To want to know, do you feel guilty if you don’t do a child’s birthday party ?

[LardLizard]

Dd last year of primary
Have organised a special day out to a theme park with a friend and probably gonna. Turn it into a sleepover back at ours
After
And she’s going ina. School residential which is over 400

However I’m feeling very guilty at the thought of. Not doing a party

I missed out giving my ds a party when he was 7. I had exams and there were other things going on and the dates just got away with me. I felt really bad over it and allowed him choose a big party the year after.

I never do a party or a day out with friends, but they do get very spoilt on birthdays with gifts and we either do a weekend away or a special day out as a family.

I have never done a party for either my 6 year old DS or my 2 year old DD. This year I am taking them on a small holiday for both birthdays. We tend to just do a family birthday tea and a day out though and have never been asked for a party. They don’t seem to care either was but if they asked I would arrange one (and dread it, I have terrible social anxiety).

children do not remember anyway.

They do. I hated mine and stopped having them the moment they let me have a say in them. Spent my birthdays the way I wanted.

Ha ha for the advice but have a feeling I’m gonna end up doing it anyway !!

I probably would. They expect them now.

My lo really wants a party, she’s loved her friends ones and is desperate for her own and keeps talking about it all excitedly. But I’m a single parent and my family are all broke too, and after ringing around for hall prices etc I just can’t afford one. I feel horribly guilty as it’s what she really wants but there’s just no way to make it possible (live in a tiny flat so home party not doable). After every party we go to she says she can’t wait for her birthday. Fucking breaks me 😔

Brain
It's so hard when you just can't do it.
I honestly don't think kids need big parties every year. It's fine to just have a few friends over.

Brain what about just two friends over? You could do party food and games. Or wait until summer and do a party at the play park when the weather is good??

Brain how old is she? And when is her birthday? Maybe have a mini party at home with a couple of best friends?

My twins are the same age and have had precisely three birthday parties. I’m rubbish with parties and have usually bribed them with doing something else. Trip to Alton Towers one year and I promised them Go Ape last year but that didn’t happen in the end as I’m too scared!

DS has made plans for a cinema trip with three friends this year. I can probably manage that. Not sure what DD has in mind. Poor sods have got SATs on the big day so I’ll make some effort.

I don't do children's parties but I do feel guilty about it. My youngest has sn and would need constant supervision so I could only do it with a lot of support or if it was one of those parties where you pay a small fortune and the venue organises everything. I just don't have that kind of money. I did one party a few years ago and it was a total nightmare. Never again.

Mine got a choice, they mainly opted for parties.

I didn't feel guilty as their choice but would invite anybody who they had accepted birthday invites from on the day out etc as would feel guilty not reciprocating.

why should you feel guilty, you are celebrating her birthday.

I don't think parties have to cost that much at all if you really want one - but the younger, the cheaper. Around here an all-inc softplay package where you do strictly nothing and get 10 kids together is cheap.
Much cheaper, but renting some kind of hall, getting party food and cake from Aldi and putting some music works just as well, if you feel like animating the disco yourself, and throw a few games.
Organising a joint party is another way to keep it cheap, they invite the same people anyway.
You can gather the kids in a cafe, or for pizza.

Some people spend £100s on birthday cakes, why not, I have never bothered, you can get one for a tenner.

Just don't make it competitive, it doesn't need to be. Friends of mine have spent small fortunes on party, because they can, and they really wanted something special for their child. Others have spent next to nothing. As long as the kids are happy!

My DC have never had a party and likely never will. I just don’t see the point. I take them out somewhere nice instead.

Literally never. Parties don't happen every year, they are occasional special things. Much more often it's just a nice family meal, presents and sometimes a trip to cinema or similar.

Just had another chat with her Tonja she really really wants a party
So thinking of doing a small after school party at home for just about six and ordering pizza etc and getting a few activities for them to do

Just need to convince dh to go along with it

It is her last year at primary I suppose

I am not a fan at all for little girls I have to say, but you could even recruit a friend for a "pamper party" and do their nails or make-up.

you could do a "baking activity " pop cakes or other in the kitchen

If she really wants a party, you know what she likes, check what is happening in your area and copy cheaply