to feel a little disheartened about this?

[crazylizzy]

ok, so nothing major, but I've recently noticed how sometimes little effort parents put into dressing their kids for other kids parties?

Back in the day, our mums would dress us in our best dresses, matching ribbons, tights, newly polished shoes, do something pre-planned with our hair (tiny plats all night, leaving a crimped look, oh man - retro), but now all I seem to see are trainers, jeans and a top, and that's just the girls

Last week my kids were invited to a 5th birthday party, as were my friends kids, she offered a lift, and at picking us up, I noticed her kids still in their gym kit (tracksuits and trainers), I commented if they'd just come straight from the lesson and my friend answered no, the class was earlier that afternoon, and they'd come from home.

AIBU to feel disheartened about how times change and still send my kids to birthday parties in their Sunday bests?

Definately!..I never turn down donations! wish you lived next door to me how old are yours?..all my DDs clothes are too small for all my friends and relatives..but you are so rightit always seems to work out..

I would put DD in a nice cute outfit, something suitable for running around. I think girls wearing those hideous old fashioned "party" dresses with bows etc look soooo hilariously crap.

Ok - you definitely WON'T be seeing any bow ties on my boys , however, now I have a little girl I quite like that I can put her in a pretty dress (though we are not talking pink nor frilly) .... I say let kids be kids if they can look 'reasonable' and run around and have fun and not give their parents a hernia when they return from said venture covered in rips and various unidentified stains then jobs a good one! Those kids that can happily join in without worrying about their duds definitely enjoy themselves more!

hello sheep how old are your DDs? I ask because I have some stuff in the loft that is waiting to be passed on.

On the main question of the thread, DD1 is 5.6 and there is still not question in her mind that party= fancy dress! (I frequently have to mend tears in them after the more active parties- she just gets stuck right in wearing the finery)

Actually, I will change my mind-you might as well dress them up in pretty party clothes because you haven't got many years before they have their own ideas! You will be very lucky if they match yours!

My dc are ds aged 9 dd1 7 and dd2 2, They grow so fast especially dd1!

I well identify with the earlier comment about the gifted dresses from grandma, dd gets overindulged as regards dresses (and cute cardigans) by MIL (who had only boys) and has to wear a dress at every opportunity to get the wear out of them. Thankfully MIL has decent taste.I do have an aversion to that cheap-looking pink but love a good old-fashioned party dress (in non-inflammable/sweaty materials )

I would quite happily dress dd in second-hand dresses & actually enjoy scouting out a bargain but have no need (MIL).