Backlash to birthday mania

Aisha Sultan St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Mandy’s mom fretted that her daughter’s sixth birthday party was getting boring and, as a result, out-of-hand. After waiting in line for a pony ride around the block, many of the pint-sized guests had lost interest. They had started running wild in the house (the kids, not the ponies).

Her sister reminded her that at birthday parties when they were little girls they played pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey. And it was a picture of a donkey. On a piece of paper. Yet it managed to entertain a generation of kiddie partygoers. But no more.

Party entertainment has to be original and supersized. The goody bags are on steroids. And the decorations are fit for a Barbie Dream wedding.

It’s hard to throw a child’s birthday for less than $300.

I’ll confess: Once I spent twice that amount on a single party. Not only was it a ridiculous amount of money, but it also required a solid month of preparation and home-made decorations. The night before my daughter’s third birthday, I was up until 1 a.m. sticking “jewel” gumdrops on princess plates and tying pink tulle bows on the backs of 25 chairs.
…

Read more

Birthday ideas for an 8-year-old boy?

McClatchy-Tribune

Moms Forum spotlights useful discussion taking place on the parenting forums of newspapers around the country.

———

QUESTION:

Does anyone have any ideas about where/how we could celebrate my son’s 8th birthday? He turns 8 at the end of June, but in order to invite his friends from school we held it in May last year, before school ended, and it was perfect.

— Posted by Misti at www.MomsMiami.com

RESPONSES:

— Seeing how it’s June and it will be hot you may consider having something at the beach. However if you choose to do something inside you could consider a bowling party or a movie...

Read more

To party or not to party?

How many moms out there don’t have enough toys or clothes for their kids? I’m guessing not many. Which raises the question of birthday parties and at what age?

I get the 1-year-old birthday party. It’s a milestone and should be celebrated. After that, at what age is a birthday party really necessary?

My kids have enough toys to outfit a small country. And that’s just from family. My husband’s family is large, so by the time all the grandparents and aunts and uncles and mom and dad give them birthday presents, I’ve got to go buy another toy box.

Basically, I weed out old toys when a birthday is coming up to make room for the new haul.

At my house, it’s family...

Read more