This is not a new topic but one I had a chance to ponder recently. The dubs taught any parties in a person's honor puffed them up with pride and hence Jehoopla hated them. ex--birthdays, graduations, etc. I know some (many?) dubs had graduation parties anyway, but the teaching was claimed to be the reason I couldn't have one.
It was a sad day. As you know I had extensive medical problems. Not only had I survived that, I had very good grades and had been offered a job at the school (which I had to turn down of course b/c full time work is for the weak). But anyways one would think a 'rent would be a smidge proud and interested in giving a kid a little pat on the back, especially since there were no birthdays/holidays/etc.--a rare opportunity to celebrate.
Instead I was given a $1 gag gift, a card and a cup of punch to drink. Then it was off to someone else's graduation party. So I was mandated to watch someone else's parents behave like normal human beings towards their kid--a real slap in the face if you ask me. That actually was the most hurtful and humiliating part of it. I wasn't good enough to be honored. When I asked to not attend the other party, the response was physical abuse. Good times.
So before I depress you more with my tale, I was wondering how often you guys have had parties in your personal honor as adults. Was it weird? I am not self-conscious at all but I'm imagining myself as being really uncomfortable. I had a group take me out to dinner once but not anything I'd call a party necessarily. I think it would feel odd.
And here's the crux of why it's a bad idea to deprive your kid of this normal social convention--it prevents them from developing certain social skills particular to this sort of thing.