A MUM has sparked a fierce debate after revealing she cancelled her eight-year-old’s birthday celebrations, in an attempt to discipline the child.
Whether at a theme park or a cute café, birthday parties are childhood memories that stay with you forever.
However, one parent has made the decision to cancel her son’s birthday party plans this weekend and it’s divided opinions on social media.
Sharing the situation on Reddit, the mum explained that her only child is turning eight and they had a special party to look forward to, surrounded by all of his friends and family.
She wrote: “Yesterday we were informed by his school that he pulled another kid’s pants and underwear down.
“We were obviously not happy with this incident, explained how it’s wrong and gave an appropriate punishment by taking electronics away.
”This morning, I got a call from his principal telling me how he attacked a kindergartner at recess before school started and was pushing him down to the ground and spanking him.”
The horrified mum went on to write: ”“The child is traumatized. I am absolutely beside myself.”
But although she said there would be ”many punishments coming his way”, alongside apology letters, she’s also considering cancelling the weekend party.
”We will be taking away all electronics, no play dates, he has to go work for his dad doing some hard labour, and an early bedtime.
”I am also looking into therapy for him. This is obviously a pretty big deal, so should I also cancel his birthday party?”
Fellow Redditors were in two minds – although they agreed with the mum, some reckoned this wasn’t a ”punishment”.
One social media user wrote: “I would cancel it because you need to go into essentially lockdown mode to figure out what’s going on with your son to make him suddenly act like this.
”You can still have a little family celebration, but he’s not going to get better until you know what’s wrong.”
Another agreed, adding that they should still celebrate the big day – but just with a small family gathering.
”Your comments and the other ones below it are all good points on why a ‘party’ is not a safe or good idea right now, but that no kid should have to completely miss his birthday.”
With so much choice, how to know which pick to go for? And more importantly – which popular choices will assist the child’s development?
Here to help fellow parents is expert and mum-of-two Kirsty Ketley, who shared the five common items you’d never find in her home during Christmas or birthdays.
Someone else explained why they thought the celebrations would be a disaster even if it was to take place.
“Chances are that no kids will turn up to his party even if it went ahead.
”I wouldn’t let my kid go.
”And having no-shows could hurt him even more than he clearly already is.”
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