Do your own thing - Kids Parties Addition

Children's birthday parties can be an emotional, financial and confusing nightmare. But they don't have to be. 

You can put in as much or as little effort as you or your budget can afford. Will your child remember the exact places and people in attendance of their parties when they are 21? Probably not. Will they remember that they enjoyed themselves with those they actually want to spend time with. More likely. 

There are those families who will always invite the whole class to a soft play centre or bouncy castle place and everyone has a ton of food and presents galore and party bags for all. That's fine. 

There are those families who invite a few friends round to their house for a large play date with a bit of cake and a party bag. Also perfectly fine. 

Families who don't invite anyone to anything and spend their money on their child. All good here. 

Families who cannot afford to join in or throw a party. Which is sad for them, but there should be no pressure put upon them to join in or throw a party.

The best parties my son has ever had have been the ones he's had at home with 4 friends. He can see all of them properly, have a good giggle and we have tailored it around a theme of his choosing. 

Every family has to make decisions to suit their budget, their circumstances and their child. No-one should feel pressure to keep up with the Jones' and invite everyone in the class just because everyone else has done it. Just be firm. This is what I can afford or what my child wants so that is what we will do. 

So, my best piece of advice for kids parties is the same as my grandmother used to say: "Do your own thing!"

Until next time

Xx

        Photo by 

Ylanite Koppens