The worst kid's party favor ever!

[laurabelle]

My 6yr old dd went to a birthday pool party yesterday and before she left, the birthday girl's mom said slyly, "Oh you have to stop on your way out and get your dd's party favor. You're gonna hate me for this one." I asked,"Does it make alot of noise?" and she said, "No, it's worse than that!" Great... Not having a clue, my daughter and I walked to where the mom had stashed the favors and I was shocked when she pulled out a fish bowl, complete with a live goldfish. Of course my dd is thrilled, having never had a pet before, for good reason, we had discussed getting a kitten, but after I told her about the litter box she said no thanks. And I swear the first thing dd said when she saw the fish was that she didn't want to change the litter box and birthday girl's mom pipes in with, "Oh, there's no litter box for a fish sweetie." Grrr, what was I supposed to do, say no??? The mom gave me fish food and my dd was merrily on her way. Well, this afternoon dd went to check on little 'Nemo' only to find him floating, now she's devastated and I'm fuming! I don't know what, if anything, I'm going to do about it, but just wanted to let other parents know that this is the worst kind of party favor to give your guests, especially without any warning!

 

[RUDisney]

My kids got to take home the fish centerpieces a few weeks ago from a graduation party. There were about 5 GF in each bowl. I explained to them that they probably wouldn't survive long, but we could have fun watching them while they last. As it stands now, all of DD's fish are dead and one of DS's fish is still alive.

They put the bowls in their bedrooms, as these were their pets.

I really didn't have any problem with them taking these home, nor would I have cared if they got a fish as a party favor.

Are you just not an "animal person?"

I'm not trying to flame you, just asking. I'm sure that would make a big difference in whether I'd care or not.

 

[floridaminnie]

Why would a parent send home as a party favor a fish, a pet. To bring a pet home is a parent's decision, not a party favor. There is the maintence of keeping up with the pet and then the heartbreak when the pet dies. And I thought candy was bad. Give me candy over a gold fish anyday!

 

[preshi]

I personally think it's rude to give out live animals as favors...people who are given these things may or may not know how to care for them properly and they die... realllly nice. You dont give someone a pet as a favor... jeez

 

[Jenn]

I agree that that is not a great party favor. My soon to be 6 year old daughter is asking for a fish for her birthday. We had a long talk about how easily fish die and how upset she would be if that happened - so I think we are going to hold off for now.

 

[dtuleya]

I agree that it's not an approriate party favor. At least you got a bowl and some food. A DF of mine said her daughter got a bagged fish as a favor and they immediately had to run to the pet store to get supplies. Maybe you should give the birthday child a kitten next year as a gift. Just kidding, but wouldn't you love to see the look on the mom's face!

 

[FOJMO]

I would DEFINITELY have said "No, thank you". Especially, since she had already prefaced it with "you're gonna hate me". She must have guessed how people were going to react.

You don't have to be an animal hater to have politely declined. I wouldn't even feel like I had to give a reason. A flat out "no, but thanks anyway".

That was very presumptuous of her...

 

[CamColt]

Wow! I dont blame you for being ticked.
Thats like a woman I used to work with once gave an ant farm to her daughters friend as a birthday present.

 

[Dancind]

See, it takes all kids. When she was younger, my DD would have been THRILLED to get an ant farm for her birthday. Mom, not so thrilled. Heck, she would probably even like one now! Diana

 

[Dancind]

See, it takes all kinds. When she was younger, my DD would have been THRILLED to get an ant farm for her birthday. Mom, not so thrilled. Heck, she would probably even like one now! But come to think of it, it might be better than the million-bits-of-stuff craft kits she always got! Diana

 

[bcvprincesses]

I thought that you must have been at the same birthday party with my dd who is 6. She left the party with a bag with 2 fish. One for has and one for her sister. They both looked like they would die and second and one died one the way home. The other the next day. I was sooo mad

 

[laurabelle]

Originally posted by RUDisney

Are you just not an "animal person?"

I'm not trying to flame you, just asking. I'm sure that would make a big difference in whether I'd care or not.

I love animals, and have had all kinds as pets my whole life. We haven't had a pet in the house since my dd was about a year old so she doesn't remember. My kids were whining for the kitten and I just told them the truth about the care and cleaning and their interest dropped. I just didn't appreciate that this mom made a decision for our family, did it without any kind of warning, and yeah, she knew how people would react.

 

[RUDisney]

My kids have gotten an ant farm and a tadpole pond, too. I guess I just have a high tolerance for such things. They are interesting learning experiences for the kids and fun for us as a family.

I guess the mother's response probably had alot to do with it, too. If she knew that everyone would hate that favor, why did she give it?

Giving a fish in a bag is just wrong. Period. At least this party favor came with a bowl and food.

 

[Beauty]

I'm a HUGE animal lover but still....that just wasn't right! First of all at the age of 6 how in the world does a child that age not feel hurt when the new pet dies (which usually happens soon to goldfish).

And what if you had cats....I know my cats would simply LOVE me to bring home goldfish. Nope I think it was completly wrong.

At least with a dog or cat the child will learn responsibility and unless something out of the ordinaty happens the child will be able to see the animal grow and flourish.

 

[Cinders]

I don't know what, if anything, I'm going to do about it

Ya know I looked in the Smilies to find an evil grin but alas there isnt one so insert Devilish Smiley here I'd have taken the dead fish and all back and left it on her porch.

Our PTFO chose to have a game where kids can win a goldfish....needless to say the older boys thought it was cool to win a fish then go torture it in the boys bathroom before flushing it. This year they refused to give up the game saying they didnt care it was the best money making game and who cares what happens to the fish since everyone knows they'll all die. Ughhhhhh!! How can people expect their children to be good kids when they say things like this?

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

I'm weird, but we would have thought that was the coolest party favor!

I'd much rather have that than a noisy toy. LOL

The fact that they included the bowl and food would go a long way in my opinion...that's what would separate the fish from being a really poor party favor to an interesting, different, unique, cool one.

 

[Lanshark]

It was a terrible idea to give a living creature as a party favor. It devalues the animals life to put it in the same category as dime store toys and candy.

 

[Tinkbell]

I think I heard of this before. I agree, worst favor ever. I would have to decline.

 

[preshi]

Originally posted by Lanshark
It was a terrible idea to give a living creature as a party favor. It devalues the animals life to put it in the same category as dime store toys and candy.

Thank you.. thats exactly what I was trying to say but couldnt word it right!

 

[Helopoh]

I agree that was the worst favor ever.

I thought when my Grandmother added Toothbrushes to the Party Favors at my younger sisters 5th B-Day was aweful.