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Parenting

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Original poster

3rd birthday worries

6 replies

Gargula · 12/10/2010 21:35

I'm probably tired, hormonal, overly paranoid...
My son is coming up to 3 soon and I'm debating about whether to give him a "party" or not. Will he be a total social outcast if I don't?

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Rosebud05 · 12/10/2010 21:38

Does he want one? My dd was very clear about her third birthday requirements - balloons, a present and a cake which no-one else blew the candles out from. At that age you can just have family, or 1 or 2 friends with a couple of balloons and a cake and call it a party.

Of course he won't be a social outcast - no-one remembers after a couple of weeks who has/hasn't had a 'party' party.

tassisssss · 12/10/2010 21:41

Sorry you're feeling tired, hormonal etc. Honestly, you get to choose! Do one if you'd like, if you don't take him to pizza hut with a cake (or whatever you/he fancy). Either's fine. He def won't be a social outcast.

Dancergirl · 13/10/2010 11:53

No, of course not! 3 is really quite young to start having parties. Just think ahead to the years and years of parties you've got to organise! Parents feel pressurised into having parties earlier and earlier.

Why not have a simple family tea at home? You could invite a few friends with children similar ages if you like. Or a couple of his friends from nursery if he goes. You could have balloons, a few simple games, nice birthday tea and cake, job done.

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GhastlyandUgly · 13/10/2010 12:10

DS's first birthday party was for his third birthday but not everyone in his nursery had one and no-one worried either way. His good friend is only this year (5) having his first party and it hasn't affected him in anyway.

Original poster

Gargula · 13/10/2010 12:21

Thank you for talking sense to me.
I don't know why but I'm incredibly anxious about birthday parties! I'm not generally unconfident so must have had an appalling birthday experience at some point which I've buried in my subconscious.

OP posts:

Dancergirl · 13/10/2010 13:41

Don't worry, you'll be fine. I would also add the following general point about birthday parties: always put your child first above expectations of others. By this I mean do what YOUR child wants and invite who your child WANTS to invite. Too many people get hung up on not wanting to offend people and end up inviting hundreds of children who your child may not even like or know that well.

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