New Mummy Blog: Children's Birthday Parties Are Getting Out Of Control

Rumour has it that Kim and Kanye are shutting down Disneyland for a private celebration for North's second birthday next week.

It was always going to be difficult to top last year's Kidchella festival they put on to mark her turning one.

It's not just Kimye either. Tamara Ecclestone brought an entire farmyard to her London home for daughter Sophia's first birthday in March, complete with ponies, sheep, puppies and, err, zebras. Along with a four-foot cake and a castle made of balloons, it's estimated to have cost around £70,000.

Of course the Formula One heiress can afford it and it's entirely up to her how she spends her money. If she'd had a simple tea party for her baby's birthday, people would probably have said she was mean.

The thing is, to Sophia, a simple tea party would have been just as good. When still so tiny, these babies are easily impressed and entertained. And they won't even remember it afterwards anyway.

For my baby girl's first birthday, we went hugely over the top too - but within our own non-celeb budget and means.

There's something pretty special about your child's first birthday: you've survived that first year together and seen your tiny newborn grow into a toddling or crawling little character. You're a little sad that your baby is no more and at just how quickly those days have passed you by, but you're hugely proud too. You want to mark the occasion.

And by Jove we did. We threw a garden party for her. It was a gloriously sunny May day, the barbecue was sizzling, the drinks were flowing. We had personalised invitations printed, we had banners, balloons, a garden full of toys, a circus tent, a bubble machine, a beautiful custom-made cake featuring her favourite toys, and around 50 people. Only around 10 of them were children.

We had a wonderful day and I think Honor did too. But at the same time she was clearly overwhelmed by all the people, the presents, the attention. It all got too much for her mid afternoon and my mum had to take her out for a walk in her buggy to let her get away from it all and have a nap.

I don't think many people even noticed the birthday girl was gone.

Honor's first birthday party was undoubtedly more for us than for her. And so, when it came to her second, we decided to rein it in - a lot. We had a trip to the Sea Life Centre and a family lunch. She was home in time for her afternoon nap. She loved it. Three weeks on, she still asks most days if it's her birthday again today.

I am hugely grateful she's at an age where she's so easy to please. I dread the school years, where the pressure of birthday parties is immense. Not just because she will have high expectations of what she wants, but also the competition amongst children, and parents, to throw the best party.

And then the presents! The cringeworthy email Myleene Klass circulated from a fellow school mum outlining what presents to buy their children - tablets and bits of furniture - is a practice that isn't isolated to celeb circles, sadly.

I have a sinking feeling that pass the parcel and musical chairs just won't cut it any more.

[Amazing Children’s Birthday Party Ideas (That Won’t Break The Bank)]

[Children’s Birthday Parties Now So Extravagant, Half Of Parents Can’t Afford Them]