12 YEAR OLD BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Hmmm. To compete or not to compete? That is the question.

Personally, having had to sort 19 + 16 + 11 = 46 birthday parties for my children thus far, I am frankly burnt out and CBA to do anymore. However, I appreciate that this is a little unfair on my 11 year old’s looming birthday which he is frantically trying to instil some sort of enthusiasm in me for. So far, very little that he has suggested appeals – Go Karting, Disco, Paint Balling – although all those things are at least away from my house – which is a very. Good. Thing.

The plan so far is that he is simply having a “gathering” – like his older siblings do – which I hope doesn’t include the pre-lashing and smoking options. After picking up on a few positive vibes from me – maybe even a vague nod, he took no time in sorting out the invitations and sorting out the play list.

However, after last night’s party, at the home of one of his classmates he might have changed his mind. There was a Mini in the garden with a photo booth inside – millions of photos lying out on the table to collect. There was a full sized goal. There was an enormous bouncy caste, a Bucking Bronco, a chocolate fountain, a slush puppy machine, games, amazing food….every child’s dream.

It has certainly got me thinking about my son’s party – what can I add? Fireworks? JLS? Strippers? Ponies? Motorcars? Vodka luge? Fly them out to the Grand Prix?

Nope. None of that competitive stuff. Life is too short. I shall remind him that there is nothing better than simply having his friends all together in one room and that to compare notes in life is a big mistake.

Each to their own.

But if anybody’s got a spare castle or adventure park I can borrow for the weekend then please let me know.