East Bay Mom

Mary Poppins was lucky she was dealing with sick kids when she fed them a spoonful of sugar.  I am convinced after many a birthday party filled with cake, ice cream and candy that a spoonful of sugar to a healthy child is a recipe for manic behavior followed by tantrums and fatigue. 

Why is it that we as parents subject ourselves to this nearly every weekend?  Why do birthday parties and kid functions mandate serving with sugar filled treats?  Children are the easiest guests to entertain, there is no need to give them sweets to make them happy.  My daughter is happiest in grass field with her friends where they run around, chase each other and giggle.

Some of my thoughts on an great birthday party ...

1. Start the party at 10, not 1.
This is enough time to have a leisurely morning, and it doesn't cut into the afternoon.  Children will be in good moods, with plenty of energy that they can run off.  The best part -- all of the children be ready for a lovely nap when they get home.

2. Substitute favor bags with a surprise from a magic bag. 
Goodie bags for favors simply brings more crap home that gets ultimately thrown in the trash.  What about having a big "magic bag" with some high quality prizes inside.  If a child is well behaved at the party, he/she can reach into the "magic bag" and get a prize.  Net result is well behaved children, an exciting activity for the children to anticipate and a toy to treasure and take to share day.

3. Ditch the sweets.
Kids just want to have fun, so make something fun for them to eat.  Or better yet, have the kids make the food themselves.  An assembly line to make ants-on-a-log works great!  Children get a little veggie, a touch protein, some dried fruit and fun all in one.

4. No parents allowed.
Birthday parties should be analogous to a few hours of free babysitting.  Since every kid has one, every parent takes their turn once a year.  It's like a parents group without the overhead.  Plus, children are generally better behaved when the parents leave.  It removes their trump card of asking their own parent if they can / can't do something.  By leaving, you establish the birthday child's parents as the person in charge.

5. Substitute gifts for a charitable activity.
Kids get enough gifts these days from parents, grandparents, uncles and neighbors that they don't need them from all of the other children as well.  Birthday parties are a great opportunity to instill charitable values into their spongy minds.  Instead of opening gifts, make a group activity such as painting pictures to take to a convalescent home.  

I would love to take my daughter to a birthday party, and pick her up calm and tired!  Nothing is better than coming have and having her lay in my lap, tell stories of the party and cuddle.  Nothing is worse than the tantrum in the car and a forced nap.  Follow this advice, and parents -- and children -- will love you!