[NATPR]

My son decided he wanted to go on a boys ski trip (with dad), staying overnight and doing a ski lesson for his bday (which falls in July), rather than a big friend party. I dont know why but I feel bad, as 5th birthday is meant to be 'the big one' LOL I'm being silly arn't I?? I am thinking of suggesting he chooses a couple of friends to take to the movies.Anyone else not had a big friend 5th?

This post has been edited by NATPR: 11/03/2012, 09:20 PM

[marley*and*me]

My 5yo just had a lunch with his cousins and grandparents - there was no "party" involved. I did make a birthday cake but I like doing that.

[Procrastinator50...]

The concept of 'big' number parties is really foreign to me, apart from 18th's and 12st's.

I think each year you just go with what the birthday child most wants to do, limited by the family's capabilities and budget. If he wants a ski trip, that is awesome! I wouldn't bat an eyelid.

[liveworkplay]

Why is 5 a big one?

I see 10, 13, 16, 18, 21 milestone birthdays in a way. I'd just be happy you can get away without one while you can

This post has been edited by liveworkplay: 11/03/2012, 09:27 PM

[3littlegents]

We dont do birthday parties... they are such a competitive thing these days, everyone trying to be bigger and better. We don't even let our kids go to birthday parties when the entire class has been invited, only when we know they are friends with that child.

We did a family bbq with 2 friends for DS1 and DS2 4th bday and will probably do something small every even birthday (4,6,8,10 etc) but they wouldn't get a ski trip and a bday party.

[NATPR]

liveworkplay, I sort of agree. Through friends at mothers group and kinder, they are all doing a big friends party and saying they want their 5th party to be special with all their friends as its a special birthday..

Just hearing heaps of mums saying it and thought have I missed something?? LOL

[NATPR]

BTW the ski trip is something we wanted to do anyway. My DH is a skier and he has said the last 2 years that it would be good to get DS on the ski's while he is young. Beacause we talk about it and DH goes every year, he has decided he wants to join his dad for his bday.

[liveworkplay]

I don't think you have missed anything. We had a few mums do big birthdays for the 5th, whole class things (which is very very uncommon where we are) My girls only get a party every 2 years. Alternate years tey can have one person for dinner and/or sleepover. I neber remember having a party every year. Thankfully we have found after grade 1 they tend to drop off drastically. Unfortunately I still have a prep aged child. Currently we have had one weekend with 2 parties, one with one and another coming up with 2. Needless to say, Miss grade 2 is getting extremely jealous.

[carolinej]

Park party after school? A few bowls of popcorn, a fruit platter, some juice and a birthday cake? We went to a party like that, and the kids had a ball. Must have cost under $20

[bark]

We did a 5th birthday but that was the FIRST time he had a friends party - he had developed friendships on his own so it was his friends.

Its not such a big deal NOT to have a party, he is still celebrating it and tha'ts the main thing.