The mere mention of a teen party makes a strong man quake in his shoes. It conjures up images of whooping and hollering, unruly wild banshees, absentee parents drinking all night, and perhaps even a small booty.
Yes, all these things have happened, but this is no ordinary teen party! Discover the that will allow your teen to plan the ultimate party that will rock their world.
Decide on the Party Budget
Tell your teen, upfront, how many greenbacks you're willing to part with a good time. Make sure your teen agrees with this figure, because down the road, they may start coming up with some high-dollar ideas, and you can gently remind them how much you all agreed.
Listen to your teen
When it comes to party planning, probably the most important thing you can do for your teen is to listen to what they have to say. After all, it's their party and not your soiree. The last thing teens want is for their parents to have more control over their lives. The first thing a teen wants is independence and the freedom to make decisions that affect their lives. So, be the hero of your teen and give them some leeway. Say "yes" to as many party ideas, decisions, wishes, and requests as possible. Save "numbers" for things that are just too far-fetched, out there, and impossible to achieve. But first, brainstorm for an alternative to that "crazy" thought. Make this party planning time an opportunity to get closer to your teen. Remember, if you win the war, but lose the war, what have you really won?
Choose party date
Generally speaking, your best bet is Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons. However, when selecting a date, be sure to check and see if it coincides with the holiday weekend or the holiday season, which can cause people to be out of town and ultimately lead to poor attendance.
Who will be chosen "some"
Here's another area that could call for compromise. For example, if you have a teen party who is somewhat shy and doesn't know a lot of people, but wants to have a big party, this might be a perfect time to say "yes" when you want to. Your teen may only have a handful of close friends. It can give your teen the opportunity to experience personal growth and gain more confidence, two qualities a teen can never have too much! So, once again, say "yes" if possible.
Party venue
Obviously, if you're hosting a large party and you're planning on hosting it at your home, make sure you can keep all the guests comfortable, and have enough to eat, hang out, and dance. able to provide space. Also, if you're going to have a party that goes on later in the night, factor in the proximity of neighbors to ward off potential noise complaints, which can damage the evening.
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Teen Parties - Big Hair, Tight Jeans, and Disco Balls
If you determine that your home is not suitable for a party, perhaps your teen can ask a friend if their house can be used. However, this is an area you need to tread lightly, as this is your teen's party and you don't want to risk getting their friend all the glory for their efforts. Another option is to rent a community center, gyms sometimes have rooms they rent out for parties, hotel rooms, etc. Once again, don't discount this idea right away because the first thing that comes to your mind is spending. As I mentioned earlier if you have a teen party who is shy and this party is an opportunity to strut their stuff, consider room rental costs as an investment in your teen's future.
With these ground rules in place, it's time for the fun stuff - choosing a theme.