I am starting to think the school birthday parties are getting out of hand. My daughter does not attend school yet, but a friend of mine...her daughter recently turned 4. She had a small family gathering at one of the pizza places. The day of her daughter's actual birthday, she bought the kids in the class pizza, drinks and a cake. My first thought was, whatever happened to just bringing in cup cakes or a cake for the special day. Then i found out...she sent invitations home for all of the classmates and the classmates brought in gifts for the birthday girl.
Is this common practice these days? I am thinking this could get very expensive when my daughter does start school.
Clarification - when this is done in your childs class, do you feel obligated to buy the birthday girl/boy a gift? I would definitely feel obligated to buy them a gift for a couple of reason. How much do other mothers typically spend on gifts in these types of situations?
just~me
At my son's school in
At my son's school in Prescott we did bring pizza and cookies for lunch on his birthday once, and other parents had done the same. We never sent "invitations" though. We arranged ahead with the teacher and she would send a note home with the kids so the parents wouldn't pack a lunch that day. A couple kids brought gifts on their own which I thought was sweet though totally unsolicited. I would not try to make lunchtime a "Party" at school, because it just isn't enough time, the kids really need to run around and get their playtime in, and I would be surprised if the classroom teacher approved this!
Susan & Neil Hampton have three spectacular children, Alexander, Isabel and David, plus one amazing teenager, Eric. Susan does community outreach for arizonamoms.com.
“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” - Margaret Atwood
At my daughter's preschool
At my daughter's preschool they allow you to bring in a healthy snack/treat for the class, but that's about the extent of it. I've never before you stated have heard of anyone bringing in that much to school for the class. I've also never heard of the entire class each bringing a gift for the birthday girl/boy. I'm sure this isn't the norm in actual schools, i.e. when you are in primary school.
I think as your children
I think as your children gets older you will see lots of different things that are probably not common. Just do what you feel is the right thing to do and not to compete with the "Jones". There are always the parents out there that need to continually prove themselves, whether it is with birthday parties, treats ect or trying to raise some kind of bar they feel others should reach for or to just feel better about themselves. As long as you do what your heart and or your gut tells you, you will be fine.
We don't keep up with the Jones. My girls know they are loved and don't need to buy others to accomplish this.
KarilouMomof2 is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Tempe. Her daughters are 9 and 6.
I bet the teacher
I bet the teacher appreciates moms that go out and beyond to make the class a positive experience. My husband and I must disagree with your opinion. School is a very positive atmosphere and moms that go out of their way to show the children a good day is a BIG PLUS from us, especially when its so difficult to get parents involved in the classroom. I can't believe that moms get dogged for making a day special for the entire class.
One Happy Mom in Arizona.
I think it's out of control
I think it's out of control for lots of reasons. We just bring in cupcakes, but I wish they wanted you to bring a healhty snack because my child would feel totally ripped off if he brought apple slices for his birthday when the other kids got cake! And I certainly don't want my child thinking he gets 20 presents every year. Like he or we need all that. Strange!
Brooke Romney is an unbalanced mom of three young boys who constantly has too much to do, and too little time. She writes the Mom Beat column for The Gilbert Republic.
It the teacher approves it,
It the teacher approves it, the parents have the money and time, and the child wants to celebrate with his/her classroom, why not?
I don't see this as strange. I see it as a mom that wants to really go out and celebrate the childs birthday. The more the better is what I've always heard. It can be no worse than parents spending hundreds of dollars on prom dresses.
I think its very thoughtful that a mom would go through that much trouble and buy food for the entire class.
I think we need more moms like this!!! I think she must have a big heart!!
I believe in eating healthy, but I also believe in having fun. Let the children enjoy a great moment for once.
One Happy Mom in Arizona.
you are absolutely right
you are absolutely right about her having a big heart!! She truly does.
I guess i was thinking more along the lines of having to buy each child in my daughters class a birthday gift.
If a parent wants to do this for their child, that's fine with me. But do other parents have to buy each child in the class a birthday gift when the parent does this? I would think my daughter would feel horrible going into class being the only one not to bring a gift. So, of course i would have to buy a gift.
just~me
It is totally the parents
It is totally the parents decision to buy a gift. The smallest gift to a child can mean the most. It can be pencils, 5.00 gift cert. to McDonalds, or a bracelet out of the gumball machine. Kids just love receiving gifts.
One Happy Mom in Arizona.
good ideas - Thanks! ;0)
good ideas - Thanks! ;0)
just~me