Parties
My kids were recently invited to their first school friend’s birthday parties, and I realized what a production it can be.
I remember my birthday parties and they were family over the house for some home made food and cake. Nothing fancy, nothing over the top.
These days birthdays, Bat Mitzvahs and sweet sixteens are huge productions complete with activities, chocolate fountains and brand new cars. You already know this if you watch MTV’s show, Sweet Sixteen, where parents spare no expense at giving their kids a huge gala for their birthday.
I wonder if the cast of sesame street arriving for a first birthday is a regional thing. Big expensive parties and weddings are the norm here in the tri-state area (NY, NJ & CT). There is almost a peer pressure/ competitive thing that goes on with the parents. One trying to outdo the other. Whoevers party is the biggest or best loves their child more.
We know that money and parties don’t replace love or time for your children but what message does it send them? Do we have to outdo the year before’s party this year? What do we value more, learning the value of a dollar or a big fiesta?
If you have the money and that is how you intent to use it, good for you, but my kids will not be expecting Dora and her friends at their party this year.
October 24th, 2006 at 5:24 pm
My little guy (2) doesn’t even know what a birthday really is - we spread out the celebration this year where he opened a gift or two with a few people one day, then had a cake another day, etc etc but didn’t do a huge thing for him. He’s too little to understand yet, we’ll save it for when he’ll enjoy it.
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