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Mia Redrick
Baltimore Parenting ExaminerParenting expert Mia Redrick is an author, lecturer, radio personality, personal coach and mother of three young children. She is a leader in the push for the self-care of mothers, and shares her wisdom on how to raise children without sacrificing personal needs.
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Showing entries for Category: birthday-party
How To Downsize Birthday Parties
1 comment
by Mia Redrick, Baltimore Parenting Examiner
The prep time for these parties went from taking time to blow up balloons and stuff treat bags to booking six months in advance. You don’t want to be the only mom who didn’t throw her son the “laser/paintball/skate-boarding party” at the hottest new place in town!
Just recently, a woman at a new bowling alley told me on the phone that, for an extra charge, I could have three staff members entertain the kids while they wait for their individual turns to bowl. Can you imagine? Roll the ball down the lane, watch someone blow up a balloon animal, learn a magic trick, color a picture and then take your next turn bowling. Then we wonder why our kids can’t sit still through church?
It’s tough, though. It’s hard to go against the grain when you know whose face will either be lit up by your efforts or sorely disappointed that nobody wanted to come to their plain old cake-and-ice-cream party.
I have an idea. How about we all form a pact? We as mothers will agree to do only cake and ice cream parties with good old-fashioned (and inexpensive) party games. We’ll blow up the balloons, use streamers hung from the dining room light and set up for musical chairs ourselves! Agreed?
Wait, I’m getting an email.
Oh Yea! The band I wanted for my son’s birthday party is available!
Just kidding, but you get the picture.
On a serious note. We recently celebrated my son's birthday with two friends at a Baysocks Game. The Baysocks are a AAA Division team located in Bowie, Maryland. The stadium organizers understand how to make baseball fun and enjoyable for children. At the end of each game, children are able to run the bases on the field. On selected nights their is a spectacular fireworks show. Cost of admission is only $7.00 per child. Who said that fun has to cost a million dollars?
Share your best picks for inexpensive and fun birthday party options by adding a comment to this post.
Live fully,
Mia
Topics: Bowie Baysocks , birthday party
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