Written by Kelsi Karruli, Dailymail.Com
20:23 22 February 2024, updated 20:27 22 February 2024
A mother has sparked a heated debate after revealing she plans to only have birthday parties for her children when they turn one and 16.
Marissa Wright, 28, a mother of one with an 11-month-old daughter named Daisy, frequently shares parenting tips on her TikTok account, which boasts more than 2,900 followers.
Recently, the Pennsylvania-based mother took to the video-sharing platform to expose her controversial views, in which she said she only throws her daughter's birthday party twice in her life. (1st time was 1st time, 1st time was 16th time).
In a viral video that has racked up more than 412,000 views to date, she details her “hot mom perspective” and attends a friend's child's celebration even though she doesn't have any children herself. He said he decided not to go to the party because he didn't like doing it. She should not subject her friends to the same event.
“Under no circumstances would I throw a birthday party for my daughter every year,” Marissa said at the beginning of the video.
“Here's the deal: She'll have a first birthday party, she'll get her sweet sixteen, and after her birthday in March she'll have a graduation party.” Other than that, she'll have no more birthday parties. It is not. ”
The mother explained that she and her husband decided not to host an event for their children because they had attended many children's birthday parties but never enjoyed them.
“Now I've been to a lot of children's birthday parties, whether they're 3, 7, or 12 years old. Sorry, but as someone who didn't have kids at the time, I don't think it was fun. It wasn’t,” she said.
“And I don't think that kid even knew I was there. I'm not going to force that on my friends and family.”
Marissa said she doesn't mind other people throwing birthday parties for their children, but she wouldn't do it for her own children.
“Look, if you're the type of person who genuinely enjoys throwing a kid's birthday party, welcome home, queen,” she explained.
“Do what you want to do. I'm not trying to tell other people how to live their lives. Personally, I don't think it's necessary and I don't plan on doing it.”
She also said that although she won't throw her daughter a lavish party, she plans to host a family dinner on her special day and celebrate with cake.
“We have dinner and cake with them every year to celebrate our daughter's birthday,” she added.
“And every year on her birthday, we’re going to have a ‘Daisy Day’ or an ‘All About You Day.’ ”
The 28-year-old mother said she plans to take her daughter shopping on her special day and give her plenty of love and attention.
She also explained that when she has other children, she will let them choose whether they want to include their siblings in their special day.
At the end of the clip, the mother summed up her main points.
“And once again, if you want to throw a once-a-year party, throw a once-a-year party. As someone who has been to a lot of events and felt obligated to attend, is just saying we're not going to do that,” she said.
“Planning, planning, and hosting parties is a lot of stress for me, and I wouldn't do that to any of my friends who don't have kids or families with growing kids. It's just that a lot of people sit at home all day. I don't like being there.”
Marissa's video sparked a heated debate, with many people rushing to the comments section to criticize the mother-of-one's views.
One person said, “You wouldn't believe how many people listen to the first 10 seconds and that's it.”
“Poor baby, she deserves a birthday party just like everyone else,” another posted.
Another added: “I had a friend like this.'' Your daughter will have a birthday party for her, but you won't be hosting it. Then she'll remember. ”
“That's one day a year,” chimed in a fourth person.
One user said, “Everyone deserves a birthday party every year.” I have a few best friends, even if they are small ones. ”
“But they're not for you. It's their birthday party,” chimed in a TikTok user.
One commenter typed, “As someone who couldn't make it to the birthday party, please do that for your child.”
“So you're not letting your child have a birthday party because you didn't want to go to one?” another user wrote.
“Kids who don't have parties (and therefore don't invite anyone) are usually just like the kids whose parents never invite them,” a social media user mused.
“It's so sad that so many parents these days are only thinking about themselves and taking away what their children like. It's so sad for the child,” one comment read.
However, others agreed with the mother of two, pointing out that “introverted” children would love it.
One person said: “An introverted child will love this.” Make sure you're celebrating the child the way they want, not the way you want to celebrate them. ”
Another wrote: “This is the perfect setup. When she's too young and not interested in partying, she's given the day. If she wants it, you're in on it too. Perfect.”
Another added: “Love this idea.”
'Amen! ! ! My daughter got her 1st 5th and her 16th. That's it, her last number 1 becomes her number 21. She was lucky to get that many,” a fourth woman commented.
“I loved this more than birthday parties when I was a kid,” one social media user shared.
“You guys are taking this video out of context. Children still have the option of having a birthday party, it's just not the default choice,” a supporter wrote.
In an interview with Today, Marissa said she was branded “selfish” by viewers.
“But it's a little bit about me. I want to make those memories with my daughter. “If she wants to turn into a princess, I want to sit in the chair next to her and put lots of glitter in her hair,” she said.
