Am I way too oldfashioned?

[Cry Tears]

I'm wondering whats wrong with me....am I way too seriously old fashioned and outdated...way behind the times?
I'll explain because this has me steamin angry at how shallow this sounded to me....a mother giving her 8 YO Birthday Party in the richest town...big time snob town.
This woman tries to put on "airs"...lead people to think they're filthy rich when on welfare! They live in her parants MOTORHOME on someones property because she insist on having a Lake Oswego address, the richest town in Oregon where they don't have any poor people and sidewalks filled with eleite shops, expensive BMW's, Mercedez Benz, Jaguars line the streets...can't even get a parking space anywhere near the numerous sollons.
I drive in my pick up truck...people thumb their noses at me...guess they don't like cowgirls! And I walked into the local Starbucks with Horse poop on my boots! Yuk! How dare I go to THEIR elite STARBucks and order a latee! Can't even spell it right!
OK...my son lives and does this as well...pretending to have, when dont.
Such a sham! Turns my stomach!
My grand daughter is 8 YO and goes to class with the girl I'm writting about.
The mother was throwing her 8th BD party at one of these elite nail salons where the girls were to have a manacure and pedacures, tanning optional if wanted....we were to pay the $35- $65 cost for each child we'd brought to this party, depending on what they'd had done. That in itself is tacky to me.

If you're going to be shallow enough to have the children play grownup, then the person inviting and hosting the party should pay for entire affair!

And what happend to a good old fashioned party where they play games, sing songs, eat junk and sing HBday, cut the cake...maybe even have a pinata filled with candy and junk!?!?
Do people do these still...or am I totally outdated???
Is an 8 YO ready for such treatment...I mean having nails done like this?
I don't even go to these places...I've had only one pedicure in my life, find that way too spendy and I worry about fungus and fumes!
Why do these tiny little Orientle people doing these wear those mask?
Is it THAT dangerous?
Are the fumes THAT TOXIC?
Why on earth would you subject your young child to this then if it is?
Do girls find this fun way to spend time together?
My grandchild chose not to go...mostly because of my negative spin I gave this....and she wanted to stay here with me rather than go.
I thought Chuck E Cheese place was bad enough....
such utter chaos and confusion, noisy... did the kids really have fun?
I didn't see that many happy faces...
I did see a lot of crying, grabbing, running, begging for more coins, arguing and fighting...no wonder they serve beer and wine there!
My DIL had such party for my 6 YO grandson...then ooops! Her crdit card was declined....asking me to pay the $200 bill for the numerous pizzas and party package for all the freinds and familys she'd invited. OMG! I didn't expect that one...ha! Think this was a plan...I never did get paid back for that one! Wow! Yeah, drink up, have all you want! I'm not paying anyway!

What happened to play grounds, parks, swimming pools, backyard parties and just plain fun running around playing games and having races.
Would an 8 YO find it fun sitting in a chair having a woman filing and polishing your nails?
I serioulsly doubt they'd choose this over a party even if it was held out in a dirty back yard! Where they could run free and be a kid!
Is something wrong with ME?
Cheryl

[Gymnast_Navy_Wife]

Cheryl---
I don't think there is anything wrong with ya. You made a lot of good points in this post.

Personally, I would fault (for lack of a better word) the parents vs. the child in this situation. The mom is the one choosing to have this type of party for the little girl-- I am not sure if an 8 yo really wants to play "grown up". Much less expecting the guests to pay big $$$$$ for it.( Btw-- whatever happend to sleepovers where the tweens did each others nails, hair, etc ?! ) Kids are growing up wayyyyyy too fast now days as it is......

I remember when I was growing up we had birthday parties at McDonalds-- all the kiddos got kids meals, played on the playground, had some cake and that was it; sleepovers (where we did our own hair/nails, etc ), skating, cook outs, etc. Tame things--- where the focus was not on who has the best, biggest, etc--- but rather celebrating a special occasion.

Just my .02.....

:) GNW

ps-- about Chuck E Cheese--- my dh and I took our 7 yo nephew there a few weeks ago, and even I admit (as I am 20 something and supposed to be "grown up" )-- ALL three of us had a great time.....

[linniec]

No,
You're just sane.


Sad thing is, 8-year-olds might be impressed. People who are 21 up would be disgusted.You do not pretend. You have party. You pay for party. . Those kids' mothers are teaching them that only things/ debt , not self, matter. All big No Nos.

I feel sorry for the birthday girls. Their mothers' etiquette and judgement are atrocious.

Linnie

[Buttons2]

Cheryl, we live in strange times....I know someone that spent $500 to have a BD party @ a skating rink,she can't even pay her utilities! This was for a 6yr old!

No, you are not old fashioned. We're just not into today's "fashion". Charge now & forget about the future!

When I'm not being angry/upset about today's society-I actually have to feel sorry for today's kids,always needing to be entertained. I recall making mud pies! Sleepovers-now that's a fond memory & I bet the only expense was for some junk food!

I cringe everytime I see the commercial for BabyTV!! What's with that? Good thing I don't have grandchildren eh?

[Cry Tears]

Gymnist Navy wife...LOL! When McD's got popular was back in mid 60's when I was just learning to drive!
We got hamburgers, 5 for $1 ! :eek: Back then a happy meal was...."A HAPPY MEAL!"...when your folks weren't yellin and your tummy got fed!
I think then was the very first time I'd tasted french fries! Imagine that!!!
But back then a dollar was lots of money...and being mostly vegan, except when we ate meat...as my little sister would say.
And getting a burger was almost "sinful"...espeically for the SDA town of Loma Linda...was big taboo there that harbors mostly vegetarians!

I'm not trying to "dis" Chuck E Cheese, or say is bad....
But just any time we've gone there is very noisy and overwhelming with all the kids running around,
the crying, begging kids...and yelling parants...is what I've observed every time we've gone there.

Is just MY opinion that kids would be happier playing on teeter todders and swings....maybe building sand castles in a sandbox.

But I'm a grandmother...and over 55, don't have the nerves like I did when in my younger years...
when I could handle anything back then. (I worked in law enforcement)...nothing worse than screaming inmate women!

Perhaps having chronic pain and illness also plays a part of my dislike for noisy confusing situations.
My 9 YO grandduaghter sure loved the parties she'd attended there when younger...now she's too grown up for such! ha!...like having nails done! LoL!

I did have a huge "cowboy" party for her 7th BD.
had real ponies for kids to ride and a professional entertainer "mother goose" lady who cooked up a " magical cake" which had a bunny pop out.
That was fun...but a bit overwhelming having 28 kids here...ended with a pool party afterwards! Wow!
But we have a few acres of property and live/love way out in the country.
Maybe counrty living makes you have different views and goals...perhaps even far as say different values?....not sure.

Won't be having too many parties like this one any time soon! It grew on us, didn't want to leave any kid out...ened up inviting every kid she knew thru school and church.
Grandmas tend to spoil when you see they're living troubled lives....wanting to make them happy...would to ANYTHING to make them smile.

I wish life were easier and much simpler and when people paid what they owe'd,
not spend money on foolishness when cupboards are bare, tummys go hungry...
but they're wearin "Baby Gaps!"...I know this from actual experience from 3 family members who've actually done such.
It always made me sad for the kids suffering. while mom and dad had to be "Lookin good goin bye" while the state pays for thier rent and food.
Is just sad to see the way some younger kids operate.
Blessings, cheryl

[Tootsie]

It seems to be the latest attempt to "keep up with the Joneses," so it's a contest, not a birthday party. There are other things that have gone the same way.

My youngest son was very social and in 6th grade was invited to the Sadie Hawkins Day dance at the local high school by an acquaintance of his older sister. He took her to Taco Bell for supper and they bought matching tee shirts for the dance. Now, they go to a restaurant and buy whole outfits!

Later, when he got to high school (and by this time I had purchased a rental shoppes second hand tuxedo because he got invited to the prom every year), everyone was talking about how expensive it was. Of course, they all had to go to the priciest restaurant where the girls were so nervous they couldn't eat the expensive, overpriced food. Then, everyone now rents a limo, so that's more money. The dance isn't in the school gym decorated with crepe paper. It's is a hotel ball room, etc. etc. My son was really jaded on the whole scene by the time he was old enough to ask the girl he wanted to go with. As a joke, he and a friend suggested that they fly to San Diego for dinner! Well, the classmates didn't realize he was being sarcastic, and after looking into it, found they could fly to San Diego, rent a limo to pick them up at the airport, go to dinner and fly home, just as easily as doing the local thing! Of course, the limo was just for a short time, essentially eating dinner.
The driver offered to take them on the Miramar AFB where "Top Gun" was filmed. They weren't allowed on the base but the limo couldn't turn around, so the guards had to let them in so the limo could get itself back out! It was quite the talk around school. They got to the dance about 10. Cheerio.

[Ingwaz]

This makes me terribly sad. It's not oldfashioned at all! It's moral!! I don't have kids myself, much too young and poor for that, but I am dating and this is what I look foward too

Either A) ride public transport, Oh Em Gee, to my guy's house, coz I can't drive, or B) wait until 5-7 PM when he wakes up (he sleeps days, works nights,) and go to a very unfancy, cheap chinese food place.

Get fortune cookie. Ramble on about poetics and if it'll come true. Go to his house to thank his Mother for letting me stay a little longer--and sit with his whole family sometimes, watching baseball! If we want privacy, we go to his room and nap, because he's tired. I'm so lucky when I get kisses, I love my mna so so much, he does so much for me ^_^

takes me home, kisses me at the door--or if having a bad night (I have narcolepsy complexes and will often wake-dream (hallucinate,)--he will actually tuck me in, honost, respectful tuck in, (virgin and proud!) , sit with me till I sleep, and leave.

Maybe I'm old fashioned too ^_^ hahaha, I'm only 21 :p

If I have kids, I tell you, they will be noncomformists, watch star trek, play a instrument, everything most parents find outragious...why? because I don't beleive in playing petty. I want them to have nice clothes--pretties dresses and nicest shoes--but like I tell Juan about me, don't buy it unless it's a good deal, because I don't need much to be happy :)


phew. Being old fashioned is fun! I mean that too. :)