Moms you are awesome. You are kind, sensitive and loving beings who build a wonderful playground of a world for your children. You're listeners. You're givers. You're dreammakers. But... and don't take this the wrong way... but you tend to go a bit "overboard" at times.
Whether it's birthdays, a lost tooth or report cards, you prepare and celebrate like it's a royal wedding reception! Us guys, on the other hand, well, fine. We probably downplay it just a tad. Sure, you probably think we're a sloppy bunch of lazy underachievers, but in reality we want our kids to learn that life is cruel and harsh. They don't need a trophy just for making in the potty. Throwing them a parade for getting an A on a report is just going to shoot their ego to the stratosphere.
Think I'm being a bit melodramatic here? Okay, let's break things down:
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Birthday Cakes
Mom's Plan: Spend 27 hours stressing over a complicated Fozzie Bear cake that includes 8 cans of frosting, 6 bottles of food coloring, 3 boxes of Duncan Hines cake mix, and a bag of Kit-Kats, all while her hand is cramping up from decorating Fozzie, making dinner, helping the kids with their homework, and keeping them out of the kitchen.
Dad's Plan: A box of Twinkies and one well-placed candle.
The Tooth Fairy
Mom's Plan: Once little Ryan's asleep, sprinkle "fairy dust" (i.e. glitter) by the windowsill, trailing off to his bed, as well as spending three hours writing a personal poem that's then tucked in an envelope with $10 and gently placed under his pillow.
Dad's Plan: A firm handshake with the kid. "You lost a tooth? Good job."
Report Card
Mom's Plan: Reward Jason with McDonald's for dinner, and a brand-new Wii game for having such a great report card. Stick the report card on the fridge and comment on it every hour, as well as call every known living relative to let them know what a genius your boy has become.
Dad's Plan: Buy the kid a calculator so he can improve his math grades.
Halloween Costume
Mom's Plan: Take some sewing courses, then spend $47 on yellow material, $10 on Styrofoam balls, $9 on stuffing, $40 on brown boots and then start working on the world's craziest Sponge Bob costume, staying up until 3 a.m. for six weeks in a row to get the costume just right, so it'll look perfect and grow with your child. Then on to your second child's costume...
Dad's Plan: Cut a hole in an old white sheet. Boo.
Teacher Gifts
Mom's Plan: For each child's teachers, buy up a slew of Macy's Gift Cards and insert into a custom mug that displays a photo of the child and the teacher, listing the wonderful lessons learned this year. Each mug will contain each individual teacher's favorite candy, and then gently placed in a box that's wrapped with wrapping paper made up of photos of your child studying.
Dad's Plan: Teachers get gifts?
Do you tend to go overboard with your kids accomplishments? Or do you downplay them?
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Comments 70
haha to a certain extend is that true in our family
I believe that the mothers that go so far overboard would have much happier children if they just spent more time with them on a daily basis doing fun things together, making meals together, doing crafts, reading books, going on outings, etc. This is much more fruitful and when the child gets older the feeling of love from his parent/s with give him/her a greater sense of love and stability. Spending $500 to $800 on a party does not show a child in any way what real life is about. What about the parents who did spend that kind of money on a party then lost their job and could not longer afford such a party, do you think that child is going to want a at home pizza party? NOT. You are not doing your child a favor with these over the top parties, and I think lots of you do it not for the child but for your own need to top your friends and neighbors.
Jeez I thought I went overboard buying a $60 cake for her first birthday and $200 at Chucky Cheese for all the kids. Children dont care about whether or not their cupcake holders match the balloons, all they care about is having a good time and getting attention, neither of which require days of planning and lots of dough.
LoL
I think i'm more of a "dad" in my parenting style . . . . .
I laughed hysterically at this.... because I am this mom, and my husband is this dad! Thankfully we usually meet in the middle - tooth fairy is going to be a bag with a shiny quarter in it under his pillow, but birthdays and Halloween get to be blow-outs.
I think it's all about balance. If you're going to spend weeks working on something and stress out about it, then how is it really fun? Your kids can always tell when something is wrong or stressing you out, and then they'll be less likely to want something next year. But if you love it (and can afford it), then I say go for it!
(of course I say all this as we approach my son's first birthday... must... restrain... myself...!)
OMG!! $800 on ONE birthday? Glad you're rich. Glad your kid is a spoiled little jerk who won't be able to hold a job because it doesn't pay him a gizzilian dollars.
Lmfao! This was a good post. The hubster got a kick out of it too
That makes me a DAD!!!! hahaha. Birthday cake?? get it at the bakery. Costumes? yard sales, wmart,etc. Teachers gifts? Chocolate and a card. Lost a tooth? Cheer and have them rinse.
I hate going overboard.