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Original poster

15yo DS doesn’t want to do ANYTHING for his 16th birthday....

19 replies

BaconAndAvocado · 03/10/2022 21:31

He’s been to a few 16th birthday get together for his friends recently, all involving small amounts of alcohol but he seems really nonplussed about his own birthday.
I’ve suggested some outward bound type things but his completely uninterested.
We have to do SOMETHING!
He’s currently going through a monosyllabic stage .
Any ideas?

OP posts:

alloutoflunchideas · 03/10/2022 21:34

go out for a nice meal?

Takingabreakagain · 03/10/2022 21:35

Why do you have to do something? It's his birthday - if there's nothing he wants to do now then surely that's up to him.
If you really need to do something maybe you could just have a nice meal out with family

onmywayamarillo · 03/10/2022 21:39

Mine didn't either! So I dad he could have a garden party in March. It was freezing. So fire pit a few beers and dominos pizza. They loved it

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15 year olds Events & celebrations

parietal · 03/10/2022 21:40

Something grown up like theatre? Or just a massive cake at home?

onmywayamarillo · 03/10/2022 21:40

They don't want to organise it! Suggest and step back

lannistunut · 03/10/2022 21:41

We have to do SOMETHING! No you don't. Just cook a nice meal and leave him be. If he wants to do something next year he can, some people are just not that bothered.

Hbh17 · 03/10/2022 21:43

You do NOT have to do anything - except respect his choices. Birthday celebrations can be really embarrassing and uncomfortable for the birthday person, so I applaud him for being honest about what he wants. Please don't spring some awful "surprise" on him.

dementedpixie · 03/10/2022 21:47

My ds (was 16 on Saturday) went for a meal to nandos with his girlfriend (we gave him the cash to pay for both of them). We went out for dinner the next night as a family. He got his tub of heroes as requested and a couple of small presents that he didn't ask for (never really asked for anything tbh). I got him a helium balloon saying 16 on it and made him a birthday cake. He seemed happy enough.

greenacrylicpaint · 03/10/2022 21:47

bowling?
cinema?
paintball?

dc recently went to a birthday 'party' where a company set up an escape room type of thing in a park. sort of mixture of 'capture the flag' and treasure hunt.
dc loved that and came back home very very dirty.

reluctantbrit · 03/10/2022 21:49

Why do you have to do something?

When we went out for dinner for DD's birthday recently she absolutely begged "don't mention my birthday". We wouldn't have done it anyway but she was terrified to be embarrassed by singing waiting staff or whatever.

It's not your celebration, if he doens't want to do anything then just let him be.

theoldhasgone · 03/10/2022 21:49

My son hasn't had a birthday celebration for a few years - probably 15,16,17. No problem. This year he wants a few friends over for his 18th.

Kite22 · 03/10/2022 22:00

I'd say more 16 year olds don't do anything (with friends) than do.

It is his birthday. You should listen to him.

Maybe suggest a family meal out ?

Original poster

BaconAndAvocado · 06/10/2022 09:10

Thanks all for your suggestions.
I think I will suggest a family meal out or a takeaway.

OP posts:

sheepdogdelight · 06/10/2022 09:15

If he's anything like my DS, he still might spontaneous plans with friends the day before/on the day. That age group seem to have a horror of actually planning things!
Perhaps suggest to him that you're happy to get snacks in/pay for a takeaway if he wants to have friends over.

TheStoop · 06/10/2022 09:25

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

DappledThings · 06/10/2022 09:30

We have to do SOMETHING!
No you don't. Not if he doesn't want to. I hated my birthday after about 12. Hated any celebration of it. My 16th I thought we had agreed not to do anything but we're going on a family theatre trip a week later anyway. My mum decided to make that my birthday and made a fancy picnic and things to make it a birthday thing. I really resented it and it ruined that trip.

By all means suggest a meal out but respect him if he says no

emmathedilemma · 06/10/2022 09:35

No, you really don't have to do something. He's 16, does that even count as a milestone birthday these days? I thought it was 18 and 21......
Honestly, there is nothing worse than forced celebrations when someone says they don't want to do anything!

Knackeredmommy · 06/10/2022 09:44

We had a takeaway and then a family dinner for my son's 16th, his 18th is coming up and everyone is telling him he has to do something, he doesn't want to and wouldn't enjoy all the focus. I've bought him weights that he asked for, booked a theatre trip and will have a family dinner. His Uncles will take him out for a meal and that's it.

Crosswithlifeatm · 22/11/2022 15:32

A takeaway,meal of his choice and a big birthday cake and no pressure.

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