He's 8!

birthday  - My son's 8th birthday
By Toni
@toniganzon (72285)
Philippines
March 18, 2012 6:39pm CST
My son turned 8 last March 14. Though we didn't have a big party like we used to on his birthday, he was happy and you can clearly see that on the photo that i've attached in this discussion. I felt a bit guilty though that we didn't have a party for him. We just had a family dinner with his grandma, nanny and his aunt. In fact for me, there was really nothing special held on his birthday and that's why i was a bit sad for that. My son on the other hand was quite content and didn't complain at all. He got his $300 longboard, a Quicksilver sports watch that he like so much, a kite he's been wishing for and a tech deck toy that he's starting to collect as a hobby. The original plan was to spend his birthday in Boracay but it was he, himself who decided not to go because he would rather skate on his long board than travel. Though i felt guilty, i was just happy to see him smile and happy on his birthday. Besides it's his feelings that matter most.
1 person likes this
9 responses
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
19 Mar 12
Well, you have a cute son. Look, just because he did not want to go anywhere does not mean he wasn't happy. He was happy I am sure just being with you and of course getting the toys he wanted. My son was starting to rolled those TechDecks also. He got tons of them for christmas. Now he is into his X-Box games. They are content with the things they like.
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
19 Mar 12
Yeah i guess so. He's happy with his long board and he got me into that sport too.
1 person likes this
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
24 Mar 12
Thats cool. With kids it's like we can relive our youth sometimes. Enjoy.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
19 Mar 12
What is important Toni, is that you have given him what his heart desires. Besides, you have a family dinner where the most important persons are present, so i think it's more than enough for him already. Lucky kid that's what your son is , for having parents like you and your hubby that are good provider for some luxuries.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
19 Mar 12
Even though i know that it's important i still couldn't help feeling guilty. But i think i should stop feeling that as he has something to remind him of his 8th birthday and that is his longboard.
@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
19 Mar 12
I'm sure he had a great time just the same. I envy the kid, having parents who could afford those gadgets for him at a very young age. I hope he learns to appreciate those things and all that you do for him. Happy birthday to your son!
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
19 Mar 12
I'm hoping the same. I just want him to be responsible with what he owns.
• Nigeria
19 Mar 12
Tony, no need to feel guilty. Happiness or joy is not inhow big but how special. You gave him all he had dreamt of and that is more than a birthday Party! At least it was recorded that his dream came to pass. I have a son who clocked 8 on feb 20 this year. There was no party but he had his wishes which made him very happy. So be happy.
• Philippines
19 Mar 12
With children, it's usually the simple things that matter most. As kids, we would want for them to stay kids for as long as we could. Don't worry, his more "extravagant" ways will come..hehehe! I know of little kids, toddlers even, who are ALREADY "high-maintenance" in terms of wants, needs, pleasures...and lifestyle, in general. Boy, oh boy...i can just see their parents' faces . By the way, happy birthday to your little guy! I wish him all the best in LIFE!
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
19 Mar 12
You have no idea how extravagant he is. Last year he's got an ipad for his birthday plus other expensive presents. This year his longboard originally costs $350 but we got a fair discount at $300. He's got other gadgets that you won't believe an 8 year old already possess.
• Philippines
19 Mar 12
well, it's a good thing then that he has well-to-do parents like you!
1 person likes this
@Rick1950 (1575)
• Lima, Peru
19 Mar 12
Nice photo. Both are celebrating very happy. Being with your son you're showing the love you feel to him and that's the most important for him. Happy celebrating.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
19 Mar 12
Thank you. We had a lovely dinner.
• Philippines
19 Mar 12
You know you had a good son. He never intend for you to spend so much for his birthday. And I think what makes him happy the most is that you and your family are together in his birthday (aside from the gifts that he had received). That, for him, is the best birthday he had.
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
19 Mar 12
The truth is we still spent a lot with his expensive presents. I think he just got tired of all the parties that he had in the past and he thinks of parties as for kids. He's seeing himself as a bit old for that.
• Bangalore, India
19 Mar 12
Any case all the parents want see their child happy.This is beyond geographical regions,religions and casts.You see him happy after his birthday celebrations and so you don't need to regret for the reason that you have not celebrated his birthday in vast way.Ok it always go on life and I am sure your child has learned one lesson from this occasion that only big parties doesn't mean celebration and it can be done with our loved ones in simple way also.
• India
29 Jun 12
I think you shouldn’t feel guilty at all because in the end all that maters is his hapiness on his birthday. It sounds like you already got that well coverd. And if you still feel sad you can work on saving and throw him an awesome party come next year.
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
2 Jul 12
He no longer wants a party. He has had awesome parties since he was one, we even had movie stars as guests on his party once. At a very young age he's pretty conscious about finances. Now he's just telling us it's a waste of money.