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22nd Jan 2019

Mum thinks kids’ birthday parties these days are a ‘sad reflection of the times’

Olivia Hayes

Kids birthday parties change with the times.

What was once seen as ‘cool’ might not be so cool anymore. But really, it all comes down to what your child is interested in and what they want to do to celebrate them turning another year older.

However, one mum has taken to Mumsnet to say that a colleague invited a load of children to her daughter’s birthday party, but because it doesn’t involve seeing a movie or going to a bowling alley, it’s seen as boring.

She wrote:

“A colleague of mine is organising a birthday party for her daughter who will be 9 soon. She is planning on having it at home with party games and a magician (a friend’s DH whose doing it for free) and a birthday tea.

“However, apparently around half of the children from school invited have said they can’t come. Some of them told my colleague’s daughter yesterday that the reason they’re not coming is because it sounds ‘babyish’ and ‘boring’ and they only like parties at bowling alleys or where they get to see a movie and have McDonald’s.

“My colleague is really upset. She can’t afford that kind of party and thought 8 and 9 year olds would be happy with games and pizza and birthday cake.”

Many mums replied to the post and said that while it sounds like a lovely idea, 9-year-olds might be a bit old for a magician.

One wrote:

“I don’t know. I can’t imagine a magician being amusing for kids over the age of 5.”

While another said:

“I think the party sounds lovely but, having said that, I can’t imagine my DD of the same age wanting a magician at her party. The tea party bit, yes, but magician probably not.”

Other mums sided with the poster and said that unfortunately, kids are growing up too fast these days:

“Extremely sad and yes unfortunately a sign of the times. Youngsters are growing up far too quickly these days.”