Sweet 16

[Grmnshplvr]

My daughter is turning 16 in April, since she was born I've thought about her sweet 16 party mostly because I never got one. I asked her what she'd like to do. Nothing. Just out to dinner with the 4 of us, maybe some cake and ice cream with the grand parents. She isn't very social. Only has 1 real friend so I can see why she doesn't want a party. I know she'd hate a surprise party so I dont want to do that to her. But I feel like I should do SOMETHING besides just cake and ice cream and a dinner. I did plan to give her $200 to spend as she wants but I just want to do something special.

Any other ideas on how to make it just a little more special than every other birthday? 16 is a big milestone I think!

 

[hereyago]

Just because YOU feel it should be something special because you didn't have one (and even if you did)she has said what she wanted, why not just let it be that?

 

[rastahomie]

Sounds to me like your DD just isn't about birthdays. I'm the same way; all I've wanted for every birthday for the past several years is a basket of snacks and to be left alone to play World of Warcraft for the day.

 

[wvjules]

I thought this was about basketball. lol

 

[BrianL]

I thought this was about basketball. lol

Yeah, me too. I mean, it is that time of year.

 

[bjscheel]

What you have planned sounds nice. Would you like to add a mother-daughter outing to it, maybe shopping to blow that $200?

Will she be getting a car to drive at some point? Some kids get a used car when they get their license at 16.

My older daughter is the same, mostly just one BFF, and she would enjoy the same things your DD has requested. I don't remember anything special we did for 16, beyond the usual joint family party in the garage for her and her sister.

 

[wilkeliza]

Listen to what she wants. Ask specific questions if you really want to do something more but if she says no I only want the dinner with the family then so be it. Book her absolutely favorite restaurant and make the day about her but don't force her to have some big event because of what you imagined you wanted your sweet 16 to be like. It is very likely your daughter doesn't want what some think sweet 16s are suppose to be so no need to make it bigger than it is to her.

 

[AuntieMe3]

Maybe you can take a mother daughter weekend trip together. My daughter is the same way about birthdays, she doesn't even like to go to dinner for fear someone will let it slip its her birthday and the wait staff will sing. 16 was just a family dinner and cake... 18, we sort of surprised her with friends meeting us at a movie she wanted to see and then dinner at Steak n Shake, she was miserable and hated it. I really wish we would've stuck to her wishes so she could've enjoyed it better. This year will be 19 and I'm hoping to take her somewhere, just the two of us.

 

[AuntieMe3]

And off topic.... we love German Shepards too! LOL We have two big boys and they are our babies! <3

 

[wishesuponastar]

I like the idea to go shopping on a mother daughter day or trip.

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

You asked her and she told you. Respect her wishes on how SHE wants to celebrate her big day. This is not about YOUR missed Sweet 16. Let her pick the restaurant, order her a special cake and see if she is okay with maybe inviting at least her close friend and grandparents. Perhaps you can gift her a special piece of jewellery (if she likes that) to mark the day, along with the cash gift. She sounds like a low key type of person and that is perfectly fine and her celebration will be special to her because she will be with the people she loves most. Enjoy!

 

[penn19]

My daughter is turning 16 in April, since she was born I've thought about her sweet 16 party mostly because I never got one. I asked her what she'd like to do. Nothing. Just out to dinner with the 4 of us, maybe some cake and ice cream with the grand parents. She isn't very social. Only has 1 real friend so I can see why she doesn't want a party. I know she'd hate a surprise party so I dont want to do that to her. But I feel like I should do SOMETHING besides just cake and ice cream and a dinner. I did plan to give her $200 to spend as she wants but I just want to do something special.

Any other ideas on how to make it just a little more special than every other birthday? 16 is a big milestone I think!

I have one that recently turned 16 and when I asked about a 16th birthday party I was told (a few times actually) that in the social circle they run in, that the splashy parties are not done. More low key. Which we respected. Dinner at home (their pick) and then gifts.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Maybe a trip to Disney !

I've offered my daughter a Disney trip or a quinceanera. She's chosen the party.

 

[longboard55]

I like Arizona. The ACC sure was over rated

 

[laughinplace199]

Does she have any interests or hobbies? Favorite band or team she'd like to see? We got DD tickets to see Taylor Swift for her 16th birthday. She was over the noon!

 

[momz]

Mine turns 16 this weekend. We are having a murder mystery party. She has 5 friends coming, plus the four of us to fill out all the necessary parts. This was something that suits her personality perfectly.

 

[kuhltiffany]

What about doing something special with her friend? Over night at Great Wolf Lodge, concert, Escape room, etc.

 

[Poohforyou]

Would she maybe want to do something with her friend? Tickets to a show? Overnight in a nearby city? My daughter's 16th birthday wasn't much different than parties she had ever other year. I did spring for a fancier cake, a candy bar and hired a dj friend but that's it.

 

[bellebud]

I'd ask her about the friend overnight or weekend thing. Great Wolf Lodge, etc. Or the special weekend with you.

 

[AppleDumpling]

I agree with the idea of doing something with her best friend: a concert, play, show, amusement park, or other special place or activity that she enjoys. Maybe she would like a day of beauty or spa; have her hair done, facial, mani-pedi, foot or body massage, etc.

If she's not into any of this and really only wants a quiet family dinner, then I would respect her wishes. Some people aren't comfortable being the center of attention and that's ok.