A Growing Boy
L hasn’t had a haircut for, oh, probably 6 months. I’ve been bugging him about it for awhile, but he kept insisting he was “growing it like Anakin Skywalker’s.” He has very thick hair with crazy waves and cowlicks (like me), so even though he wants to grow it long-ish, he really needs to get it thinned and cleaned up. I finally laid down the law and told him he had to get it trimmed before his birthday. So today he got a haircut. Not that you can tell by the photo.
I love that his hair is long. I love that he now has to approve clothing purchases. I love that he wants to do more things on his own. But planning his own birthday party? OK, now I’m getting insulted.
I love planning parties. I go all out with themed decorations, food, invitations, games, and goody bags. This year, L informed me that he wanted to make his own invitations. Those of you who know me know that I love creating hand-made cards and clever invitations, so I was crushed. Crushed I tell you.
He went to work with some card stock and rubber stamps. He made about 5 invites, then decided he wanted help. But I was not to have any real input, I just had to do what he said. No elaborate photo or card design. Just a printout on a regular sheet of computer paper. Ugh. But I went with it.
Then we started planning the party. He just wanted his friends over to our house to play. Mmmkay… But I couldn’t leave it alone. I found some game and food ideas and starting suggesting. A few things caught his attention and now we’re both pretty excited about the party plans.
But I’m still struggling with the fact that maybe he really just wanted to hang out with his friends. Maybe he’s getting too old for the “theme” parties. I know it’s all about his birthday, but isn’t it also about showing your friends and family a good time? Are parties for the guest of honor — or for the guests?
PHAT = Parenting, Homeschooling And Technology. That about sums up my life at the moment. 
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Steph. | Nov 10, 2006 | Reply
Your son has to be close to the age of 7. My son wanted to do the same thing for Halloween with the Anakin hair. Then, he found a Clone Trooper costume and thank goodness forgot. He doesn’t have cute curls in his hair like yours. His hair is fine and blonde and straight. He’d look more like Chewbacca, I fear…
Sue | Nov 10, 2006 | Reply
My son was Anakin Skywalker also. But he has a tail so long that we got to braid it as the older Anakin had. Extended family are beginning to talk about cutting off his precious tail but he won’t have any of it. I love that! I hope he has a great party.
Andrea | Nov 10, 2006 | Reply
Good for you for clamping down on your own urges and letting him makles the invites. one day, he’ll think that was awesome of you.
For us, the party is for the birthday boy or girl first, the guests second, and mom last.
Charity | Nov 10, 2006 | Reply
Oh. I can relate. I love doing parties, too. I haven’t had the kids tell me that they didn’t want me to, though - yet. That will be hard.
The hair. My 9YO son grew his hair out to a 4 or 5 inch afro (he’s biracial, so he has kinky dark hair). Then, he wanted it cut into a mohawk, which he wore spiked sometimes. Thankfully, he decided he wanted it cut off after a couple of months.
You’re an awesome mom to let him do things his way.
Angela | Nov 10, 2006 | Reply
Every time I see your son’s hair, I think that kid has great hair. He has hair that grown women likely envy.
I just finished a big birthday party, being the type of person who liked the just hang with my friends party, it is interesting to me how much other parents enjoy the big themed parties. It is a joy of being a parent, you have an excuse to throw an over the top party for someone you love.
Angela, Mother Crone | Nov 10, 2006 | Reply
I will remind you that you love that hair and clothing purchases have to be approved, okay? LOL! I cannot tell you what a pain this becomes when they are teens!
About the party…I have to say I never had either of my kids want to control everything with their parties yet. They have always had full control over the guest list, but I am big into theme parties, and they love to be surprised with all the activities. I give them three themes to pick from, and they just let me run with it. They are always amazed and end up loving it.
I would have a terribly hard time NOT doing the theme thing if one of them had pushed it though. A birthday party IS something different than just hanging out with friends, and should be special. I would probably push for games and crafts,and tell my child that they can have their friends just hang out another day if that is what htey really want.
As a guest, I admit I always hated those parties where the kids just sat around with nothing planned. My kids used to come home and thank me for planning such great parties for them, because the others are lame. Good luck, whatever you decide!