OT At what age do you stop....

[i12go2wdw]

planning birthday parties for your kids. My son is turning 16 and I am wondering if it is time to just give him some money and tell him to go have fun and do what he wants (within reason and within the rules of course). Am I just being lazy or is it about time (with 4 kids I feel like I spend a great deal of the year planning and throwing parties) DS is so easy going and considerate he will say whatever he thinks I want to hear so just asking him is of no help.
TIA Christine

 

[Disneychix]

Well I wouldn't go over the age of 16. But maybe 16 being the last as sort of a 'Sweet 16' party. Nothing fancy like on MTV though! Not like I could ever afford that anyway.

 

[rt2dz]

Most kids I know quit having parties at 10-12 years by their own request. They start doing "special" things instead--my nephew takes a friend to a baseball game. I do know some parents give a 16th party or an 18th party, but not every birthday.

 

[Tosha]

When they turn 10 that's their last "party" but we still celebrate with a big bang.....and not every year has been a "party" but we DO have big parties sometimes and then other times I let them invite a small group to go to the movies and such.

I am shocked that your son hasn't already outgrown having parties. My son, who will be 13, requested to stop parties at 10. That's when I decided that will be our last year.

We are having a "becoming a teen" party for him the year at Six flags. I bet that will be nice for your son since he's much older.

 

[i12go2wdw]

Okay, I guess I was kind or vague. My son has not had a "party" for quite a few years but we always plan something. Last year his dad took him and 3 friends camping and boating, the year before was laser tag and dinner, one year was the local amusement park, I guess what I want to know is it ok for him to start planning his own?

 

[Disneygirl26]

I think at 16 he can plan how he spends his birthday, I find that boys his age would almost always go for the cash and hanging with friends to celebrate, I would ask him what kind of plans does he have in mind, I have to admit my daughter turned 16 this pass February and we did the MTV sweet 16 thing and it was way over the top and cost way to much $$$$ so looking back I think I would keep it low key what ever he chooses.

 

[rt2dz]

Just do a family dinner and cake and let him celebrate with his friends, within your rules.

 

[Taja]

We always do family parties--regardless of age!

I think my last "official" party was around 14 or 15--a swimming party with some friends from ballet school. Pretty much what we normally would do, but with cake and ice cream.

Then my parents threw a surprise 21st party for me! I hadn't lived at home for five years, so it was a complete surprise! *LOL*

 

[dogodisney]

Maybe it's different with girls but my daughter wants to ahve a party for her 16th birthday in April. She wanted to have one this year but I wasn't in the mood to deal with a bunch of teenagers so we went away for the weekend instead. I think she would have enjoyed a party more.

 

[minkydog]

Our cut off is 13. The 13th birthday is a blow-out party or some BIG deal gathering. Then, I'm done planning parties.
DD15 has regular sleep overs and gets together with friends, but I am totally uninvolved other than to buy the food(usually pizza).

I miss the days of the theme parties--we always had our parties at home; our kids were given a set amount and they have planned their own food and activities since they each turned 8.

 

[disykat]

Age 10 for "parties" for us. We do have a cake etc. as a family and often try to do something special - an outing of some sort.

However, if they want to plan something with a few friends that's fine with us. Our 13 year old's birthday was last weekend and two of his friends went to see Indiana Jones with us, hung out for a while and stayed for dinner and cake.

Unless they specifically ask to do something with friends, it's just us. It's pretty much the way we celebrate adult birthdays. We ask "what do you want to do for your birthday?" Then it's up to the birthday person to let their wishes be known.

 

[mapmakerj]

I guess my DS is weird. He stopped wanting BD parties when he turned 7. He decided it would be more fun to do something extra special with his best friend. And last year, when he turned 8, he decided that he wanted to just do a couple family things (dinner with his uncle who shares his BD and a day trip to the WI Dells). He does have ADHD with sensory issues and the usual cousins parties would make him nuts. (Can't blame him because the cousins are a bunch of undisciplined animals, but that is another story entirely.) I think once the child is old enough to have a real opinion, their wishes should be taken into consideration. I was a little sad to see him act so mature in his decision (moms never want to admit their little ones are growing up), but it has made my life easier not having to plan a party with a bunch of rugrats.

 

[Rylee]

I have 5 kids, ages 7 - 27. (Oldest and youngest 20 years apart, almost to the day.)


Here's how we handle birthday parties...


Ages 1 - 5 - BIG family parties.

Ages 5 - 10 - Party with friends and classmates, plus small family party.

Ages 10 - 15 - Invite a few close friends, to do something special and spend the night, plus small family party.

Age 16 - Sweet 16 party (my oldest are girls, and have wanted one... don't know if boys celebrate with a "Sweet 16," on not???)

Over 16 - Cake and ice cream with our own family, plus the Grandparents.



* We just had 3 children have birthdays, mother's day, and the junior prom, all within 9 days! I'm exhausted! Oh... and we are all sick of cake.

 

[Elmo888]

Oh... and we are all sick of cake.

Sick of cake??? What is that like??? LOL!!!

 

[Rylee]

Sick of cake??? What is that like??? LOL!!!

We had regular cake, ice cream cake, cookie cake, I swear I'll never eat another piece...


... until I get to Disney, for the free dining in August.

 

[dogodisney]

We had regular cake, ice cream cake, cookie cake, I swear I'll never eat another piece...


... until I get to Disney, for the free dining in August.

You have to save room for then.

 

[mgilmer]

Our last BD party for DS was at 12.