Birthday Parties

[LisaHarman]

Do you think that children should have a birthday party every year.

the kids think they are entitled to have a party every year but we feel different and are trying to come to a compramise.

Cassandra who is 8 has had a total of 4 parties so far.

Joshua who is 7 has only had 1 - we feel sorry for him as he is born on the 31st December and there are always things on preventing him from having his birthday party. this year though he is getting one in November.

bianka who is 3 has had none.. no one to invite she doesnt participate in anything to have friends.

so we are trying to say regardless if we have money that we feel the kids should only get a birthday party perhaps every 2nd year. is this unfair?

I never had a party when I was growing up, just the good ol' home made cake and siblings; do kids just expect to have everything.

sometimes I feel like I never know what to do..lol

[Patricia]

I have to admit my kids have had birthday parties every year.

To make things worse I have made a rod for my own back by always making my own snacks like sausage rolls etc...now they and their friends insist that I make them all everytime....LMAO

I can relate to poor Joshua..my b/day is Xmas Eve..I think having it in November is a great idea.

[Kekka]

Every year!! You're a kid for such a brief time.

I still have a little gathering (or a few) for my birthday each year. :D

[kezabelle]

I didn't have a birthday party as a kid, so I was so excited to be able to give my kids one each year - and now they expect it. The last couple of years I have found them to be more exhausting. My son's last birthday he opted to go to WetnWild instead of the party - so much easier! We just had a family day (his brithday was saturday) and the day before I took a cake to school for the class - perfect easy option! My DD's last birthdya we were at a wedding in the town we used to live in so she had a surprise party with her old freinds - also great, but hard to organise. This year she wants to go to Sea World I think. You haev to love those theme parks as an option! :)

[LisaHarman]

having a theme park as an option would be ideal..

the kids always do the cakes to school thing but never the party every year.. it also depends on my mood.

think I might have to change some things around and perhaps let them have a party a year.. who knows.. we shall see...lol

[Heather]

It depends...does the parent want to entertain a bunch of noisy, hyped up little dears each year?...we won't talk about families with multiple children.
I am lucky....my son's best friend is 5 hours older than he and we have all known each other since the boys were 6 weeks old. My GF and I take turns hosting a joint party for them both each year....altho' I don't know what is going to happen for their 21st.

[miss kiki]

see, i think it's too much, but i guess that's because i only had 2 birthday parties my whole life..not including little parties with family and cake. just with friends, so i haven't had much fun i suppose! LOL. but i was never upset over it or anything. except the fact that i didn't go all out for my 21st, but that's ok, lol.
the kids have a party every year. i can't really say much and say no to a party, because i'm not their mother and that's something they've been doing every year since they were born i think. last year we invited their whole class, which was alot! so this year they're both having their very own first sleepovers with 3 people max to invite. :yes: should be interesting and fun! so i'll stay with the girls, DF will stay with the boys, and everyone's happy and it won't be too stressful as it was having like 15 kids over for a couple hours. yeah right!!!

[PreSchool Mama]

Definitely every year!

Think of it this way. Pretty soon they'll be all grown up and will want to celebrate their birthdays and all other special occasions with their own gang of friends. No Mom and Dad to spoil the fun.

Enjoy it now while it lasts!:)

[crashtestwoman]

Okay now I feel like a really bad mum. My kids get a party for there 1st birthday, their first year at school birthday (with all the class) there 13th birthday and then not again untill there 18th birthday. Each year with have a barbie and they can invite one of there best friends but that's it.

[Supa]

Deb dont feel bad my kids dont get one every year either. The last one they had they only had 3 friends but it was a sleep over party. They decided that was what they wanted. They have asked for a small party this year & I am thinking the bowling alley perhaps.

[leelee]

My older ones had a party every year til 10,then it was just a few mates to the pictures or bowling, 13,16 and 18 again some sort of party, not looking forward to next year when i have to organise a 21st though:hehe:
i will be doing the same for my lil chicks too. it all depends on what budget you have of course. (i am actually needing to pop up a post myself about needing advice for my dd's 1st bday :tyeo:)
i hardly ever had parties when i was growing up but i wanted it that way :blink:

[miss kiki]

that's a good idea though-the bowling alley with a couple friends, etc.
i really didn't do much with my friends for my b'day though. one year we went to a restaurant, another year we went to a cafe. other than that, i always either stayed home or went out with my boyfriend and that's pretty much it. every year i'd have cake with my family though. :yes:

[LisaHarman]

oh it looks like I am not the only one that doesnt do it every year.. I think it falls down to what we all feel is best.

thanks everyone for your input.

[kezabelle]

I wouldn't feel bad at all Lisa - I know many parents who don't have a party every year and think I'm crazy because I always have (except that last one :))

[lucyloo]

Lisa, it is up to you as the parent to decide, not anyone else.
I, myself, didn't have any parties ever to celebrate my birthday, only when I got married, and my husband gave me a 21st surprise party!!:D
In saying all that, my kiddies do get a party every year, but each to their own!!:) I don't think there is any right or wrong answer!!