Competitive parenting

Have you noticed how competitive everything is at schools these days? And not between the pupils, between the parents.

Kids' parties have become a hugely lucrative business as parents vie to put on the best show. But do children really need entertainers, bouncy castles and luxury party bags? And why does the whole class have to be invited? What's wrong with inviting a select few for pass-the-parcel and jelly and ice-cream?

Another breeding ground for oneupmanship is the school dress-up day. Olivia had one recently. She has been studying Ancient Egypt and the whole of her year had to come dressed for an Egyptian feast. Which is a great idea, except for the frenzy it seems to cause among parents as they desperately try to outdo each other on the costume front. Outfits were commissioned from local tailors or sent for at great expense from overseas websites, designs were endlessly discussed in the playground. Is it any wonder kids become demanding?

According to the British press, parents are now spending up to GBP150 on "manger chic" designer costumes for their children taking part in nativity plays. The UK department store Debenhams noticed the trend a couple of weeks ago when parents began asking the store's personal shoppers how to create the perfect nativity makeover. Ivory white bridesmaid dresses, bejewelled turbans and fleeced duffle coats (for the donkeys, apparently) were being snapped up.

The store noticed that it was the parents of those children cast in the minor parts of sheep and donkeys that were spending more, presumably to compensate for the lack of a starring role. This is competitive parenting gone mad. What's wrong with a tea-towel and a bit of tinsel? As a representative of Debenhams put it:"The amount of money that some parents want to spend on their child's nativity play appearance would enable Baby Jesus to leave the stable and check into a five-star hotel." Quite.

Yet just look at the photo above to see what can be achieved with a white nightie, an old gold scarf, some cheap bracelets from the souk and liberal application of Rimmel eyeshadow and eyeliner. I give you "Livvy-o-patra" for the princely sum of less than a tenner. Oh, and no agro (priceless).