I have custody of my niece, soon to turn 16. The only thing is that she is borderline mentally retarded. She has tics (a form of tourettes) as well as is socially inactive.
I want her to have a really "cool" sweet 16 birthday party that she will never forget, but I don't have any ideas to cater to her IQ. Whatever I do may clash with her friends as she does have some friends that are of a "normal IQ".
Ok I know this might sound silly but how about a bouncer? We did that at an 18 year old's party and though the kids were all "normal" IQ wise they had a blast. This would give older and younger kids something to do.
There is a local bounce place to accomodate different ages too. http://www.myspace.com/321bounce
I think Denise's idea of a sweet/baking party is a great idea. It would be fun, unique and interactive. Other ideas to find an "instructor/chef": local trade school (teacher or student), browse classifieds/yellow pages to find independent bakeries or people with at-home baking businesses, check local craft stores for class offerings.
I had an idea to throw out there... depending on how much $ you want to spend. I do caricatures and have worked at many bar/batmitzvahs where there was a DJ with dancers (late teens/early 20's) that befriended the kids (especially the shy ones) and showed them dance moves as well as just danced and had fun with them. They had lights and all that gave it a clubby atmosphere. All the kids I saw (even the little and shy ones) had fun and the older ones just had a blast. I think you can get how ever many dancers you want. All girls that age love to dance, and if you had someone that paid special attention to your niece, I think they would have fun. Kids love learning dance moves. You don't even have to go and rent a big hall or anything. I think you should give her a 'big girl' type party and don't "baby" it down to meet her IQ (I don't know her, but I'm just throwing my opinion out there for consideration). Especially since she has 'regular IQ' friends.
Another option is, if you know her friends, why not ask them what they think she would like (and what they would like in a party as well) and maybe have them help plan something out with you.
My sister has tourettes....We had a glamour day for a few of her friends that included nails, toes, hair, and makeup(just a lil), and it was so much fun! I really like the pastry idea....sounds fun....nice job denise....let us know
what does she like to do? roller skate?
movies/pizza?
don't need to make a big party with dj and stuff, she probably be more comfortable smaller and her friends.
sleepover?
What does she like? If she likes girly girl stuff, maybe a party at a salon where they do your hair and nails. Or if she and her friends like sweets, how about a cupcake party where the girls can make and decorate their own, have a food fight, and don't have to clean up afterwards (stinks for you, but if she likes it...). Good luck to you, I'm sure this is a challenge every day.
I have two suggestions.
One thing I did for my daughter who is now 20 is I made her a special CD of songs I purchased online and downloaded. They were all birthday songs "Happy Birthday Darlin" and "Its my party and I'll cry if I want to" and "16 Candles". But also, "My Girl" and "Brown-Eyed Girl". There was a mix of funny and serious, and she still treasures that CD. Sometimes she plays it in the car when we're traveling and we have fun singing along with all of the songs. We played the CD for the first time during the party, and its still a special keepsake.
Two: if you look on wedding sights for caketoppers, you can find some really pretty crystal or metal caketoppers that say "16". Make or have made a special pretty cake, in the style of a small wedding cake with pretty and pink and elegant styling with the 16 caketopper on it. It will be a showpiece and something that she'll treasure.
Hi H.,
Depending how much money you want to spend is the question.
You can check your are or on the web for a clown or magician.
Good luck. Best wishes. D.
My kids didn't do anything special for age 16, but my Mom came up with 16 presents. My mom is thrifty, so they weren't 16 lavish gifts. They were small things, and one or two nice things. But she found 16 items to wrap, and she carried that tradition with each of her girl grandchildren.
Hi,
I think the glamour party ideas are wonderful. I believe that the beauty school in Reading does these, which would be cheaper than using a salon/spa.
Have fun with whatever you choose. Remember that her friends are going to enjoy whatever, since they are her friends & apparently accept her for who she is. They apparently see her inner beauty.
Maybe incorporate "sweet" with the idea of baking/pastries? A pastry chef to lead the guests to do a baking project--like marzipan, or fondant goodies? Just a thought.....
I have a suggestion for a chef to come to your home and prepare goodies with the girls. Last year I used The Playful Chef for my daughter's sixth birthday party and I can't say enough good things about her. Another mom on this board actually referred her to me so I'll share my little secret! :)
The Playful Chef brought everything with her, the ingredients, the paper goods and even a present for the birthday girl. She entertained children from age 5 to 13 and they were captivated, even the 13 year old boy!!
You can see her website at http://www.theplayfulchef.com/index.html and read some parent reviews at http://www.theplayfulchef.com/Testimonials.html!
i want her to be happy and she always want to have sweet 16 on tv like mtv and i want to help her with it i just don't what to do right now
