Outrageous Birthday Bashes

Mamas have heard rumors about a new out-of-control, over-the-top trend for the ‘tween set. Starting at a minimum of $25,000, real fashion designers will host your pre-teen daughter and her friends in the party room at FAO Schwartz’ Fifth Avenue location. The budding fashionistas will create their own designs to be professionally manufactured. Weeks later they return to the store for a fashion show and ice-cream party. We’re not entirely sure, but Mamas think this may be sending the wrong values message. Does an 11-year-old need this extravagant interpretation of playing dress-up? Do we want to focus this much attention on appearance as a defining measure of a young girls’ worth? Our kids absorb what we value by watching what we do, how we spend our time, and where we place our family resources. What ever happened to the slumber party with manicures, popcorn, and a PG-13 video?