Hello readers

What is the best short term return on your parenting investment? For me (teddy bear hugs aside), it is planning my kids' parties. I love researching and coming up with ideas for themes, decor and party games. It's so easy to get carried away creating and co-ordinating the perfect party for your child. My husband tells me that I make far too much work for myself. He says all you need is some friends, space for the kids to run around, a cake and some snacks. Oh yes, and some beer for the dads. Every year after each party, I lie exhausted on the couch with knots in my shoulders from the stress and aches in my back and feet, and I totally agree with him. "You are right." (It is one of the few times my husband hears me utter these words). "Next year we are having a small celebration and the kids are entertaining themselves. In fact, you can organise the party." My husband rolls his eyes at my empty threats. As usual, the following year I am at it again, researching, crafting, co-ordinating!

This year I finally made good on my threats and let my husband have a go at planning my son's birthday party. He and my son agreed on a ten-pin bowling party with 12 kids, a cake and a party pack with snacks for each child. Simple with very little work involved but booking the lanes, ordering a cake and picking up some snacks for the party packs. The bowling alley took a pounding (fortunately there were no broken fingers or toes), the kids had a fantastic time and all I had to do was help cut the cake and take a few photos. My son and husband were so happy and proud of their achievement, I didn't have to feel guilty about doing so little and the best part was there was no tidying up to do afterwards.

I love that about young children. You can put as little or as much effort into a party as you like and they will make their own fun and have a great time, so long as they get to invite some friends, blow out some candles on their cake and have a day set aside just for them!

What kind of party parent are you? Do you like to arrange the whole shebang? Do you pay someone else to do the planning and co-ordinating? Do you just take a few friends to the entertainment centre at the mall or have a quiet celebration at home? Or have you tried all of the above? Tell us on our Facebook page or email us, we would love to hear from you. Visit our party directory for a range of party related products and services and use our kids party planner and budget spreadsheet to help you plan your kids party.

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www.kidzworld.co.za