Kids birthday parties are fraught with drama and financial stress – with parents trying to upstage each other with extravagant cake toppers and lolly bags.
But one of the most bewildering pieces of evidence yet that showcases exactly how far things have gone is an example offered by parenting expert Sharon Witt.
‘I recall a shocking exchange between a friend and another mother at my child’s kindergarten once,’ she told FEMAIL.
Kids birthday parties are fraught with drama and financial stress – with parents trying to upstage each other by way of extravagant cake toppers and lolly bags
‘When one mother explained to a child “I’m so sorry, but Hannah won’t be able to attend your fourth birthday party as we are away that weekend” little Justine had a look of horror on her face, before her mum piped up and said: “Oh don’t worry sweetheart! I’m sure Hannah will still get you a present!”
‘Really? The poor mum was just stunned. So if my daughter cannot attend, am I still expected to send a present? Where does it end?’
It comes just a day after Mamamia shared a story of a parent asking guests of her twin sons’ birthday party to withhold gifts and instead offer $10 in cash for the children to give to charity.
‘Remember the phrase “It’s better to give than to receive?” Well we can add to that now… as long as the gift is gender neutral, organic, fair trade… you get the idea,’ she said
‘Gift etiquette has become increasingly complex and problematic in recent years – not just with children’s birthday parties, but engagements and weddings as well. But where do we learn gift etiquette? It begins as children,’ Sharon explained.
‘Remember the phrase “It’s better to give than to receive?” Well we can add to that now… as long as the gift is gender neutral, organic, fair trade… you get the idea.
Parenting expert Sharon Witt (pictured)
‘One can hardly receive a wedding invitation these days without being guided or instructed on exactly how the gift-giving should be considered.
‘When I was married over 20 years ago, the idea of a ‘gift registry’ was just considered assuming and rude. So how do we help our children and indeed their parents, navigate the gift giving at a children’s birthday party?’
Sharon admitted that we first need to remind children how incredibly fortunate we are to live in a country where we can even afford to give money as a gift.
‘So the idea of a child already having “all that they need” and thinking about a child in a developing nation, is a lovely thought,’ she said.
‘Perhaps the invitation could read “Jasper has all that he needs as far as gifts, and would just love you to help him celebrate his birthday. Only should you wish if you would like to put any small amount of money in a card, he would like to purchase a goat or cow for a family in a developing country”
‘The onus clearly needs to be on the parents to set the tone here and understand that not every parent is flash with cash.’
She agrees a $10 sum would suffice for a charity donation in this instance.
‘Clearly stating dollar amounts is unhelpful. Stating a monetary donation no more than $10, is more than reasonable. Otherwise, where does it actually stop?
‘What lessons are we teaching our children, from an early age about money and gift giving?’
‘The onus clearly needs to be on the parents to set the tone here and understand that not every parent is flash with cash,’ she said
A Today show panel addressed questions surrounding exorbitant parties on Tuesday, with mother Sarah Stewart admitting she felt the pressure for her four-year-old son’s birthday.
His party coincided with the birthday of another child at daycare and she worried no one would come.
‘It’s this feeling of mummy guilt,’ she explained – detailing how she sometimes sees her kids ‘bring home lolly bags of presents that are more than what she sent them with for the birthday child.’