Gwen (GemStar38)
July 29. 2009 13:19

Markus didn't miss out! He had a great time with cake, pizza and presents. What more could a 3 yr old ask for? A big party could have easily overwhelmed a 3 yr old and ended up in tears and/ or sugar-shock. Each parent knows their kid best but a big party really isn't necessary for a pre-schooler.

scott peters
July 29. 2009 13:46

I am a dad, but saw this on twitter.  Great post.  What we have done with our two girls is have big birthday parties on their 5 year birthdays (5, 10, etc).  The other year they get to pick a friend or two and do the activity of their choice (pool, park, etc).  Seems to work pretty well.  Good Luck

Donna Chaffins
July 31. 2009 08:47

@Amy and @Gwen - I agree 100%!  We didn't start having birthday "parties" until Cody started school.  Just family.

@Scott - First, it's nice to hear from a dad!  I like the way you guys are doing birthdays for your daughters... making more of the milestone birthdays makes a lot of sense.

Donna Chaffins
July 31. 2009 10:53

@Amy - I remember reading somewhere that the number of kids you invite equals their age.  So for a three year old you invite 3 kids, so on.  The thing is after they start school(at least at the school my son goes to), you have to invite all the kids.  Which makes sense... you don't want a child to feel left out.

Cindy Campbell
August 16. 2009 22:13

OK, you are listening to my parents, Donna.  They always let us invite how old we were.  
No Amy, you are not some ogre parent.  What Markus wanted he got.  And we waited until Michael's 9th birthday to have one out of the house.  I love out of the house parties, because I don't have to clean up!  But Chuck E. Cheese is ridiculously priced.  Go to the local bowling alley- they are better and able to deal with kids that young without having the parents die from overstimulation.
I had one big party for each kid at one or 2 years old, and then Kindergarten was the next big one.  Michael is in Middle School and no longer has parties, but the option to go to dinner and a movie with the family and invite a friend.

Donna Chaffins
August 17. 2009 06:38

Cindy - I'd heard that from my mother, I think.   I actually had more kids at my son's parties (more cousins than his age) though.

Cindy Campbell
August 28. 2009 23:57

Donna- I did what you did- heard the rule and over ruled it! :o)  But it was usually under 15!

Donna Chaffins
August 29. 2009 08:48

Cindy - I hear ya.  My son's first 3 parties were family only.  But from pre-school on he had to invite the entire class.  And you can usually count on half the class (or less) showing up.