My buddy and favorite mentor mom advises:
What does it mean for birthdays? My husband and I have consulted our older wise parents and have had deep discussions about our own official family birthday policy. how big are they? who will be invited? How many gifts do we give our children? We knew that whatever we did in the beginning, we had to or wanted to do for the rest. , can it be reached when the income is less and the time is less?
American parents face the problem of controlling overdose. In parts of Africa, a child may be hungry and he may only have one or two of his prized toys. Here we are confronted with childhood obesity and a room filled with toys that have never been used. We may laugh or feel guilty about these conundrums, but they are the real questions – first world or not.
Birthdays are a great time to teach children how to appreciate what they have, whether it’s health, family, or friends. And throwing in a few new gifts is fine. But I want kids to say thank you for something as simple as a dinosaur balloon from a 100-yen store.And honestly the problem is weWe adore our children and are tempted to show our love by showering them with the best parties, countless drive-thru meals and impulse purchases at Target.
Here are some ideas to help parents tame birthday party madness and teach their kids hard-won life lessons. This is worth more than anything you can buy with a credit card.
Come on, blow it up for the first birthday. My theory is that first birthdays are all about mom and dad. We invite family and friends (my daughter recently had about 40 guests for her), provide meals and adult beverages, and sing. , eat cupcakes, and open presents. I usually buy new clothes for my kids and myself. You can’t spoil a 1 year old.
Then find a way to dial down. One family we know only throws a milestone number party. 5, 10, 16. There will be a quiet family dinner in between, and the children will receive their favorite meal and gifts. This is a tradition that we would like to adopt. Another family we know throws parties with friends for birthdays on odd years and family celebrations on even years. The number of children will be decided according to the age of the children (3 children for 3 years old, 7 children for 7 years old). All of these ideas can help you manage expectations and keep things from getting out of hand.
go retro. Think back to party games like musical chairs from your youth, says Simon. How about having a tea party with the dolls? Or a backyard scavenger hunt? Experiment with art projects. In the never-ending world of bounce houses, these tactics should look novel.
Put away extra toys before birthdays and holidays. Is your child’s playroom or bedroom a calming place to let their imagination run wild? Or do they crash into toy kitchens and piles of stuffed animals when they run? Find a way to keep track of your toys before you do. Maybe save his third of the toys for future rotation. Alternatively, have the children pick out some toys to clean.
Use an online wishlist. Creating a wish list reduces surprises and difficulties in gift giving, but I think it’s especially helpful for family and friends who live far away or are busy. You know your child is obsessed with ladybugs and trucks without having to buy a specific item from the list. As your kids grow up, you can make lists together to teach them the difference between what they need, what they want, and what they really want.
Give your children what they need. Presents were practical necessities such as socks, books, and soccer balls. Bring back these ideas. Things are special if you say so. Try special patterned foot pajamas or a book on your favorite theme. Put a bunch of art supplies on that wish list, or that expensive calculator you need for school. That’s it.
Find used items. A new gift for your child is just as cool as a gift wrapped in plastic. If you can’t afford to buy a train table outright, just think how cool it would be if you put the time and effort into finding a used table that looks like new. Or you can spend months searching through piles of used books on your child’s favorite subject. It teaches frugality and creativity at the same time.
give experience. Especially if you have multiple kids and a house full of toys, it might be time to offer your grandparents a family pass to the zoo or a National Geographic Kids subscription. Dance and music lessons are also good ideas.
Choose the number and type of gifts your parents will give you. My husband and I haven’t decided on how many gifts to give, but in the end it’s good to limit ourselves. , limited to what you wear and what you read. This can be easily converted to your date of birth. Don’t forget to limit the gifts given during birthdays, too. Developing your child’s personality is worth the wait.
Roberts is a freelance writer. You can reach her at www.lindseymroberts.com.
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