Cake, Candles, and Sanity
A new organization is trying to help parents stop the one-upmanship associated with many of today's children's birthday parties. As reported by the Associated Press, Birthdays Without Pressure was formed by a group of "concerned parents and professionals" to address the excesses they say have led to kids feeling stressed, envious, and entitled. Its web site lists some examples of parents gone wild (little party-goers arriving via limo, a 60-guest invitation list for a one-year-old's special day) along with suggestions for saner celebrations. Among the ideas: everyone brings an inexpensive gift for charity, no-gift parties, no gift bags, and family-only parties.
Matt's View
While many of the ideas on the group's web site are helpful, they seem to come from a negative angle: "no" to this, "less" of that. I've always found "yes" and "more" to be more motivating. So, how about "yes" to the simple games of our youth like pin the tail on the donkey and "more" group activities like sing-a-longs. Some parents might notice the lack of strolling musicians and Thomas the Tank Engine ice sculptures, but the kids will be too busy having fun.
Managing Money by The Book
- "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." - Matthew 7:24-25
Recommended Resources
- Money, Purpose, Joy - Discussion Guide
- If you want to take your relationship with money to a whole new level, bring the subject into your small group. It can be scary to open up about money, at least at first. But the "Money, Purpose, Joy Discussion...…Read the rest
View All »