How often do people throw birthday bashes for their child(ren)?

Don't feel guilty for reining in the madness. No, I did not have a birthday party every year growing up. My girls might have one every other year. We have had ones where they can invite 4 children and we go to the movies, come home for pizza and a pinata and be done with it. Other years we have done Pump it Up or other things like that.

My soon to be 6 year old has had her birthday at Disneyland the last 2 years because her dance group performs during spring break. This year she gets her 2nd "big" party. We have rented a jumpy and spin art and 3 girls from school and about 4 girls from dance are coming over.

I will admit that last year when our now 8 year old had her birthday party ( it was at Pump it Up), I said no more. I would rather spend the money on a family vacation or something else. It felt out of control. She knows she is not getting a "party".

I do have a girlfriend who goes over the top every year for both of her children. To each their own. I have never felt the need to keep up with the Jones's.

KarilouMomof2 is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Tempe. Her daughters are 9 and 6.

Between my husband and I, we have 5 kids and we actually lucked out...the two oldest are a year and 6 days apart and the two youngest are 2 years and 1 day apart (crazy, I know). This makes planning parties pretty easy (right now we only have to plan 3 a year). I think it just depends on the people and how many kids you have. We obviously have a big family (both my husband and my parents are divorced) so we usually have about 20 at a family party (this weekend's party will consist of about 35-40). This year was also the first year I allowed my kids to invite other kids from school (I usually take a cake or cupcakes to the school for them instead). Oh and before I got married, we only had b-day parties every other year. I'll have to see how I feel around August if it will be "Party Year," two yeart in a row. I will say that we do celebrate w/ family regardless though every b-day.

"It's not to late to become who you've always wanted to be..."

People feel differently about this topic as well, but I don't think that moms should be judged for either throwing a party or not throwing one.

We love parties. I don't buy my kids toys all the time, but we splurge on birthdays, with a party. One kid's birthday is in June, so we have a pool party and invite his class. The other is in Nov, so we head to a park. This keeps the cost down, so that we can hire a party entertainer. Then, I have fun getting creative with invitations, food, goody bags, activities, etc.

My kids remember a magical day. I enjoy a magical day, that celebrates and reminds me of the wonder and awe that I felt the day that they were born.

I don't coordinate the details (costumed character Cleopatra, mummy dogs to eat, invitations shaped like pyramids, dig for artifacts in the sand and then paint plaster of paris King Tuts, before swimming in the Nile River) to impress anyone. We do it because it's just plain fun! My kids LOVE getting creative too. We're currrently painting a wall sized paper with a London cityscape for a Mystery party. I'd hate to imagine that other moms would think that I'm trying to "up the ante"...we just enjoy ourselves.

"Only a life lived for others, is the life worthwhile" - Albert Einstein

I am with Optimist. We will have a party every year until my son says that he waants something else. I love to throw a big shindig to celebrate the day he blessed our lives. I think every kid should have a celebration in their honor every year. However, the way the family chooses to do it shouldn't be judged.

I have a birthday party every other year. Last time, I made the mistake of inviting 15 pre-school children to Peter Piper Pizza . . . . I seriously think I've been traumatized!!! Now, no more than 5 kids, and I'll do that every other year. In the off years, we have a nice family celebration with grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc. Don't feel guilty - you don't have to keep up with the Jones :)

I'm another mommy that loves birthday parties. I enjoy going to them, and I love to plan them. It's nothing about impressing anyone, I just love to find cute favors, pick a theme, and I always make the cake. I scrapbook too, so part of the fun is putting the photos in their book later. We do a party every year for our 2 kids, but we have no family in town, so we like to celebrate with our friends. I do have some friends that prefer a quiet dinner with the family for their children's birthdays. So, do whatever feels right to you!

Hobbymommy, 38, is a discussion leader from Mesa. She is a happy stay-at-home mommy to a 3-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old son.

My son will be 5 in August and this will be his first birthday party ever. After this party he probably will not have another bash until he turns 7.

We have had cake and ice cream with family at home but never a full blown party. However, we do celebrate his birthday by going on special outings, last year it was to see Go Diego Go! Live. To be honest the total cost for the outings and the cost for a party, depending on your budget, pretty much comes out the same.