party all the time...party all the time (80s song going through my head right now)
Anyway...E has been invited to a number of birthday parties lately. Well, here, it's a big deal to figure out how Elam is going to get to these parties...since most aren't within walking distance or on a bus line that we know anything about. So, it takes a little work (networking) on my part to sort out rides to these parties. I overheard him talking to Silas the other day after he had received an invite from a girl in his class that he never talks about...and, he admitted, doesn't really ever play with. He was telling Sy that you should ALWAYS attend a party if you are able and don't have any conflicts with the time. I told him that wasn't precisely true...that you can decline if you don't want to go (or perhaps if it is for someone you aren't good friends with). This idea flabbergasted him...he could NOT comprehend the idea that you might not want to go to a party (is he really my child???). I asked if he was friends with ***. He replied, "Not really...but parties are still fun, mom. I really want to go!"
So here's my dilemma... Do I let him attend every party he's invited to just because he likes parties? On one hand, I think we could save £s if we didn't have to buy all these birthday gifts, I wouldn't have to (potentially) inconvenience tons of people by always having to send E with another kid, and it could teach him to make choices on priorities. On the other hand, I think we hardly ever take our kids to McD's or Chuck E Cheese now that we're in England and these parties always lend to a fun time with several of his friends that will also show up AND he was actually invited (it's not like he's crashing it). What do you think? Any opinions?
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5 comments:
Hmmmm....that's a tough one. Personally, I'd say that if he want's to attend a party so badly, he's old enough now to "chip in" for the gift (either make something for the birthday girl - i.e. necklace, or donate a portion of his own money to the purchase of a gift). This alone may be incentive enough for him to be a bit more choosey about who's parties he goes to (having to spend HIS time and money on a friend). I also think that as he gets older the parties will become more rare not to mention that now is an important time for him to "network".
The truth is that whatever you choose will be right....'cause God chose YOU to be his Mum! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!
Okay - sorry - don't have any advice. . . you're the one that's supposed to give me advice! I just think it's hilarious that you have a social butterfly!!
kids' parties ... argh! we're barely on the party scene and still feel like it's a lot. i like candace's idea though. let us know what you decide. ;)
Yeah, we're kicking around the idea of having him use some of his allowance £ to buy presents.
A friend whose also living in another country emailed me and mentioned that a lot of my issue could be associated with culture shock -- mostly giving up our independence with transportation. I think she may have a point.
To quote somebody really famous I'm sure....
PARTY ON DUDE!!!!
:)
Dad
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