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
That's hilarious! My daughter is 5 and now thinks (thanks to me!) that birthdays are the biggest deal ever. But the funny thing is... my husband thinks it should be that way now too. At first he was like, you shouldn't stress out so much or do so much, but now it's 6 months out and he's already asking me about the next birthday. I told him that this year I want out. She can have three friends and I'll take them to get their nails done or something, but my husband was like what? that's lame!!! HAHA!
You are very observant, aren't you? lol!
I will admit, I went overboard on my dd's first bday! I had to make her princess for the day! Everyone thought I was crazy.. but hey, I'll admit it, I'm crazy! :) She's 4 now, and swears she is the princess! lol
it all depends on what your kid enjoys and what you enjoy. for example the cake. your kid loves cake so you will have it for his birthday. if you personally enjoy making this cake yourself, go for it, but i'm pretty sure the kid doesnt care who made it as long as it is tasty. therefor i personally will just go to a store and buy it. decorations - do you both care about it? if one of you does, sure go for it. but seriosuly though..someone said $800 for each kid on his birthday - what the hell are you buying for him..but to each their own i guess.
i will say most of the time i dont go over board for birthdays i buy a cake the kids like not make them for the tooth fairy i just put like 2 bucks under the pillow no glitter or crazy stuff like that report cards a praise him for his good work but nothing special halloween costumes i do something simple like take a pair of overalls striped shirt and red hair spray and fake knife and hes chucky from childs play or all black outfit and white powder and hes a demon but i dont spend tons of money on somthing they cant wear again and as far as gifts for teachers nope dont see the point