Why not the simple things?

[ladyauthor2b]

I've been off work the past couple of days, mostly because it happened to be my 3rd anniversary on the 27th. My hubby and me always try to take some time off just for ourselves, whether we go off somewhere romantic or not. Of course we try to do something fun, but economics lately doesn't help. Still we do things we enjoy, like barbecuing or fishing. Or just watching movies together. The point is spending quality time, right?

Anyway, I also got a little time in to catch up on reading, in books or seeing what's on the Internet. I'm a big fan of looking at stuff about celebrities. They live such an alternative lifestyle than from most average Americans like me. I came across a little blog the other day about the type of theme birthday parties they throw for their children. I believe Suri, Tom Cruise's & Katie Holmes' young daughter, just celebrated turning 2 years old and OMG! Her birthday party cost over $10,000! I could not believe what I read! And it seems to be the thing for these popular celebrities to do, just throw out huge sums of money for the kids and mostly for their posh friends!

Then this morning, on the CBS morning show, they were talking about how certain types of cell phones come with baby rattle sound effects, soothing music and sound effects, and can even be used to teach your child to spell, etc. You just give them the cell phone to play with and it would entertain them for hours!  see info on gadgets here.

Well, I dunno about these trends. I think if you hand over a high tech gadget like that to a child, it doesn't teach them the value of respecting mommy's property. I have an older cell phone that doesn't do much, but even I still have problems relinquishing it to my teenager to use once in a while, because it cost me to get it in the first place and to pay for that service every month. When my daughter has lost a phone in the past, I give her a huge lecture about keeping up with her things. That's its not cheap to fork over $50 in order for her to get a replacement phone. So why do these parents think it's neat to let baby handle their cell phones like its a toy? Just to play with the sound effects to lull them to keep occupied? I think there's something wrong with this concept, somehow. Granted, maybe for a few minutes, like you're at the grocery store and trying to check out, might you hand over the phone to keep the child amused for a moment or two, but still you must teach that child to value your things.

And what about those huge parties? I am all for having them with a theme, because they can be very cute and memorable, but I don't think a party should be over $10,000. Nor do I think they should go over $100.  I believe birthday parties, for a young child, should be personal, with immediate family & friends gathering to celebrate. When a child enters schools and has new friends enter their lives, then the birthday party can be for them too. Let them play in the yard, play pin the tail on the donkey, take them to swim park if its summer time, or a game zone at the mall if they are a bit older. Serve cake, punch, finger foods, and give a little gift bag with simple things like toy figurines, puzzles, crayons, or candy.  I was flabbergasted to read that the little goodie bags the celebrities were winging out there had Ipods in them along with other expensive novelties, mostly for the adults who came to the party.  They had customized cakes, real ponies to ride, actresses hired to portray Disney characters, etc. Wow! No wonder the cost of these parties added up, especially if they were throwing it for the adults as well.

I could never do that, but of course, I'm not a celebrity. Still I wonder what it teaches these kids in the long run, if they do this same thing every year. Wouldn't they grow up expecting a blow out from now on? I think there is still something magical about an intimate gathering of family and friends. The conversations are heart warming as they might reminsce about the day one was born, or some cute little thing done as a child. Isn't it the value of family and love that really counts and not the need to go over the top just to impress other people?  What do you think? Shouldn't all this be about the simple things in life?

[letsgetreal]

May. 30, 2009 at 2:32 PM

This is a great and meaningful journal. My sentiments exactly.