Kids’ birthday parties are terrifying. And it’s not just the clowns

They used to be about fun, cake and goody bags. Now, they are prime examples of parental oneupmanship

Of all the things that can strike fear in the hearts of parents, children’s birthday parties are definitely on my top 10 list, right next to “my daughter becomes a Republican” and “Layla finds Mommy’s funny cigarettes”. So whenever an invitation hits our mailbox – or inbox, more accurately – I start to sweat in fear. (And not because clowns might be involved. OK, a little because of clowns.)

There was no renting of party halls when I was growing up, nor were there special appearances by Disney characters. Gone are the days when a kid’s party comprised three simple things: fun, cake, and goody bags filled with cheap plastic toys and even cheaper candy. When I had birthdays, guests weren’t expected to show up with gifts – just themselves.

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Parents and parenting | The Guardian

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