Sixteenth B-day Party

I AM A MOTHER OF FIVE AND FOR MY OLDEST'S SIXTEENTH B-DAY WE MADE IT A RESPONSIBILITY THING. WE GOT HER A ROOM AT A HOTEL ROOM NEAR HOME WITH A POOL, LET HER INVITE FIVE FRIENDS, AND NO BOYS, BOUGHT MCDONALDS, CHEAP SODAS SNACKS AND RENTED TEEN CHICK MOVIES, SHE CHECKED IN WITH US AT 10:00 AND HAD TO CALL EARLY IN THE MORNING. SHE COULD NOT BELIEVE WE TRUSTED HER THAT MUCH AND SHE HAD A GREAT TIME. SO DID ALL OF HER FRIENDS. I WOULD NOT DO THAT SORT OF THING WITH MY YOUNGEST GIRL BECAUSE MATURITY MUST BE SHOWN FIRST SO NOT EVERY GIRL WOULD BE READY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. BUT THIS IS THE OFF SEASON SO HOTELS ARE NOT EXPENSIVE. I ALSO WOULD HAVE FLOWERS DELIVERED TO THE ROOM BEFORE SHE GOT THERE TELLING HER YOU LOVE HER.

Someone shared a great idea with me for a sweet 16. They had 4 girls and gave them each $10 and went to the goodwill or thrift store. They had to come up with a great semi formal dress outfit and then took them to dinner at nice place. They went a little further and got a limo. The girls had so much fun picking out outfits, shoes and jewlry, got a group picture and framed it. I have 4 boys so I never get to do this, but it sounds like alot of fun!

Hey M.,
I have a friend who's daughter just turned 16. She booked a flight to Florida and they spent a weekend there. Her daughter had no idea they were going - my friend packed her bag and made up some reason to get her in the car to go to the airport. Dad was a co-conspirator. Dad stayed home with their other child, so the cost was not so great. The whole family celebrated after they came back. My friend's daughter really enjoyed it - it was a pretty exciting thing to do, as they don't get a lot of chances to travel. All they did in Florida was enjoy the sunshine, a good meal, and the daughter got to pick out a new outfit. I dont know if your husband would be willing, but if he would watch the other children for a weekend, what a great getaway! You are young enough that I bet your daughter doesn't mind hangin out with you!! And the bonus in it all...you would also have a little away time! There are package deals available all over the internet for flights and hotel rooms. If you decide to do something similar, just make sure you go somewhere warm!! Also, if her friends are wanting a party, perhaps you could have a sleepover for them all with movies and popcorn when you return.
Best of luck to you!
L.

That is hard bordering a grown up but not quite there, no more kid parties but not quite to an adult party either. I don't know where you live at but here is a suggestion that a friend of mine did. See if there is somewhere there you can rent like in the town I grew up in there was the 4H building, the Civic center, and Old Train Depot that had been remodeled, etc. Rent it for the night and decorate it up, have somewhat of a dance...chaperoned of course, if you don't have enough money to hire a DJ, then just get a CD player or home stereo system have your daughter give you some CD's and play them. Maybe do the limbo, cotton eyed joe, electric slide, etc. I don't know just a thought my kids arent there yet. Get some Cans of pop in coolers that will be easier than getting ice and 2 liters and just get some chips and dip or something.

Run it by her and see what she thinks. What does she want to do?

Ask your daugther what she wants to do for her birthday and who she wants to spend it with. There are all kinds of party ideas that you can do inexpensively from themed parties, to movie nights, sleep-overs just to name a few. When you get an idea of what you want to do email at ____@____.com or call me at ###-###-####. I can give you alot of wonderful ideas and tips. I've been planning events professionally for over 18 years and would love to help.
M.
Mardee's Design and Consulting

You may not believe this, but we have to pick slow nights to go to Chuck E Cheese becasue all the teenagers go there. These days it's best to ask her what she wants to do that way she gets close to what she wants and everybody is happy

After you ask her what she wants to do, if she doesn't come up with anything, wait till the weekend, make an appointment at a local beauty shop and take her to get her hair and nails done. just the two of you. it's a special time for the two of you to bond. then, go get her a nice cake and celebrate simply with your family.

my mom did my birthday party on a cheap budget. they did not spend much money on it. my mom had it at my church. she cook a bunch of stuff herself. like spaghetty and meatballs ....don't remenber the food. she had family menbers help cook. and had the gathering at the church hall or you could use someone family house too. for pictures and video pick a family menber or friend to do so. it save a lot of money. hope it works out.

Ask her if there is something special she wants to do? Like take her frieds out for a drive after school. Only if it's legal to do so.

Well, it also depends on if you want to surprise her. i say find an apartment place with a club house maybe you could rent out, or if you have a friend you lives in a apartment see if they could rent it for you. Then have a dad or someone be the DJ and have snacks and music so all of her friends could hang out together one big HAPPY PLACE.

Not sure how much DJ's are?

Teenagers love pizza, so maybe do a "Make Your Own Pizza" bar. You can have the dough and all the toppings, and let the guests have at it, and it would be cheaper than delivery, and more fun too. For dessert, yup, how about an ice cream sundae bar, or banana splits. Can you tell I love "bars"? :P Then just give them some music and some room, and you could be the coolest mom of the bunch!
J.

With the way children are going these days just ask her what she wants. I can't say that any of the suggestions are good or bad but it is Her special day let her give her input. It will also be a special day for you so make sure you do alittle something you want with her as well. As all of us girls know with the "sweet sixteen" all of us had our expectations. Good luck

I really admire you for having her so young. I was 21 when my oldest was born and I wasn't really prepared for it even then. I would do as the other mom's suggested and just ask her what she wants to do. My birth mother did that when I was 16 and all I wanted to do was to go to the mall and walk around by myself. Course at that time there was a 15 yo that was kidnapped from the mall and she had a hissy fit. So, we just went out to eat and went from there.

Have you asked her what she would like to do. You maybe able to do what she wants out of your home for not too much. Some h'odevers and music maybe all she wants. Oh yes and not parents checking on her all the time. I didn't get to have a big party I lived out of the country for my 16th. If you would like some help planning I love planning parties and would be happy to help my email is ____@____.com just let me know if you want or need any help.

It depends if she wants a boy/girl type birthday celebration or just a girl party. If it's just girls, you could have a slumber party and maybe have a Mary Kay rep come over and let them do their own facials (free) or have a movie night and have pizzas and stuff. Happy 16th Birthday to your daughter! =)

First ask her what she would like to do and then go from there. If what she wants to do is too expensive try to find an alterative that is close to what she wants to do.