Parents Spend Big Bucks on Outrageous Kids’ Birthday Parties – ABC News. $32,000 for a toddler party?
All did not go as well with the cake, however. Gracie began to cry when a bird on the cake was purple instead of blue.
Oh poor kid.
Jennifer Waldburger, a licensed clinical social worker, warned that parties like these might not only break the bank, but also set children’s expectations too high.
“It sets up an expectation for kids that every birthday, every graduation, every milestone in their life is going to have these fireworks where no expense is spared,” she said. “So the bar keeps getting set even higher and higher and each celebration has to outdo the last.”
Ya think? The entitlement generation.
Waldburger also said elaborate and expensive parties can give parents a sense of validation.
“This unforgettable experience gives parents a lot of validation and makes them feel like they are doing a good job,” she said.
Back at Gracie’s royal 6th birthday party, mom and dad planned a special surprise for the grand finale — a new car.
“Mom, I don’t know how to drive,” Gracie said after her present was unwrapped.
Good grief. I thought weddings had gone the way of the toilet.
On average, US couples spend $24,066 for their wedding. However, the majority of couples spend between $18,050 and $30,083. This does not include cost for a honeymoon or engagement ring. Understanding wedding cost now can help you with your wedding budget later.
And we wonder why they behave the way that they do.
February 21, 2011 at 11:35 pm
Offhand, I’d say his is
(1)a bribe– “I gave you the paty. Surely you d on’t extpect me to spend time with you, too.”
(2) a self-bribe to soothe a guilty concience
February 21, 2011 at 11:50 pm
(3) Proves what a good parent this is.
(4) Scores points off the other parents.
** Feel free to add on what I’ve omitted.
February 22, 2011 at 7:09 am
I do feel that you have hit it on the last one. What will all the other parents think of us? How can they possibly do better? Oh yes, the “keep up with the Jones” at play.
February 22, 2011 at 7:08 am
But of course Mary. Who really wants to do the work of a parent?
February 22, 2011 at 8:24 am
Isn’t that ridiculous??
I know people without any money who insist on having 30,000 dollar weddings. Probably because it’s what they’re used to after all those toddler birthday parties, but seriously, just spend ten grand and use the rest on a down payment for a house or something. Of course that’s probably a bad idea since they will feel entitled to a 5 bedroom house they obviously can’t afford.
February 22, 2011 at 10:42 am
And then we get to bail them out…sigh.
February 22, 2011 at 9:13 am
My sister lives OC, California…a hotbed of over the top parties. When my niece was turning 16 she called me to ask what I did for my daughter’s sweet 16. I told her she had a few friends over and we did a murder mystery dinner (with a kit). The dinner was co-ed, but afterward the girls spent the night, did facials their nails, etc.
My sister laughed at me, told me basically what a simple red-neck I was. She told me a party like that would be completely unacceptable in her circles. She went on to tell me the parents of one her daughter’s friends did a cruise for their daughter’s sweet 16. I kid you not they rented out a small cruise boat and did a 24 hour cruise just out to sea and back. Complete with an over the top gala on board, for their daughter and several hundred of her closest friends. I can’t remember all the gifts, but the goody bags were some kind of designer purses, stuffed with expensive crap.
In the end sis rented two suites at downtown WDW hotel for a small group of girls 8-10 I think. They were picked up in a limo, driven to WDW, treated to a day in the park and a spa outing and of course the BD gift was a new car.
Mary you are spot on a bribe, guilt, look what a good parent I am….seriously material things are how many parents judge themselves. Also, clearly McNorman is right about keeping up with the Joneses.
BTW my niece is now in an expensive college and my sister can’t figure out where her daughter’s entitlement mentality came from, LOL! It’s always give me, give me, give me on top of all the $$ for tuition and dorm as she has a very full social calendar. Oh and my niece is NOT….I repeat NOT getting a job, not even over the summer because her time is her time and she deserves a break. The poor thing can also only manage 3 classes with her social calendar…..and my sister is just racking her brain trying to figure it out!!
***A disclaimer, my kids are not now nor have they ever been perfect….far from it and they’ve certainly had their self centered moments….oh and I’m not by any stretch a perfect parent****
I just wanted to make sure nobody thought I was snarking and claiming any kind of perfect parent or kid title
February 22, 2011 at 10:43 am
I hear you only to well Somebody. My kid is the same. She was fed reality.
February 22, 2011 at 11:52 am
I remember how difficult it was to discuss plans for anything with my kid when I sent her to a private school. She understood. No bribes, no spa treatments, no fancy dresses, etc. It’s insanity Somebody. Sheer insanity to teach them that entitlement is a given. What happens when it stops? They can’t even afford the therapists for crying outloud. Thank you, I will stay the “redneck.”