to help others who really need it.

By: Renee aka Mekhismom

Renee aka Mekhismom — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:50:15 +0000

I think the first birthday party is really for the parents a way to exhale after making it thru the first year. We all know the baby is not going to remember. I read many parenting books that suggest you double your child’s age to determine the number of children to invite to a party.

I think that is a good rule of thumb. When you set a precedent for opulence in birthday parties that becomes an expectation and puts unneeded pressure on parents. But at the end of the day parents decide what is best for their child.

Although I do have to say I think the Super Sweet 16 show is outlandish.