Wednesday, May 16, 2007

mommy dearest?

jack's 3rd birthday is coming up and we're staring to make plans for a small party (truly small. just a few kids and we're renting the picnic pavilion in the neighborhood. the kids will play on the playground and eat hamburgers and hot dogs. that's it. no clowns, no magicians, no pony rides.) i think kid's birthday parties have gotten SO out of control and i refuse to participate. my kids will probably hate me for it, but i can live with that. they're going to hate me for something, right?

so having just moved, i've realized what a RIDICULOUS amount of toys my kids have. really. ridiculous. the last thing they need is more toys. so i was thinking that i would make a note on jack's party invitations that asked people to bring a new book to be donated instead of bringing a gift for jack.

and then i remembered the scene in 'mommy dearest' where joan crawford makes christina donate all her birthday gifts except one. is asking for book donations instead of gifts just cruel to a 3-year-old?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ah, the Mean Mother syndrome continues...

I don't think you need to compare yourself with an ego maniac like JC. Remember that motives are always important. And if your motives are not right, then the decision probably isn't either.

If you give Jack enough food, he won't miss the gifts!

Mom

Anonymous said...

you are too funny. No, it's not mean. It's totally appopriate.

... "nooooo mooore wiiiire hangerrrrrs!!!!!!!!"

-Candice

Wendy said...

Do it now. When he's older, it'll totally piss him off.

Anonymous said...

Hey Kris,
Al took Zach to a birthday party and they said no gifts on the invitation. Knowing they did it last year made us comfortable with it.

Oddly enough Zach came home with toys. Seemed inappropriate to me but we didn't buy anything!

It is only a big deal if you make it a big deal. Lots of times we don't open the package and hide it for later or we discuss (at home) the gift being saved for Christmas or Hanukkah gifts to less fortunate children.