It is very simple. Quit making cakes like this:
and creating snacks like this:
and throwing birthday parties like this:
(I should clarify that if you are crafty, or a baker, and you truly derive great joy out of spending hours painstakingly creating Hello Kitty cake pops that will be eaten in a single bite, then that's awesome and I'm glad you have an outlet. It doesn't make you a better mom than anyone else, but if you love it, great. But do not ever complain that you are stressed over getting the decorations ready in time for Mayzleigh's first birthday party if it resembles the above extravaganza in even the smallest way, or indicate a desire to simplify your life whilst crafting your child's snack into a scene from Beauty and the Beast. And above all, don't do it just so you can take a picture to display online. It seems like before the one-upmanship platform of mommy blogs came along, a whole lot fewer kids were getting three-tiered ombre fondant cakes for their birthdays, is what I'm saying. I'm not a mom yet, but I'm taking an early stand against making my life unnecessarily complicated for online bragging rights. That's all.)
kthxbai :)
kthxbai :)
Amen! I'm pretty sure all the moms are going to laugh at Ada's bday party this year. Just water balloons and cupcakes. Heaven forbid!
ReplyDeleteHave my children even had a birthday party? Sheesh. Have you SEEN some of the bento box lunches people are coming up with?!?!? Where are all the PB&Js?
ReplyDeleteI love to bake but have no desire to make things look fancy. I just eat it instead.
Looks like I am gonna be the wicked awesome parent that buys the love of our children through my blood, sweat, tears, and fondant.
ReplyDelete"One-upmanship platform of mommy blogs?" Brilliant. :)
ReplyDeleteYes! I wish I could put my thoughts into words as nicely as you do. Because if I could this is exactly what I would say on this topic.
ReplyDeleteAmen. You should only every do ANYTHING because you want to and because it's meaningful, not to impress others.
ReplyDeleteI know that sounds pithy, but I really believe that. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of you...only what God thinks of you and what you think of you. Because if you live your life in such a way that those two people are happy with you, EVERYONE ELSE's esteem will fall into or out of its proper place.
I think our moms had the same cultural pressures, but for them it was baking bread and sewing clothes. Those things are still on the list, but lots more has been added. And then blogger and pinterest came along and made it seem like "EVERYONE was craftier than you" and the pressure was exponential-ized (I'm an English major).
Anyway. I agree.
AAAAAMEN.
ReplyDeleteThanks for saying this. My husband told me I had to stop reading some of the blogs I read daily because they were making me depressed. And I don't even have kids yet! I've already vowed never to spend tons of time putting a party together after I saw a BABY BLESSING that probably cost about $500 to put together and looked like it came out of Martha Stewart magazine. Isn't the point of a baby blessing the blessing? OK, I'm done.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100%. I went to a little girls birthday a while back with my daughter and absolutely LOVED that the mom had kept everything SO simple...pin the tail on the donkey....jumping on the tramp with the sprinkler on underneath...grilled cheeses and kool-aid....and a sheet cake with basic supermarket candles! Very old-school....but very refreshing too. Keep it real. Kids just want to play and stuff their faces with cake.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, yes. Yessssssss. I went to a party where the cupcakes had edible gold leafing on the top. I was tempted to stick it in my purse and hawk it on eBay.
ReplyDeletebut the pictures!!! it HAS to be perfect for the PICTURES!!!!
ReplyDelete