Comments on: Birthday Parties are Stupid

By: Jane Cooper

Jane Cooper — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 09:37:59 +0000

This was a really good read and I guess all parents can relate to pretty much all of that, I have twins who are just about to turn 16 so now they've moved on from the traditional kids parties and want to invite loads of friends over to drink alcohol and jump around to very loud music for a few hours somehow I don't think it's going to happen.

By: debbie

debbie — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:40:45 +0000

i like this article. I’m a mummy of 2 and in 14 years of motherhood hosted one party.NEVER AGAIN.Im also of the belief that birthday celebrations should be intimate affairs,including only the people close enough to actually care.It all feels so insencere and awkward to me that i find myself cringing at the whole embarrasing episode.My daughter often brings home party invites from school and although she is only 6,informs me that the child who has requested her presence,allegedly,or should i say presents,is mean to her on a regular basis or that she has never once spoken to them.And thats the deciding factor,we dont give the invite another glance.Parents seem to think that i am social segregating my child.Please dont get me wrong,my daughter has 2 best friends who she socialises with outside of school,among others who regularly come over for tea and has no problems socialising at school whatsoever,but because we dont attend many social events outside school people think im somehow failing my motherly duties.Sorry for the cynicism guys!

By: When Your Kid Gets a Birthday Snub

When Your Kid Gets a Birthday Snub — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 19:26:17 +0000

[...] to Neil (the older of my two) yesterday. My youngest son, Alan, got invited by his friend to a birthday party, and we dutifully showed up. Neil, in the mean time, went to the park with his mother to play. [...]

By: The Prom: I Don’t think I Missed Much

The Prom: I Don’t think I Missed Much — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 20:02:51 +0000

[...] I’m not blind to the fact that I’m unusual. I don’t even like weddings and birthday parties. What makes me happiest is hanging out at home doing hobbies, not jumping around to a techno beat [...]

By: Keith

Keith — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:55:19 +0000

Erica, that is such a cool idea. I was adopted and that would have really been a special idea when I was little. A “Gotcha” day is something I’m going to keep in mind for people I know who are going to adopt. Thank you for your comment!

By: Erica

Erica — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:21:46 +0000

I have to agree with you on the whole birthday party situation. We have two daughters whom we adopted at different times at ages 4 and 13 (they are now 10 and 17). We have small, family-only parties most years, but on the “big” years (5, 10, 13, 16, and 18) they get to chose something special that includes inviting a friend or two. My older daughter, for example, chose to have the family go away to our favorite vacation spot for a weekend and bring along her best friend when she turned 16. We also celebrate a “gotcha” day (the day they came to live with us) and an adoption day (the day their adoptions were finalized). It’s almost like three birthdays a year each! Needless to say, I HAVE to keep it simple to be able to mark that many occasions.

By: Keith

Keith — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:43:21 +0000

Kathy, Wow! 10 Kids. Yeah, that wouldn’t be realistic at all. You are correct to use the term “Prostituted” in the case of having to buy a present for an ungrateful child. I couldn’t have put it better myself. Yes, you’re crazy for liking Chuck E Cheese pizza! LOL

By: Kathy

Kathy — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:06:55 +0000

As a mom of 10 children, it wouldn’t be realistic of me to try and celebrate all my families birthdays in a grand manner on a regular basis. Simplicity works for us…we do occasionally have a party with friends over, but that is rare and only if the child is interested. We held a tea party last month for my 9 year old. My four oldest children planned it all and helped carry it out. It was a great success. We didn’t have party favors per se, we had a card-making activity and they took their cards home as a “favor.” I really dislike the ubiquitous junky favors.

Usually our celebration includes just our immediate family going out for dinner…grandparents might come over on the actual birthday with gifts…my sister comes over whenever she gets around to it…no big deal.

As for other children’s parties…there is a huge difference in buying for a child who is sincerely grateful and one who has everything under the sun and doesn’t even give your gift a second look. I feel prostituted in the latter cases.
Kathy

P.S. I love Chuck E Cheese’s pizza. Call me crazy.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Kelly’s emergency =-.

By: Keith

Keith — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 12:08:09 +0000

Hi Stephanie! Yes, so many people seem to agree that birthdays should be family affairs. I think it’s our voices though that are drowned out by all the rabble rousing going on with these affairs. It’s as if we’re the silent majority! HA

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 05:52:28 +0000

We recently celebrated our daughter’s 3rd birthday party – at home, with extended family. It was better that way – intimate, celebratory, and attended out of love (not obligation).

I agree that birthday parties are best kept as family affairs, while other events that are less “one-sided” can be enjoyed by all. But to each his own, I suppose…

P.S. I also agree about Chuck E. Cheese. We have yet to take our girls there for the reasons you listed.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Themed Weekend: Babies Don’t Keep =-.

By: Keith

Keith — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:19:24 +0000

Angie, you and I seem like we’re in agreement Someone “gets” me! Thanks for the visit!