Totally at a loss to understand childrens' parties - why are they all entertainment and crap food for the kids, rather than a celebration of our children by those who love them?

[catASTROPHE]

We've been to a few lately, and the more I thnk about the more I think it is WEIRD.

Whats the point of the party? To get those who love our children together and to celebrate them and enjoy them, surely.

Naturally, as some of the guests will be children, we will cater to their tastes as well.

But why the mountains of aspartame and salt laden food, and raucus games, and kiddy music, while the parents, godparents and adult friends stand around at the edge with a plastic cup of weak squash?

Honestly, I'm interested to know what the thinking behind these parties is.

Yes Cod, have notice, but there is also the question of a tail that seperates us.

Mind you, I have bubble potential instead

but spidey most of us have found a happy medium , and i think thats the best way

But Spidermama - no games, no party food, no fun.

Where's the soul in that?

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'Souless and meaningless' to who?

If they are souless and meaningless to your children, then you are doing the wrong thing so change it.

Also I think we dictate to them what they want. They think they want a load of sugar or aspartame because that's what we give them or that's what their friends have. Actually they'd rather be ice skating or climbing treest or eating real food.

It's the same old story. I can't stand this idea that our kids crave crap and we ought to give it to them as a 'treat'.

Happy birthday. Here's you poison.

Soapbox my parties are soulfull and meaningful naturally.
But you can't expect me to believe that running around in a soft play area then eating haribos in a sectioned off area has any soul or meaning.

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thats extreme spidey

what i find shocking most of all is that the parents invite their mates too (for chidldrens parties of children over 4)

whats a party ring?

these biscuits?

So what about this Spidermama:

16 kids
they play games and have a ball
they eat nice home-made cake, sandwiches, ice-cream etc.
they have a ball
the birthday boy/girl feels special and gets some nice pressies for future enjoyment.

I just cannot for the life of me see what the problem with this is

DP is currently building (with the dds) a pinata for dd1's party. Out of Guardian newspaper, naturally. It has a special quick-release feature in case it doesn't break easily enough

gosh this woman must be bored!

cod said it better.

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dejags i think including a guitar and pan pipes and some enthusiastic hand clapping is what we are after

cod alcohol is no 1 on the list for things to organise for party

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I used to scoff Haribo gummy bears whilst hillwalking. They're a GREAT snack for high intensity activities like that because they give you quick energy without stomach cramps. Easily carried in a pocket so they stay nice and warm and chewy.

Much cheaper than those 'energy bars', which are pretty much the same thing - a quick shot of glucose.

NP.

oh yuk expat

id rather have a Bounty

I tried them all, naily. The problem with a chocolate bar is that it's slightly harder to digest, so whilst hillwalking it can give you stomach cramps.

I told the grandparents it was up to them whether they came or not. They didn't. But it is 1 hour drive for ILs and more for my Mum and Dad so fair enough.

Last year for my birthday we went out for Chinese with full dose of MSG etc so not necessarily very healthy.

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