I read an interesting article in the newspaper about children's birthday parties and the pressure that parents are feeling to make them more and more elaborate. I wasn't able to link the article but there is a website that was started by concerned parents called http://www.birthdayswithoutpressure.org/. It is a blog of sorts for parents who are fed up with feeling like they have to invite tons of kids and spend tons of money on birthday parties. The website lists examples of parties gone to the extreme:
- A Chicago party invitation requests gifts worth at least $35. The mother explains that last year her child received some gifts worth only $10, which did not cover her costs.
-Parents can now register on Amazon.com for their children's birthday parties.
-A mother reaches her limit with 36 children at her 2-year-old's party. Her husband says she is hard to live with when planning parties.
I will admit - I can get a little carried away when it comes to party planning but I try to keep costs down and be realistic. Also - we have adopted the practice (like so many other families that I know) of only having friends parties every other year (and with a sigh of relief I can happily say this is not that year). I still think this organization makes a good point. What ever happened to "pin the tail on the donkey," "musical chairs" and cake and ice cream?
6 comments:
I didn't read the article yet, but I hate that pressure. I have tried to keep parties low key and mostly family. Next time I have a friend party I plan on requesting no gifts. I used to think that was cruel for the kid, but now that I am in my "anti-materialism" mode I feel I am doing my kids a favor in the long run (not to mention my sanity...if I have to pick up anymore toys on a consistant basis I might blow a fuse).
I'll have to come back this afternoon and read the article.
I was the only mom in my mommy group that didn't do an extravagant first b-day party. I felt judged--everyone asked me why. Now she's still months away from #2 b-day and I'm in a panic over what to do!! This is sad.
Gift price requirements?! Now that's a classy idea.
I never feel pressure to have big parties -- I just don't enjoy them. I suppose if it were my thing, then fine, but it isn't, so I just do what I can. One of the best parties (on the friend-party year) was a crafting one for Sadie, which we repeated for Daisy a couple of months later and used all the "left-over" craft supplies. Easy, and the girls loved it!
Here! Here!
I'm with you all the way! Let's start a revolution.
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