Ice Mermaids
My oldest is turning eight in March. For the last 10 months, I've been subjected to endless one-sided discussions about how many kids she wants to attend her party, and whether she wants to have a slumber party, a dinner party, a Harry Potter-theme, a dog theme or a horse theme. There have been countless changes in her plans, and many faux-invites written up and abandonded.
Before Halloween, I asked her to put a halt to the party planning until we got through the holiday season. She kept it on the downlow, and I assumed that she forgot about it. That is, until New Year's Day when she heaved a sigh of relief and pulled out her notebook full of ideas that she had been updating at school.
"Mom, NOW can we talk about my party?"
The thing is, we're tightening all our financial belts this year, and trying to create a more realistic spending/savings ratio. An extravagant party just isn't in the cards. I've told her gently. I've told her bluntly. I don't seem to be able to penetrate her party-planning haze.
I guess it is a good thing that she claims to never want to marry. Bridezilla-in-training is what I've got going on here.
"Mommy, can you make an ice sculpture of a mermaid?"
"Yeah...um...no."
There is no way we are going to cave to her demands, and really, she's not demanding at all. She's just planning. And planning and planning and planning.
I used to do the same thing, although eight years of motherhood has apparently beaten the zest for planning out of me. I used to plan imaginary parties all the time, down to the food and the flowers, yet I rarely hosted a shindig. I just liked thinking about it.
I never died of disappointment because the parties never happened. In fact, I used to joke about writing a book featuring all my party ideas.
Maybe it is time to pass that creative nudge off on my daughter.
Comments
Your daughter is so like mine. We ordered her party themed goods in February. For her 8th birthday in July. Now, Birthday Express sends us their catalog. Bi-weekly. And that's what she reads each night before she goes to sleep. I can't tell you how much I hate reading about the various party favor boxes. But carving an ice mermaid? Now that's a skill I want.
Posted by: Patty | February 7, 2007 12:25 PM
Yeah, I usually tell my daughter that she can't start planning her party for real until her brother's party is over--which is 6 weeks before hers. Otherwise, she'd start planning her next birthday party the day one ended.
Posted by: landismom | February 8, 2007 9:12 PM
My daughter turns 8 in a week. She's been planning her birthday for months too. I think that throwing a birthday party for a child can and should be an inexpensive thing. Our standard party involves making invites, making a pinata, making a cake and doing some sort of a craft (cheap). We also play standard party games. Ice sculptures? Not in the budget or within my skills. Good luck! Apparently we've decided on a horse party here? Ugg.
Posted by: amber | February 9, 2007 1:07 AM
I guess planning future events is just something that young kids do.
It's good for the imagination, and I think that's a good thing.
Posted by: cassie-b | February 9, 2007 9:21 AM
Awww... I remember what it was like to plan for a birthday party at age 8. I always wanted to have the biggest, most extravagant party ever.
Posted by: thethinker | February 10, 2007 11:29 AM
Ah yes I remember those days. Although my daughter is now 15 the planning hasn't stopped. Though now it has turned from sleepovers to "Mom can we hire a DJ or wait no a LIVE BAND".
Posted by: Lorelai | February 12, 2007 10:05 AM
My daughter turns 11 in April, and like you, I had to tell her to knock off the party planning until after the holidays. We try to alternate the big party one year with an excursion (taking along a BFF) the next. Neither option is cheap and over the years, I just grew to accept it. But, as all we have is ONE child to deal with, I think it's a lot easier to absorb the annual bday cost. Good luck this year!
Posted by: Donna | February 12, 2007 2:34 PM