Over Compensation


When I was a kid I never had birthday parties. Grandma believed that birthdays were a time for family only, which was just her and uncle Jerry, and mom if she was around. Likewise I wasn’t allowed to go to any other kid’s birthday parties. Grandma felt that if I went to theirs then it would be required that we have a party to invite them to. And since she didn’t want to have parties, I never went to other’s.

Perhaps that’s the reason why I just wiped out my paypal account for E’s birthday. He’s starting to understand things like parties and birthdays and is asking about then whens and wheres. So I just blew $56 on him in birthday fun supplies. I haven’t even started on balloons, or food, or the cake yet.

Heaven help me, but I’m having fun!

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Published by: Summer on January 24th, 2007 | Filed under life



3 Responses to “Over Compensation”

  1. The Maven Says:
    January 25th, 2007 at 3:28 pm

    Have a blast, mama! Birthday parties are so fun! Just don’t fall into the typical mom trap of feeling like you have to out-do yourself every year.

    We started doing that with Intrepid and quickly learned that it was a slippery slope. Now we kind of mix it up a bit. Last year he had a big party with eight friends at a local science and tech museum. This year we had a “quieter” (hah!) birthday party at our house with a few of his friends, a movie and some pizza. It helps us not go overboard to do it that way.

    However, I now want to see pictures of what you purchased! Please share when the stuff comes in. Thanks :P

  2. Christine Says:
    January 25th, 2007 at 5:49 pm

    We have the “amount per child” budgeted. When the kids are really young, we decide how the money is spent. However, now the older two get to the spending of their own party and gift. We lay it out in front of them. Do they want a big gift and small party or small gift/big party? How can we make things to save money on the party? Do you want tons of friends or just family? For years, my son wanted only us and his grandparents - we went to eat at his favorite restaurant - which was full of TV screens and sports decorations - and on your birthday you always got a giant chocolately something-or-other - those were the easy years! ha!

    Mac planned hers out really well this year. She wanted a guitar (very cheap one from Wally World). Then, we made our own invitations, are handing them out and only spending money on cake/prizes for the party.

    I had one birthday party growing up, that I recall. I was 13 and it was a slumber party. That was it. I begged for that one. It just wasn’t something that we did. So I tell my kids that they can always have a birthday party, and we will spend a reasonable amount of money on the party and a gift (I say “reasonable” because I notice that I’m much more reasonable at another random time of year planning our budget, instead of when I’m facing the reality of one of my sweeties turning a year older, etc. I’m a sucker for maternal overcompensation!!).

    It has also allowed my kids to use their creativity and make each year their very own.

    Speaking of … will we be required to dress as wilderbeasts at E’s party???? Should I start sewing?? LOLOLOLOL

  3. Mama Chaos Says:
    January 25th, 2007 at 11:06 pm

    LOL I promise no silly costumes required, unless you want to. ;)

    I really need to set a limit, but I’m too excited. At least I plan on making the cake myself and most of the presents are second hand.

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