My mother and I have this running debate over parenting. She says I over parent, that things were simpler for my parents when me and my siblings were coming up. I feel like I parent just the right amount, somewhere between helicopter and free range—closer to free range.
Children’s parties are an area where we disagree. She thinks simple; I think over the top. For years, I went overboard with high-priced theme parties. One year, I even threw three parties for my son: One at school, one for friends at a party place and one for family at our home. That was insane.
Never again.
So here are some tips from Mom on ways to throw a low-key, sane party for kids (yes, I have come around to her way of thinking).
Just Have Cake and Ice Cream
Once I went to a party for a three-year-old, a backyard cookout. The food was over the top. There were hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken, and steak. One thing that stood out about this party were the guests. There were more adults than kids. If it weren’t for the three-year-old guest of honor running around, and a smattering of other children, I’m not sure I would have known this was a kid’s party.
Mom says that when we were young, we had parties that included cake, ice cream and punch. No party should cost a week’s worth of groceries. And steak, at a kid’s party? Nonsense.
Timing Is Everything
Another way to keep it simple is to schedule it at just the right time. Mom says that time is 2 to 4 p.m. on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. That’s after lunchtime and before dinnertime. In addition to cake, ice cream and punch, Mom also says you can put out some other light snacks or nibbles, but keep it simple.
Ditch the Classmates
Just because your son or daughter is learning the ABCs with 20 other children doesn’t make them besties. Don’t feel obligated to invite the entire class (admittedly, I’ve done this).
Who are your child’s Friends, capital F? Invite those kids and only those kids. When we were young, Mom says, there was only family at our parties. Perhaps that’s another way to go. We had a bunch of cousins, so that was fun for us.
Have It at Home
Once, we took our son to a party where the parents threw a bunch of balls into the backyard, and we played soccer, kickball and catch. Next, we sang “Happy Birthday” around an ice cream cake. Then, we left. To this day, I tell my husband: “How genius was that? Balls and cake!”
This family didn’t have to clean their house, an extra bonus. In fact, guests never saw the inside of their home, accept for a powder room by the back door.
Now, that’s a party.
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