If you’ve got a teen with a special event coming up, then you may be well into the throes of party planning with your adolescent. This may not be easy, especially if your ideas and your teen’s ideas are not exactly in sync.
Still, whether it’s a birthday, graduation, summer holidays bash, or any other event, it’s incredibly important to allow your young one to express themselves fully and have fun in a way they would enjoy and find memorable for their big day.
Explore the following guide on how to be a supportive parent and allow your child to celebrate their way with reasonable and safe boundaries still kept intact.
Ask questions
One of the best ways to get you and your son or daughter on the same page is to ask questions about the party they envision. Rather than shutting down grandiose ideas, try to discern what the most important elements are they want to include in their party, and how you can compromise to bring one or two of them to life.
These questions not only discern what is really important to your child, but they give you, as a host and chaperone, a better idea of what boundaries are needed to keep everyone safe and enjoying themselves on the day.
Some questions you can ask could include:
- How many of your friends would you like to invite to this party?
- Do you want to celebrate outside or indoors?
- What’s an activity or display special to you that you think this party needs?
- What would you like the main entertainment to be for your guests?
Allowing your child to fully participate in the planning from the beginning will give them both the confidence and value they crave when planning a party that’s important to them.
Provide a reasonable budget and list of resources
After understanding the aspects of the celebration that are most important to your teen, consider what parameters you need to set and where you can be most helpful. Remember, the goal here is to communicate openly with your child and show support while keeping the event responsible and fun.
Explain to your teen what your budget allows for their party. Decide whether or not your home can accommodate the guests coming, or if you should hold the event at an outside venue.
Are decorations and music most important to them, or is a special show or food spread at the top of their list? How about safety guidelines, curfews, and non-negotiables?
Discuss the possibilities, rules, restrictions, and resources that will be most helpful for smooth planning for the two of you.
Keep them involved
There are some things only Mom and Dad can take care of. This includes booking a venue, hiring catering, a DJ and the like. But this doesn’t mean your child can’t be involved!
Is there a cool city rooftop lounge you’re considering for the event? Take them with you to see it in person. Have them there when you listen to a DJ or live band showcase their music. Just double-check the times that under-18s are allowed into the venue you pick!
Keeping your child in the loop will make them feel like you value their opinion (as you should) and will build both trust and respect between the two of you when harder decisions for the event have to be made.
Be hands off when you need to
There are also some aspects of party planning that you don’t need to control. If your child has an idea for seating, invitations, or an itinerary for the night, don’t try to control them. Give them the freedom to choose and get creative.
Remember, the party shouldn’t be your idea of perfect. It should be a reflection of planning and creativity from your teen, first and foremost.
On the other hand, don’t be afraid to offer support when needed. If your child is overwhelmed with their tasks or unsure of how to handle their party to-do, it’s perfectly acceptable to step in. Let them know they are not alone and everything will turn out fine.
Conclusion
Your teen deserves to enjoy themself on any special occasion that celebrates them. That oftentimes means letting them take the creative lead in planning their own party. With open communication, support, and a little bit of guidance, you can plan the best celebration that will bring you and your child that much closer together.
For more parenting tips, check out our other blog articles here!