Why do some parents turn every event into a big show?

I don’t have kids myself, so this isn’t about jealousy or anything like that. But there’s a coworker of mine who makes every single occasion feel like a huge production. Birthdays, holidays, back-to-school, even things like Valentine’s Day — it all turns into full-blown events, complete with decorations, matching outfits, elaborate food, and of course, photos posted online.

She’s the type of mom who hosts the class Halloween party every single year. It’s almost expected at this point, and no one else really volunteers anymore because “it’s her thing.”

She’s constantly baking, crafting, planning, and organizing. Her kids are in multiple extracurriculars, and it seems like they barely have time to just exist without a schedule. Honestly, from the outside, it looks exhausting.

And I can’t help but wonder: why? Is it because she genuinely loves doing all this? Or is it something else?

Is it possible she’s trying to make up for something missing from her own childhood? Or maybe she’s overcompensating because she’s insecure about something? I’m not saying this with malice — I just genuinely don’t get it.

I’ve seen the way she talks about these things, and sometimes it feels less like she’s enjoying herself and more like she’s trying to prove something. Like every event has to be Pinterest-perfect or it doesn’t count. And don’t get me wrong, her pictures are amazing. The kids always look happy, everything’s styled and tidy and “magical.”

But I keep asking myself... is it really as joyful as it looks? Or is she burning herself out trying to create this idealized family life for the world to see?

Would love to hear from other parents — is this kind of over-the-top lifestyle actually fun? Or is it secretly stressful? Do some people do it out of pressure, guilt, or fear of not being enough?