Childrens Birthday Parties... (teens, game, girl, accident)

[sandycat]

This year we had the big party. My daughter turned 6. We made a rule in the house though that the kids can only have a party with friends on even birthdays. I am not a fan of birthday parties at all. I figure by the time she's 8, she'll only want to invite 3 or 4 of her closest friends. I think when they are young, they don't discriminate and everyone is their friend, which is nice, but expensive. It's hard to pare it down.

[JC JC Mom]

I'm hispanic and yes when we throw parties everyone in the family comes even the ones without the kids its fun!!!! Please dont get me started on how New Years Eve is with the entire family LOL

Its family time and my daughter looks forward to it.

[Ceece]

Our parties were mostly family oriented and we have a small extended family so it never was a huge deal. I think each of my kids had 1 or 2 "birthday bashes" with a bunch of friends at some local hot spot when they were young, and one big one when they were in high school here at the house with a band (friends from school...everyone was in a band in high school) and a bbq.

[sjane]

I have seen so many birthday parties get out of hand for little kids. Parents spend so much money that it doesn't even seem about the kids anymore - it's more about keeping up. Growing up, all our birthday parties were at home with homemade snacks and cake, party games etc. I have such great memories.

Now I have three girls of my own, I alternate between giving them a party one year, and having a friend over to do an activity and sleepover the next (like painting pottery, a movie, etc..). It may change as they get older, but for now it works.

[skbs]

Originally Posted by sjane

I have seen so many birthday parties get out of hand for little kids. Parents spend so much money that it doesn't even seem about the kids anymore - it's more about keeping up. Growing up, all our birthday parties were at home with homemade snacks and cake, party games etc. I have such great memories.

Now I have three girls of my own, I alternate between giving them a party one year, and having a friend over to do an activity and sleepover the next (like painting pottery, a movie, etc..). It may change as they get older, but for now it works.

I have done it both ways.... in the house and out of the house... less money and more money... I am not ready for the sleep overs yet as my kids are only 5 and 6... but in terms of the money I actually would have to say I am willing to spend that little bit more for the more exciting party and NOT have the party mess and all the kids in my house, have to cook, clean and worry or stress over the day.... I like having someone else do it and then go home to a clean house.... Does anyone else feel this way? or does the majority think I am crazy

[suzie02]

Originally Posted by skbs

I have done it both ways.... in the house and out of the house... less money and more money... I am not ready for the sleep overs yet as my kids are only 5 and 6... but in terms of the money I actually would have to say I am willing to spend that little bit more for the more exciting party and NOT have the party mess and all the kids in my house, have to cook, clean and worry or stress over the day.... I like having someone else do it and then go home to a clean house.... Does anyone else feel this way? or does the majority think I am crazy

I am with you. My sanity is worth the money.

[Momma_bear]

Originally Posted by suzie02

I am with you. My sanity is worth the money.

When they were smaller I did not mind paying the extra $$ to have a no fuss party. Now that they are older their parties are smaller, and easier so I don't mind if they have them at home with a few friends.

[Pandamonium]

My kid has a birthday at the end of the summer, when everyone is on vacation. So, I plan for big and hope for the best. I work with a theme. I found a book that had all kinds of birthday ideas. So, I do the home made parties sometimes. Last year, we had a cowboy themed party and did it at a horse stable. I like finding the costumes and creating games and then running them as hard as I can so that they pass out when the parents pick them up.

This year it will be a space party. We did it before but he has no recollection of it. I am hoping that the older that he gets the more it can be scaled down.

My ex has a big family and for awhile it seemed like that the kids parties were actually geared for the drinking adults. So, I made the move to make parties where my kid is the focus. In and out. Boom. 3 -4 hours. I'll clean for it.

[dsh1127]

My kids are 10&12, and the last few years I have given them a choice. They can invite 10-15 kids and do something at the house, and no one spends the night, or they can invite up to 3 or 4 kids, I can take them somewhere, and they can spend the night.

My son usually picks the at home larger number of kids, partly because his B-day is in late May and we can do a pool party at the house. My daughter's B-day is in October, so we don't have that option. She usually picks a few friends and they spend the night. Her last B-day we took her and 3 friends to a hotel that has a heated indoor pool with a big waterslide for a few hours - they had a blast!

We always have a party with the relatives, too, but because of how many there are, it is always simple and at the house (sometimes combined with the friend parties).

[mom51]

I need some help with how to handle a situation. We have lived in our neighborhood for about 5 years. They people across the street have a son the same age as ours. They play together almost every day and are at each others houses at least once a week. Every year this child has a Birthday party and has never invited my child. We have always invited him, and he has always come. The boy invites the 3 other boys in the neighborhood that are the same age, but never my son. What gives? My child is very hurt by this and doesn't understand. Has anyone else had this problem??? please give me some advice. Thank you