Comments on: The Volcano Experiment: The Mean Mom’s Guide to Birthday Parties http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/the-volcano-experiment-the-mean-moms-guide-to-birthday-parties/ Because sometimes being a parent means doing what's hard. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:48:15 -0800 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Lindsay http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/the-volcano-experiment-the-mean-moms-guide-to-birthday-parties/comment-page-1/#comment-3545 Lindsay Wed, 24 Mar 2010 02:15:07 +0000 http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/?p=130#comment-3545 My little lady is only 3, and for her 2nd and 3rd birthdays, we did birthday book exchanges. All guests are asked to bring a USED book (or puzzle, but no toys) for Charlotte, and get one in return from us. If they have an armload of books they'd like to offload, they bring them all and take a fairly equal armload back. I get to get rid of books that I hate reading (for whatever reason) or that we have duplicates of, and she is taught that for her birthday, we trade things with our friends. I abhor dollar store crap. A mom in our mom group gives goody bags at all of her themed playdates. It's a generous idea, and they sometimes include the $1 books from Target and usually a fruit snack and a juice box, but the plastic men with parachutes that we all remember take labor to assemble and then fall apart before we leave the party. Such a waste of petroleum and money! My little lady is only 3, and for her 2nd and 3rd birthdays, we did birthday book exchanges. All guests are asked to bring a USED book (or puzzle, but no toys) for Charlotte, and get one in return from us. If they have an armload of books they’d like to offload, they bring them all and take a fairly equal armload back. I get to get rid of books that I hate reading (for whatever reason) or that we have duplicates of, and she is taught that for her birthday, we trade things with our friends.

I abhor dollar store crap. A mom in our mom group gives goody bags at all of her themed playdates. It’s a generous idea, and they sometimes include the $1 books from Target and usually a fruit snack and a juice box, but the plastic men with parachutes that we all remember take labor to assemble and then fall apart before we leave the party. Such a waste of petroleum and money!

]]> By: wombat http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/the-volcano-experiment-the-mean-moms-guide-to-birthday-parties/comment-page-1/#comment-304 wombat Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:58:59 +0000 http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/?p=130#comment-304 p.s. I'm not trying to criticize other parents throwing elaborate parties, I'm just glad that I don't have that standard to live up to here, because it's not in my nature to be crafty/creative. In fact, we would love being invited to some because I'm sure my kids would have a blast, just as long as I don't have to throw such parties. p.s. I’m not trying to criticize other parents throwing elaborate parties, I’m just glad that I don’t have that standard to live up to here, because it’s not in my nature to be crafty/creative. In fact, we would love being invited to some because I’m sure my kids would have a blast, just as long as I don’t have to throw such parties.

]]> By: wombat http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/the-volcano-experiment-the-mean-moms-guide-to-birthday-parties/comment-page-1/#comment-303 wombat Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:56:34 +0000 http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/?p=130#comment-303 I've never even had games or activities at my kids' parties, let alone all that other stuff people do. Now I feel like a slacker! I've never even been to a party like that. I live in Alaska, and I think that's probably why the standard party here is grilling reindeer sausage and drinking beer and letting the kids run around the forested acre that everyone has for a yard. You're considered a fancy host if you don't ask your guests to bring a dish to share. Actually, you're considered fancy if you have running water and the guests don't have to use an outhouse. Party favors!?!?! My kids don't even know what they are. My 4 year-old talked about goody bags yesterday and I asked how he knew what that was, considering he's never received one. He had seen it on a video. His birthday party this year was hot dogs, watermelon, homemade cake and the major major treat he picked out: cheetos. The kids ran around in the yard (not fenced) and played with toys and got filthy, and the grownups loosely supervised and drank beer. I felt like I totally caved when I let him buy a 60 cent push pop sucker for each of his guests. Guests are asked not to bring gifts, and we give our family gifts to the children earlier in the day so as not to create a weird spectacle. I want to move away from Alaska because of the harsh winters, but when I hear about how nutty so many parents are elsewhere, I want to stay in the town with no designer clothes and very little judgement and pressure for parents. I’ve never even had games or activities at my kids’ parties, let alone all that other stuff people do. Now I feel like a slacker! I’ve never even been to a party like that. I live in Alaska, and I think that’s probably why the standard party here is grilling reindeer sausage and drinking beer and letting the kids run around the forested acre that everyone has for a yard. You’re considered a fancy host if you don’t ask your guests to bring a dish to share. Actually, you’re considered fancy if you have running water and the guests don’t have to use an outhouse.

Party favors!?!?! My kids don’t even know what they are. My 4 year-old talked about goody bags yesterday and I asked how he knew what that was, considering he’s never received one. He had seen it on a video. His birthday party this year was hot dogs, watermelon, homemade cake and the major major treat he picked out: cheetos. The kids ran around in the yard (not fenced) and played with toys and got filthy, and the grownups loosely supervised and drank beer. I felt like I totally caved when I let him buy a 60 cent push pop sucker for each of his guests. Guests are asked not to bring gifts, and we give our family gifts to the children earlier in the day so as not to create a weird spectacle.

I want to move away from Alaska because of the harsh winters, but when I hear about how nutty so many parents are elsewhere, I want to stay in the town with no designer clothes and very little judgement and pressure for parents.

]]> By: Louisa http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/the-volcano-experiment-the-mean-moms-guide-to-birthday-parties/comment-page-1/#comment-232 Louisa Sun, 09 Aug 2009 05:42:28 +0000 http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/?p=130#comment-232 I hate hate hate the made-in-china-plastic-crap party favor stuffed bags or pinata toys that they come home with that are useless and end up in the landfill......... I hate hate hate the made-in-china-plastic-crap party favor stuffed bags or pinata toys that they come home with that are useless and end up in the landfill………

]]> By: Denise http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/the-volcano-experiment-the-mean-moms-guide-to-birthday-parties/comment-page-1/#comment-98 Denise Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:47:39 +0000 http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/?p=130#comment-98 Thanks for your comment, Shawna! No, I don't think you've been extravagant! Actually, backyard pool parties are beyond awesome. Kudos to you for using what you have rather than shlepping everyone to Chuck E Cheese! It IS hard not to treat our kids, right? Keep reading! Denise Thanks for your comment, Shawna! No, I don’t think you’ve been extravagant! Actually, backyard pool parties are beyond awesome. Kudos to you for using what you have rather than shlepping everyone to Chuck E Cheese!

It IS hard not to treat our kids, right?

Keep reading!
Denise

]]> By: Shawna http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/the-volcano-experiment-the-mean-moms-guide-to-birthday-parties/comment-page-1/#comment-97 Shawna Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:37:54 +0000 http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/?p=130#comment-97 I stumbled upon this posting while I was, you guessed it, planning my own daughter's 3rd birthday and sheepishly admit it- I am the mom who's kid's party favor cost more than the gift received. Okay, not really, but I have spent a lot on each of my daughter's parties- but do not regret a single penny spent on any of it. In my childhood I could only recall two parties where I actually had a "party" complete with a theme and decorations and fun. I vowed before my daughter was born that she would get memorable parties- whether that be her memories or mine. My daughter's 1st birthday was a Backyardigan themed pool party. Her second birthday was an Elmo themed pool party. Personally I was sick of pool parties so this year is a family bowling party. Between the lane rentals, food, cake, and favors- I am well up to $130 dollars. Then there is her actually presents- a $150 dollhouse, a $20 Build A Bear Alligator, and $10 in Disney flip-flops. But I would not say thats too extravagent, would you? I stumbled upon this posting while I was, you guessed it, planning my own daughter’s 3rd birthday and sheepishly admit it- I am the mom who’s kid’s party favor cost more than the gift received. Okay, not really, but I have spent a lot on each of my daughter’s parties- but do not regret a single penny spent on any of it. In my childhood I could only recall two parties where I actually had a “party” complete with a theme and decorations and fun. I vowed before my daughter was born that she would get memorable parties- whether that be her memories or mine.

My daughter’s 1st birthday was a Backyardigan themed pool party.
Her second birthday was an Elmo themed pool party.
Personally I was sick of pool parties so this year is a family bowling party. Between the lane rentals, food, cake, and favors- I am well up to $130 dollars. Then there is her actually presents- a $150 dollhouse, a $20 Build A Bear Alligator, and $10 in Disney flip-flops.

But I would not say thats too extravagent, would you?

]]> By: Sara Aase http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/the-volcano-experiment-the-mean-moms-guide-to-birthday-parties/comment-page-1/#comment-96 Sara Aase Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:34:02 +0000 http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/?p=130#comment-96 Given that we have a small house and my son's birthday is in February (sister, at 2, just got a nice family home party with balloons and cake), we have had just one home party, when he turned 4. (Outdoors is simply not an option.) This year when he turned 5 we had a joint party with friends (their birthdays are within days of each other) at a local firestation. We split the cost of their requested donation, so it ended up costing not much more than $100 each, I think. The kids loved it -- they got a tour and got to ride a rig, and at the end of the party, the men had to go out on a bona fide fire alarm! The previous year this same mom and I hosted another joint party at a park, where they got some open gym time. Renting that party room was even cheaper, like $35-$50 I think. I am not a big fan of party favors, which I don't remember from my childhood! Given that we have a small house and my son’s birthday is in February (sister, at 2, just got a nice family home party with balloons and cake), we have had just one home party, when he turned 4. (Outdoors is simply not an option.) This year when he turned 5 we had a joint party with friends (their birthdays are within days of each other) at a local firestation. We split the cost of their requested donation, so it ended up costing not much more than $100 each, I think. The kids loved it — they got a tour and got to ride a rig, and at the end of the party, the men had to go out on a bona fide fire alarm! The previous year this same mom and I hosted another joint party at a park, where they got some open gym time. Renting that party room was even cheaper, like $35-$50 I think. I am not a big fan of party favors, which I don’t remember from my childhood!

]]> By: kristen http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/the-volcano-experiment-the-mean-moms-guide-to-birthday-parties/comment-page-1/#comment-93 kristen Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:04:51 +0000 http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/?p=130#comment-93 I am not a fan of birthday parties, and truly dislike the impersonal invite-the-whole-class approach. But, that said, I have given my son a party for each of his 7 birthdays to date. We've stuck pretty close to the 5 kids in the backyard routine, but when he turned 7, we upped the ante with 12 kids at an indoor arcade. He had a great time, the party was still small, but a little more special than balloons and streamers on the patio. I have, however, informed him that the cut-off for kid parties is 8. I figure he'll want something even more special this year, but then I'm done. He can invite one best friend to pizza and a movie when he turns 9. I am not a fan of birthday parties, and truly dislike the impersonal invite-the-whole-class approach. But, that said, I have given my son a party for each of his 7 birthdays to date. We’ve stuck pretty close to the 5 kids in the backyard routine, but when he turned 7, we upped the ante with 12 kids at an indoor arcade. He had a great time, the party was still small, but a little more special than balloons and streamers on the patio. I have, however, informed him that the cut-off for kid parties is 8. I figure he’ll want something even more special this year, but then I’m done. He can invite one best friend to pizza and a movie when he turns 9.

]]> By: Confessions of a Mean Mommy » Blog Archive » What’s In Your Toybox? http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/the-volcano-experiment-the-mean-moms-guide-to-birthday-parties/comment-page-1/#comment-84 Confessions of a Mean Mommy » Blog Archive » What’s In Your Toybox? Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:28:23 +0000 http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/?p=130#comment-84 [...] about 90-95% — were gifts. (That number got a big bump up after I threw the boys their first kid-birthday party last [...] [...] about 90-95% — were gifts. (That number got a big bump up after I threw the boys their first kid-birthday party last [...]

]]> By: Jessica http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/the-volcano-experiment-the-mean-moms-guide-to-birthday-parties/comment-page-1/#comment-62 Jessica Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:09:12 +0000 http://www.confessionsofameanmommy.com/?p=130#comment-62 I think everyone is afraid (or some other adjective like too tired, too busy?) to host a kid party at home. I am one of only three moms I know who regularly hosts birthday parties at home. I have been so surprised by this that I started a secondary blog about why homemade parties are better, but alas, I am a tired, busy mom and my main blog is time-consuming enough. Yet, I never stop thinking about my party blog. I am so excited to find a like-minded individual out here, I have only found one other to date and that is www.snapparties.com who makes non-licensed-character party kits. I kind of laugh at Facebook status updates bemoaning another afternoon spent at Chuck E. Cheese. I have not set foot in one yet. My kid has heard of it, recognizes the signage but knows how I feel. No overinflated-in-every-way parties for us, although the idea of a one-stop-shop of a party has tempted me for brief moments. I think we've gotten way off course with the birthday parties these days. My neglected party blog's tagline was "memorable parties are handmade, homemade and worth the effort." I will always believe that. Sorry for the novel but this is a topic near & dear to my mommy heart. Jess neglected blog: Wee Festivity I think everyone is afraid (or some other adjective like too tired, too busy?) to host a kid party at home. I am one of only three moms I know who regularly hosts birthday parties at home. I have been so surprised by this that I started a secondary blog about why homemade parties are better, but alas, I am a tired, busy mom and my main blog is time-consuming enough. Yet, I never stop thinking about my party blog.

I am so excited to find a like-minded individual out here, I have only found one other to date and that is http://www.snapparties.com who makes non-licensed-character party kits.

I kind of laugh at Facebook status updates bemoaning another afternoon spent at Chuck E. Cheese. I have not set foot in one yet. My kid has heard of it, recognizes the signage but knows how I feel. No overinflated-in-every-way parties for us, although the idea of a one-stop-shop of a party has tempted me for brief moments. I think we’ve gotten way off course with the birthday parties these days.

My neglected party blog’s tagline was “memorable parties are handmade, homemade and worth the effort.” I will always believe that. Sorry for the novel but this is a topic near & dear to my mommy heart.

Jess
neglected blog: Wee Festivity

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