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Group: Administrators
Last Login: 6/14/2008 11:55 PM
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I have been a sucker for a birthday party since Parker turned 1. Ever since, both boys have enjoyed celebrations with friends, cakes, presents, and facility rentals! I am bad about it, freely admit it. But I also feel pressured.
It seems that what used to be, "Choose a couple of friends and we'll take you out for pizza and a movie." Has merged into cakes, goody bags, everyone being invited so NO ONE feels left out, going to a place EVERYONE likes so your child will be sure to have his friends come, etc. I mean party planning for a preschooler takes more time than it did to plan my wedding! Sad but so very true.
Do you feel that the current trends in birthdays are outrageous? I really want to hear your thoughts on this!
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/7/2008 1:07 AM
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| I think it's gone a little wild. Like for Michael and Leslie, I am having a combined birthday party for them, since their birthdays are 4 days apart. They each want to do their own thing, but we just can't afford 2 parties that close together. Like for Kody's Party we just had a few weeks ago, we didn't book a party, but we did meet at Chuck E Cheese. Even there gets expensive without booking a party, I mean you got to get tokens, pizza, drinks. All of that, and you bring in the cake, goodie bags like you said. I remember my parties were just for family growing up. Once in awhile I had a party with friends, but mainly it was just family.
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/11/2008 2:32 PM
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I would love to throw big parties for my kids but there is no room in our budget right now. The tradition we have started at our home is that Mom, Dad and children celebrate on the child's actual birthday and then we invite family on the weekend for a larger celebration. Last year, my 7 year old asked if we could go out to eat on his actual birthday and we did. Then on Saturday we had the family over for cake and ice cream.
I think that if you are able to afford (and want) to have larger parties, then have them. Don't let other people dictate what you want to do or try to make you feel bad for it.
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 8:58 AM
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I think the big expensive parties are out of control!!! I think spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars EVERY year on a party at those party places is insane! I wish our society would get back to basics on this issue! I wish we as parents could come together and kinda team up and set a new standard on birthday parties!
What's wrong with having a few friends over, playing pin the tail on the donkey, playing musical chairs, having a water balloon toss? Kids love being together and celebrating!
And those goodie bags!!! EEECCK!!! Those have just snowballed, don't ya think? We run around town, trying to find the "perfect junk" to fill up goodies bags to pass out to ALL the kids that come to the party!! WHAT??? How does that makes sense? Who started that tradition?
There is a website, I could not believe it when I read it! It talks about all these same issues! I had no idea it was even out there....
http://www.birthdayswithoutpressure.org/
I don't mean to sound like a BAH-HUMBUG....not at all! I love having parties at my house for my kids! I love letting them pick some friends to come over to help us celebrate my child's special day! I love throwing parties! So I don't want to come across like that at all! Just my 2cents! 
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/7/2008 1:07 AM
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| Oh I agree about the goodie bags, so I got them things they could use. At Party City they had plastic cups 2/$1, so I got the boys Transformers, and all the girls Bratz cups, a few pieces of candy, candy necklace, pencil, eraser, sheet of stickers. I know kinda lame, but I didn't want to get the little junk toys. Kevan made a good point, wish our kids B-days were in the late spring early summer, that way we can just have a cookout, and let the kids play outside. Be alot cheaper!
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 9:55 AM
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| I definitely believe less is more with little kids when planning birthday parties. Stressed out parents and schedules is not what little kids want. They want games and mess. You can't go wrong with scavenger hunts, silly string tag, water balloon races, ect... If the weather is incliment, sign up at the mall (for smaller children) at the carousel for their birthday club. It is free and they will send a certificate in the mail valid for 30 days for the birthday child and 9 of his/her friends to ride the carousel and receive free balloons. Then make a trip to the indoor playground and the only cost you incur for the party is the cake, drinks and goody bags.
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Group: Administrators
Last Login: 6/14/2008 11:55 PM
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This brings up another thought, what about parents who leave their kids at younger birthday parties?
I have had the occasional parent say, "Please keep an eye on them for me, I have to run some errands. What time is the party over? I'll be back then." and out the door they go. I understand if you think your child will behave in your absence, but when your child is beneath the age of 6, I need you to stay!
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 9:55 AM
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| I completely agree that any child who is not of school age should be supervised at a party. Until that age, children may not be accustomed to following the directions of different adults outside of their normal routine, add in lots of sugar and excited kids and you are asking for trouble. Even the most well behaved child becomes challenged in those situations. My advice to those parents who absolutely must drop their kids off is let the hostess know in advance so that they can make sure to have enough adults to supervise the festivities.
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/1/2008 4:14 PM
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Don't feel bad about it!!! I've been the same sucker with both my girls for thirteen years running. they are only young once. If you feel like it seems a bit outrageous-try something like donating all the gifts to a local charity. We did that last year and the inmvited guests had a great time and learned a great sharing lesson.
I guess I'm just a sucker for a good party-I'm planning a southern belle tea for my ten year olds b-day-so don't sweat it-party on!!!!
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/20/2008 9:25 AM
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You all shame me. I would LOVE to throw a great party for my little girl. We have moved so often that I have never made friends with children her age, so we always endup with either a small family get together, (meaning Me, dh and kiddos) or a party full of adults.
It is a huge guilt thing for me, my daughter's 3rd birthday is on the 26th and I feel I have let her down yet another year with not being able to provde a party just for her with all the things she loves and all her friends.
Motherhood is not for wimps! 
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