Mom says she won't be throwing birthday parties for her kid every year, sparking debate

Parenting is a field where individuals will have, more than often, different approaches to raising a child. A strategy effective for one might not seem suitable to other parents. A mom named Marissa, who goes by @marissalight on TikTok, posted a video that has now gone viral as it features her expressing her views on throwing birthday parties for her daughter. The video has got over 400K views and around 5K comments till now.

Marissa believes she is not obligated as a mother to conduct yearly birthday parties for her daughter. "Here's the deal: She's getting a first birthday party, she is getting a sweet 16 and she is getting a graduation party. Other than that, she is not getting any more birthday parties," says the mom. 

Marissa says she has been to many parties of kids from different age groups and according to her, those parties were not enjoyable even when they had kids' friends or family as guests. She did not like going to those birthday parties when she wasn't a parent and still does not. Marissa recalls that the children did not care if she was present at the venues. Having such an experience, she feels it is not right to force her friends and family to show up for her daughter's yearly birthday parties. Marissa also mentions how parents who like to throw yearly birthday parties for their kids should continue to do so as it is their choice.

She says, "My daughter will be loved and celebrated on her birthday every single year. It just won't be in that way." Marissa then explains how her daughter would have a small get-together with her family for her birthday every year. In addition to that, she would have an "All About You Day," a special breakfast, and whatever other fun activity that she wants to do. The family would also go for a dinner where the child would have their undivided attention.

Marissa also shares how her daughter could eventually pick whether to throw a party for her friends or have a one-on-one day with her family. She concludes the video by reiterating how people who want to throw yearly birthday parties should go ahead and do it. However, she did not want to deal with the stress of organizing a party like that every year and forcing her relatives and friends to come. She says, "I'd rather just let my daughter celebrate in a way that she wants to celebrate."

Her views were naturally met with some criticism from viewers on the platform. @funariaa expressed, "I had a friend like this. Your daughter will be getting birthday parties; they just won't be thrown by you, and she'll remember." @sadiefn also had an opposing viewpoint to Marissa, saying, "I never had bday parties growing up, and I was always jealous of the kids in my class who got them. Currently pregnant and she'll have her parties if she wants them."

Other people appreciated the woman's approach. @aii_the_way_mae said, "Having dinner and cake with family is still a birthday party, though. Just with an inclusive guest list." @jenn8654 pointed out, "An introverted kid will love this. Just make sure that you're celebrating that kid the way they'd like, not the way you want to celebrate them."

For more mom-related content, you can follow Marissa (@marissalight) on TikTok.