Opening presents during a birthday party versus after

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am curious, why are all you parents at these parties? I drop my kids off at parties and our parties are drop off too. Where are these parties that parents stay the whole time? Talk about a LAME party. I bet the parents run to Target and grab the first thing they can find and don't include the child in the gift giving anyway.

Maybe you need to let the kids do what feels right for them. My kids and their circle of friends like opening presents so we do. They like picking gifts out that are fun and I like the rare sightings of manners on both sides during this process. Sometimes my oldest will go to a party that they don't open presents and she pulls the child aside to open it before she leaves. Only once was a child told she was not allowed and that was fine. For the most part kids want to open presents and thank people in person.

See...rare sighting of manners. I don't take my kids to pick out birthday presents. We have parties 3-4 times a month. I typically buy 3-4 of the same thing for that month from online.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Things said at these parties:

Bday boy: "I love this! Remember when we played this Johnny, at your house". Kid next to me to his mother: Mom, I've never been to John's house.

Bday boy: wow, thanks I LOVE it. (Even though he got 3 of the same thing.

Bday boy to my son 2 seconds before he opened presents: "Spider-Man is for babies!" And of course my son had picked out a Spider-Man gift for him..

So no, kids don't love watching your kid open gifts. My kids are well mannered and not self absorbed, before someone misjudges.

They don't have to like it-just like they don't have to attend.

But they do have to be gracious, kind enough, and taught that it is NOT about them.

Teach your children to celebrate others and respect that people do things differently .

How hard is that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Things said at these parties:

Bday boy: "I love this! Remember when we played this Johnny, at your house". Kid next to me to his mother: Mom, I've never been to John's house.

Bday boy: wow, thanks I LOVE it. (Even though he got 3 of the same thing.

Bday boy to my son 2 seconds before he opened presents: "Spider-Man is for babies!" And of course my son had picked out a Spider-Man gift for him..

So no, kids don't love watching your kid open gifts. My kids are well mannered and not self absorbed, before someone misjudges.

They don't have to like it-just like they don't have to attend.

But they do have to be gracious, kind enough, and taught that it is NOT about them.

Teach your children to celebrate others and respect that people do things differently .

How hard is that?

I am responding to the OP's question. How should I respond to my son re: the Spider-man gift?

[Anonymous]

I grew up going to birthday parties with gifts being opened. Same with some baby showers. Personally, in our family, gifts were not opened in front of guests. It doesn't bother me either way and I don't think it defines whether someone is tacky or not for doing something you wouldn't do. Can't we all be nicer to each other?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Things said at these parties:

Bday boy: "I love this! Remember when we played this Johnny, at your house". Kid next to me to his mother: Mom, I've never been to John's house.

Bday boy: wow, thanks I LOVE it. (Even though he got 3 of the same thing.

Bday boy to my son 2 seconds before he opened presents: "Spider-Man is for babies!" And of course my son had picked out a Spider-Man gift for him..

So no, kids don't love watching your kid open gifts. My kids are well mannered and not self absorbed, before someone misjudges.

They don't have to like it-just like they don't have to attend.

But they do have to be gracious, kind enough, and taught that it is NOT about them.

Teach your children to celebrate others and respect that people do things differently .

How hard is that?

I am responding to the OP's question. How should I respond to my son re: the Spider-man gift?

Tell DC it's the thought that counts and you think he did a great job choosing a gift but
B Boy doesn't like Spiderman anymore. Next time you'll be sure to find out what birthday boy likes beforehand.
Hopefully B Boys parents will say something as well. They usually do.
I am a BTDT parent. (Kids in and near college). And I have never heard an unkind remark during the gifts opening at any of the 20+ parties I've attended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Things said at these parties:

Bday boy: "I love this! Remember when we played this Johnny, at your house". Kid next to me to his mother: Mom, I've never been to John's house.

Bday boy: wow, thanks I LOVE it. (Even though he got 3 of the same thing.

Bday boy to my son 2 seconds before he opened presents: "Spider-Man is for babies!" And of course my son had picked out a Spider-Man gift for him..

So no, kids don't love watching your kid open gifts. My kids are well mannered and not self absorbed, before someone misjudges.

They don't have to like it-just like they don't have to attend.

But they do have to be gracious, kind enough, and taught that it is NOT about them.

Teach your children to celebrate others and respect that people do things differently .

How hard is that?

I am responding to the OP's question. How should I respond to my son re: the Spider-man gift?

Tell DC it's the thought that counts and you think he did a great job choosing a gift but
B Boy doesn't like Spiderman anymore. Next time you'll be sure to find out what birthday boy likes beforehand.
Hopefully B Boys parents will say something as well. They usually do.
I am a BTDT parent. (Kids in and near college). And I have never heard an unkind remark during the gifts opening at any of the 20+ parties I've attended.

I haven't as well. No matter the gift, the bday kid's parents make a big deal about how nice the gift is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Things said at these parties:

Bday boy: "I love this! Remember when we played this Johnny, at your house". Kid next to me to his mother: Mom, I've never been to John's house.

Bday boy: wow, thanks I LOVE it. (Even though he got 3 of the same thing.

Bday boy to my son 2 seconds before he opened presents: "Spider-Man is for babies!" And of course my son had picked out a Spider-Man gift for him..

So no, kids don't love watching your kid open gifts. My kids are well mannered and not self absorbed, before someone misjudges.

They don't have to like it-just like they don't have to attend.

But they do have to be gracious, kind enough, and taught that it is NOT about them.

Teach your children to celebrate others and respect that people do things differently .

How hard is that?

I am responding to the OP's question. How should I respond to my son re: the Spider-man gift?

Tell DC it's the thought that counts and you think he did a great job choosing a gift but
B Boy doesn't like Spiderman anymore. Next time you'll be sure to find out what birthday boy likes beforehand.
Hopefully B Boys parents will say something as well. They usually do.
I am a BTDT parent. (Kids in and near college). And I have never heard an unkind remark during the gifts opening at any of the 20+ parties I've attended.

I haven't as well. No matter the gift, the bday kid's parents make a big deal about how nice the gift is.

These 'parents' love to make mountains out of mole hills. Their children would be better served if they taught them to respect differences-and that everything is not about them

[Anonymous]

It's no wonder the kids are too high strung and stressed. When the world doesn't bend to them-a kid can't even enjoy opening gifts at their own party-they can't handle it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's no wonder the kids are too high strung and stressed. When the world doesn't bend to them-a kid can't even enjoy opening gifts at their own party-they can't handle it

I agree. When we grew up parties were at the house. You played basic games, had some cake, kool-aid and took turns handing your friend a present to open. Parents weren't there. Kids had fun. The End.

It is so sad how how loud and unfriendly parties are. I miss the toned-down personable parties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Things said at these parties:

Bday boy: "I love this! Remember when we played this Johnny, at your house". Kid next to me to his mother: Mom, I've never been to John's house.

Bday boy: wow, thanks I LOVE it. (Even though he got 3 of the same thing.

Bday boy to my son 2 seconds before he opened presents: "Spider-Man is for babies!" And of course my son had picked out a Spider-Man gift for him..

So no, kids don't love watching your kid open gifts. My kids are well mannered and not self absorbed, before someone misjudges.

They don't have to like it-just like they don't have to attend.

But they do have to be gracious, kind enough, and taught that it is NOT about them.

Teach your children to celebrate others and respect that people do things differently .

How hard is that?

I am responding to the OP's question. How should I respond to my son re: the Spider-man gift?

Tell DC it's the thought that counts and you think he did a great job choosing a gift but
B Boy doesn't like Spiderman anymore. Next time you'll be sure to find out what birthday boy likes beforehand.
Hopefully B Boys parents will say something as well. They usually do.
I am a BTDT parent. (Kids in and near college). And I have never heard an unkind remark during the gifts opening at any of the 20+ parties I've attended.

I haven't as well. No matter the gift, the bday kid's parents make a big deal about how nice the gift is.

These 'parents' love to make mountains out of mole hills. Their children would be better served if they taught them to respect differences-and that everything is not about them

What are you talking about??? The parents aren't making 'mountains out of molehills' but trying to show that every gift is special.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Things said at these parties:

Bday boy: "I love this! Remember when we played this Johnny, at your house". Kid next to me to his mother: Mom, I've never been to John's house.

Bday boy: wow, thanks I LOVE it. (Even though he got 3 of the same thing.

Bday boy to my son 2 seconds before he opened presents: "Spider-Man is for babies!" And of course my son had picked out a Spider-Man gift for him..

So no, kids don't love watching your kid open gifts. My kids are well mannered and not self absorbed, before someone misjudges.

They don't have to like it-just like they don't have to attend.

But they do have to be gracious, kind enough, and taught that it is NOT about them.

Teach your children to celebrate others and respect that people do things differently .

How hard is that?

I am responding to the OP's question. How should I respond to my son re: the Spider-man gift?

Tell DC it's the thought that counts and you think he did a great job choosing a gift but
B Boy doesn't like Spiderman anymore. Next time you'll be sure to find out what birthday boy likes beforehand.
Hopefully B Boys parents will say something as well. They usually do.
I am a BTDT parent. (Kids in and near college). And I have never heard an unkind remark during the gifts opening at any of the 20+ parties I've attended.

I haven't as well. No matter the gift, the bday kid's parents make a big deal about how nice the gift is.

These 'parents' love to make mountains out of mole hills. Their children would be better served if they taught them to respect differences-and that everything is not about them

What are you talking about??? The parents aren't making 'mountains out of molehills' but trying to show that every gift is special.

The "parents" who actually expect the host to care that their particular child COMPLAINS when they have to watch THE BIRTHDAY CHILD (you know, the one the party is really about?) open gifts.

So the hell what? A real parent would teach their child to be gracious and to celebrate others. "Parents" in this thread actually think hosts should rethink the gift opening because their child complained. SICK.

Douche bags in training those kids are.

[Anonymous]

Just finished reading this thread. Different strokes for different folks. I can say that my three children do not enjoy watching their friends open birthday presents. They tolerate it. They don't open their presents In front of others either. I will add that I think it is interesting when posters talks about manners and being selfless and then also call kids douches in the making. I'd be more concerned about raising a kid whose parent thinks calling other kids names and labeling them over an incident like what they prefer regarding present opening than how how they feel about present opening in the presence of others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just finished reading this thread. Different strokes for different folks. I can say that my three children do not enjoy watching their friends open birthday presents. They tolerate it. They don't open their presents In front of others either. I will add that I think it is interesting when posters talks about manners and being selfless and then also call kids douches in the making. I'd be more concerned about raising a kid whose parent thinks calling other kids names and labeling them over an incident like what they prefer regarding present opening than how how they feel about present opening in the presence of others.

I'm sure you would. After all your kids don't enjoy seeing others celebrated in the way they (the hosts) seem fit . They can only. 'Tolerate ' it . If you were smart you 'd be more concerned about your children's attitudes than anonymous posts on a message board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just finished reading this thread. Different strokes for different folks. I can say that my three children do not enjoy watching their friends open birthday presents. They tolerate it. They don't open their presents In front of others either. I will add that I think it is interesting when posters talks about manners and being selfless and then also call kids douches in the making. I'd be more concerned about raising a kid whose parent thinks calling other kids names and labeling them over an incident like what they prefer regarding present opening than how how they feel about present opening in the presence of others.

I'm sure you would. After all your kids don't enjoy seeing others celebrated in the way they (the hosts) seem fit . They can only. 'Tolerate ' it . If you were smart you 'd be more concerned about your children's attitudes than anonymous posts on a message board.

NP here: thanks, mom(not). You are annoying, judgmental, and on a high horse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just finished reading this thread. Different strokes for different folks. I can say that my three children do not enjoy watching their friends open birthday presents. They tolerate it. They don't open their presents In front of others either. I will add that I think it is interesting when posters talks about manners and being selfless and then also call kids douches in the making. I'd be more concerned about raising a kid whose parent thinks calling other kids names and labeling them over an incident like what they prefer regarding present opening than how how they feel about present opening in the presence of others.

I'm sure you would. After all your kids don't enjoy seeing others celebrated in the way they (the hosts) seem fit . They can only. 'Tolerate ' it . If you were smart you 'd be more concerned about your children's attitudes than anonymous posts on a message board.

NP here: thanks, mom(not). You are annoying, judgmental, and on a high horse.

So what? At least my children know to be gracious enough not to complain about how a person conducts their own birthday party.