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we cancelled our son's 3rd birthday!!!

159 replies

yurtgirl · 19/09/2004 21:35

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Jimjams · 19/09/2004 22:11

Surely a child doesn't need to behave well to be rewarded with love? Loves not a reward its just there! don't build up to much into the happy families picture. My autistic son has only begun to understand in the last year what presents actually are (he's 5- until last xmas he would completely ignore them so we had to open them for him). Didn't mean we didn't give him parties/presents etc though just because we didn't get the warm fuzzy feeling.
is this post for real btw?

Hulababy · 19/09/2004 22:13

jimjams - this is the first post for Yurtgirl, so who knows.

blossomhill · 19/09/2004 22:14

Exactly Jimjams. A birthday to me is not just a celebration for the children but for us as a family. My children's birthdays are just as special to me as it is the day I gave birth. I love giving presents and wouldn't dream of not giving them as a punishment, it just doesn't make sense? Really cannot get my head around this at all, sorry!
I would have to say weighing it all up I do agree with your mum, it is cruel!

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tamum · 19/09/2004 22:17

I agree blossomhill, when they're little, especially, it's an emotional time for the mother too. I can't imagine punishing myself like that!

misdee · 19/09/2004 22:19

no no no. i'd never cancel the 'birthday thing' i never celebrated birthdays, so for me my kids birthdays are special days. we always make a fuss. which is why dd2 went bowling for her 2nd birthday, she won btw. she knew it was her day, as she got to have loads of fun and fuss made of her.

And even if she is badly behaved all day she still gets love. she's my baby (as is her older sister).

marthamoo · 19/09/2004 22:30

This seems more about you and your feelings than any kind of tangible punishment for your son. You say you want to "feel good" about giving him presents - reading between the lines that means you feel so badly towards him at the moment that you don't want to do anything nice for him. Three year olds are extremely challenging (I know, I'm onto my second one now) but cancelling his birthday seems an extreme reaction to me. Just how bad was the bad bahaviour? At not even 3 he is still challenging his boundaries and finding his limits; he has little or no concept of what is the right or morally correct way to behave, he's still at the "me, me, me" stage.

To hold onto anger towards him for such a long time seems very unhealthy to me - OK, you have a bad day with a toddler, you can punish there and then with time out, taking away a toy for a while, whatever suits you, but to drag out a punishment over such a long time worries me a lot. And, as others have said - if he doesn't know his birthday is cancelled, then what kind of disincentive is that for future bad behaviour?

You sound like you have got into a vicious circle where you can't find much to like about your ds - have you spoken to your GP about how you feel? Maybe I am over-reacting but it sounds like this is an indication of an underlying problem.

Christie · 19/09/2004 22:44

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Christie · 19/09/2004 22:45

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Chinchilla · 19/09/2004 22:49

If he is anything like my 3y2m ds, his behaviour will not improve in a month. Mine is becoming a devil child who we control with threats of no stories at bed-time. That is a few hours away when being threatened, and a very important thing to my ds. You are doing a good thing by rewarding good behaviour, but he deserves a party...it is his birthday!

I don't think you are cruel, but I do think you overreacted to the situation. IME, 3 year olds are becoming little people in their own right, and it is a struggle for them to try to exert their opinions and desires on you without being 'naughty'.

essbee · 19/09/2004 22:50

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yurtgirl · 19/09/2004 23:21

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essbee · 19/09/2004 23:23

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yurtgirl · 19/09/2004 23:26

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soapbox · 19/09/2004 23:28

NO Yurtgirl - it means that we as parents will always love you unconditionally. You don't need to be a performing monkey to 'earn' our love. Presents are about giving and giving is normally about love and the kind of love we feel for our children is unconditional love.

I really can't see what your approach has achieved at all. He's too young to understand what he has been deprived of, as far as the birthday presents go. However, I'm not at all convinced that he is too young to 'feel' that love is being withheld unless he performs in a way you approve of. Poor thing...

marthamoo · 19/09/2004 23:29

Confused now...you are certain you did the right thing, you stand by your decision and you would do the same thing again in the same situation? Why exactly were you asking for our opinions then?

essbee · 19/09/2004 23:31

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collision · 19/09/2004 23:38

Sorry but I agree with Yurtgirl. We dont know what he has actually done but if he has caused so much trouble and been really naughty then she and her DH wouldnt feel like celebrating and giving ds his presents.

He doesnt know his birthday has been postponed and hopefully his behaviour will improve so that they can celebrate properly and be happy as a family together.

It isnt a punishment as such, IMO, just a time out while he calms down. Who wants to shower their children in presents when they have ie trashed their rooms, sworn at parents, broken things (or whatever he has done)

Jimjams · 19/09/2004 23:38

I still think this is a wind up.

However assuming it isn't. No it doesn't send the wrong message to a 3 year old as any behaviour/reward/lack of reward has to be instant. He won't remember how he behaved so badly over the last month. He probably won't have much sense of time etc over the last month anyway. Everything is instant to a 3 year old.

You say its not a punishment as he doesn't know- so its all back to how you are feeling. How you feel giving him presents is irrelevant. It's how he feels that's important.

You still haven't said how his behaviour was so bad either.

yurtgirl · 19/09/2004 23:40

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stupidgirl · 19/09/2004 23:41

How bad can a 3yr old be?

yurtgirl · 19/09/2004 23:43

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collision · 19/09/2004 23:44

TBH Yurtgirl, I think you need to tell everyone what he has actually done wrong as everyone seems to be over reacting a bit to this. Also, dont let it put you off posting again.

marthamoo · 19/09/2004 23:46

No, don't be put off, yurtgirl (blimey, what a post to start with!) but you did ask. We're nice really...honest.

Jimjams · 19/09/2004 23:46

TBH I think everyone is confused as to why it has been done. it doesn't really matter what he's done- he's 3 and 3 year olds can behave in a challenging way at times. Especially if they're tired, or their routine has changed, or they are sickening for something, It's normal behaviour.

essbee · 19/09/2004 23:47

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