We recently celebrated Lela's 3rd birthday. As I was searching the internet for ideas, so many ridiculous things came up! One family had gotten a petting zoo, a bounce house, a face-painter, and a caterer!!! Now, maybe our simplistic approach partly stemmed from our budget crisis, but I think it also has to do with just thinking we should keep it simple.
It seems to me that if you do something so grand at such a young age, they will just end up expecting something bigger and better every year thereafter! Now, when I was a kid, our birthday parties were in the backyard... we played games that involved putting your head on the tip of a bat and spinning yourself sick... or the "pop the balloon by sitting on it" relay race... of course followed by a homemade cake, and some opening of small, non-budget breaking gifts.
But now, it seems that anyone that is anyone, puts up their children's "friends" (they're not really best buddies at 3 yrs old) at a play place, one of those indoor playground gone crazy places, or the Children's Museum... Then one of the poor teenage girls that works there is responsible for entertaining the little ones. "Oh, but it's such a great value! Only $300 for 2 hours of play, cake and songs for up to 12 children!" ... Of course the parents are extra.
Honestly, I think that we are just teaching our kids at younger and younger ages to try to "keep up with the Jonses..."
Really, I'd rather teach my child that she has self worth that is not based on "one-upping" her peers! Maybe I'm just crazy...
So this year, as well as the last couple of years, we've had Lela's party in the park. We went really crazy this year and had it at William R Mason Regional Park in Irvine, where our generous guests had to pay for entry to the park. But the food has always been simple, homemade, and comforting really. This year we BBQ'd hotdogs... weeee! But you know... I decided that I wasn't responsible for everyone's complete day's worth of sustenance! And I got the good hotdogs... all beef!
Anyways, we did preschool type crafts like making caterpillars out of egg cartons. The kids could play at the playground, feed the ducks, or otherwise go nuts for hours! I spent minimal money, and everyone told me what a great party it was! One mom actually told me that it was refreshing to go to a normal party! I took that as a compliment!
I guess it comes down to this... They're so young, they aren't really going to remember let alone appreciate the "all out" party meant to impress the parents of the "friends." Then what will they have to look forward to for real milestones like 10?! Double digits! Let alone 16, 18, or their wedding day!
Let's teach kids that they will be valuable to those who really matter without having to impress them with materials and money.
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