https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:12:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-you-let-your-kids-plan-their-own-parties#post-2881757 Tue, 23 Apr 2019 05:03:01 +0000 hitchhiker 2881757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love this idea! My kid has really embraced saving her $$ for big items, but is also incredibly social, so I'd be interested to see what she would do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-you-let-your-kids-plan-their-own-parties#post-2881750 Mon, 22 Apr 2019 23:25:30 +0000 ALV91711 2881750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I could see doing this at a preteen age but not 7. </p> <p>DS is 6 and every year he gets to help with party plans and picking what he wants to do but I do t think I could give him free reign. </p> <p>My cousin lets her kids (8 &amp; 10) choose between a big gift or a big party. I like this idea and may do that in the future. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-you-let-your-kids-plan-their-own-parties#post-2881664 Mon, 22 Apr 2019 13:50:26 +0000 farawayyama 2881664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think this is a great idea and will be putting it in my back pocket for a couple of year's time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-you-let-your-kids-plan-their-own-parties#post-2881659 Mon, 22 Apr 2019 13:26:17 +0000 Pollywog 2881659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am all for this, to an extent. We give my kiddo a lot of leeway in party planning. He gets to decide: who is coming? fire hall or bounce house? Pizza or tacos? Make a cake or buy one? Sprinkles or M&amp;Ms on the cupcakes? I'm big on using it as an opportunity to discuss our values-- I value inclusiveness, so if we have a celiac friend to the party, we will have cupcakes so she can have a matching (gluten free) one. If you invite most of your class, you have to invite everyone.</p> <p>My hesitation with full control is that I need a party I'm okay with. I'm not okay with 30 kids at my house. I'm not okay with not serving a meal. But I'm generally expecting that if it's the kid's party than they are coming shopping with me and picking out what drinks and snacks to serve. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-you-let-your-kids-plan-their-own-parties#post-2881654 Mon, 22 Apr 2019 12:46:00 +0000 crazydoglady 2881654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love this idea. When I was a kid, party planning was picking between white/chocolate cake, and pepperoni or cheese pizza. I like the idea of simplicity.</p> <p>I think I would take the gift for themselves out tho (so they dont feel the need to shortchange other aspects of the party so they can get what they want) and stipulate that they must do a favor even if its handmade. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-you-let-your-kids-plan-their-own-parties#post-2881644 Mon, 22 Apr 2019 11:37:03 +0000 bhbee 2881644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it’s a good idea although with a 7yo I’d need to oversee it I think ... but I could see writing out the budget with her and saying “ok you spent $125 on the venue” and then letting her prioritize.<br /> The problem though is that at this age I can still make party planning about my wants :silly: so I want a certain invitation or favor or whatever. But we do try to keep it minimal and at least discuss limits (you can invite x friends, that activity is too expensive, etc). Would be a good math exercise to make the costs more explicit for next time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-you-let-your-kids-plan-their-own-parties#post-2881624 Mon, 22 Apr 2019 09:07:42 +0000 Autumnmama79 2881624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Having just celebrated DDs 10th in big way, I think that’s a fun idea! I tend to get a bit crazy about my kids birthdays and all the details, etc. so I’d just need to keep my expectations low :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-you-let-your-kids-plan-their-own-parties#post-2881622 Mon, 22 Apr 2019 08:51:45 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2881622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@brownepiano: oops, similar title to the article I read, but wrong article- I suck at google </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-you-let-your-kids-plan-their-own-parties#post-2881620 Mon, 22 Apr 2019 08:50:13 +0000 brownepiano 2881620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm didn't find the part about $200 and letting a 7 year old plan to spend that or keep it. But we do try to plan a special event for birthdays and keep gifts from us and any party minimal like she mentions. We let DS (5) decide if he wanted a small party or not. We will probably let him pick where to go as a family in the future. </p> <p>But as letting your kid have a budget, I think in the teen years that could be interesting. When I had my wedding and all the sudden had to plan a huge party for 200+ people it was insanely stressful and hard. I wish I had gotten to practice planning something on a large scale before a wedding. But then again I'm not sure anything except for a job in event planning can prepare you for that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-you-let-your-kids-plan-their-own-parties#post-2881618 Mon, 22 Apr 2019 08:30:22 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2881618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Edited because I had a linked article fail! </p> <p>I came across an article a mom wrote about how her older kids (7+ yrs old) plan their own birthday parties. She gives them a $200 budget to figure out invites, activities, decorations, favors, food, and whatever is left over is their (big) birthday gift. The kids prioritize what’s important to them. For instance her 8/9 year old son wanted a pool party with his entire class- he did free evites, skipped favors and decor and served pizza, store bought cake and snacks. Her 7 year old daughter wanted a sleep over. She went all out on decor and saved money by using toys she no longer wanted as game prizes and helped bake a boxed cake.</p> <p>I like the idea although I may have to up the budget or take the gift component out just to make sure healthier foods are served if I still care about that by the time LO is 7. :silly:</p> <p>WDYT? </p>