ouch..hosting these birthday parties is expensive!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS turned 7 and every year I say the same thing, these parties are so expensive by the time I rent the party/play space, get pizza, cake and snacks! but it's fun for our son and we celebrate his baby sister birthday at the same party. Does anyone else feel like this? I am not hurting for money but geez, now I know why my parents never had friend parties and just had family celebrate at the house growing up! Good thing this is a once a year event!

Sounds like your parents were level headed and refused to be followers and braggers.

Translation: This responder is passively aggressively calling you a follower and a braggart.

Well, she has a point. This is self inflicted suffering. You do not need to have a birthday party. You simply don't. If you don't like doing it, you're only doing it to put on a show for others. The End.

Um, how about that you're doing it for your kid??? If all the other kids are having their birthday parties at cool bounce house places and you're just having yours at your house or park without even an entertainer, the kid is going to feel embarrassed and lame. Don't pretend that kids in this age group (6-12) don't notice these things.

Right. And all the other kids are going to Europe for their summer vacations. And have brand new iphones. And get new cars when they turn 16. I guess you'll be doing all of the above so that little billy doesn't feel embarrassed and lame, and then coming to DCUM to complain about how you won't be able to retire until you're 75, if at all.

[Anonymous]

We have been to and held both types of parties - the ones where you pay apla e to host and ones at homes with activities. I think most families choose the venue one, not to show off, but for ease of planning, and cleaning.

Another option is just have your child pick a few friends and do something like go to the movies. This type of thing gets more common as they get older.