Am I mad to have agreed to 16th birthday party for ds at our house for 30 teenagers?

[coconut49]

I'd had a couple of glasses of wine when I agreed to this. We do have a biggish house but I am beginning to regret it. Ds is happy for dh and I to stay whole evening locked away in another room but available if any problems. About half girls and half boys invited. We are not providing alcohol, just soft drinks and food, but I expect some kids will bring some. Ends at 12 .
Am I mad? Any advice from anyone who has had a party before for 15 and 16 year olds (most still 15). Thanks!

Er yes I think so

You might not be providing alcohol but IME (as a teenager 20 years ago) that won't stop them.

Good luck!

I'm not saying you're mad, but it sure as hell wouldn't be me!

Yep, bonkers .

30 teenagers? In your house?

Have you heard about parties with this age group going viral online and houses being trashed by hoards of wild teens?

Sorry I know that was a bit evil, but just wanted to scare ya! I do think it's a bit crazy though! My mum let us have sleepovers as teens for our birthdays. I think the max invited one year was 12.

I've been worrying about DS having five 7 year olds round, feel like it will be a walk in the park now compared to what you have agreed to.

Yes

I have 3 teenagers and there is NO WAY IN HELL that I would consider a house party. They will sneak in alcohol, possibly throw up and maybe even shag.

Could you possibly move it to a venue deemed acceptable by your DS?

I really wouldn't. I had a 16th birthday (26 years ago!) with 6 adults in the house (all in another room) all the kids smuggled in alcohol (with my co-operation) however it was actually quite stressful as i did feel responsible.

Much more fun were parties i organized with school friends in a local village hall, hired DJ; with a a couple of dads were around in another room.

I would offer that as an alternative.

Also there was no facebook in those days so you never know who else would hear about it and gatecrash.

Yep! You are bonkers!

DD was 16, last year and there were a fair few parties she went to. She didn't have one (ah, poor old hard done by dd! )

DH and a couple of his mates, acted as bouncers at a few too. Not a bad shout at one, iirc! It's all very well knowing your own lo, but you're not going to know all the others! Remember, the power of Facebook too. Are you sure it'll only be 30?

DH and his mate were given a guest list and didn't let anyone in, unless their name was on it, which I thought was a good idea. I personally think just you and DH, isn't enough.

Never underestimate the power of the 16 year old!

YOU ARE MAD

I wouldn't say you are mad - dsd (17) has been invited to three house parties this year already! So lots of parents are obviously fine with it! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you just in case. :0

Yes you are. I've just had 6 of DS's friends for the weekend. They were well behaved but my goodness they seem to make a mess just by entering a room. Although TBF to them, they all took their shoes off when they came in and, AND they lined them up neatly. WTAF is what I was thinking. So shocked I had to take a picture to prove it!

30 for a party? No bloody way. Ever!

DSD has just had a party at her DMs house and there were adults there (older teen family members) but no parents. There was lots of drinking, some sex apparently and the usual smoking, arguing, and a few uninvited guests. Basically everything we were doing at their age. DSD had a great time!! And her DM is very relaxed and it didn't faze her at all. But there is no way I would have one for , I will be sending them all over to DSDs mums for their teenage birthdays!!

If it stays at 30 then I'd say it's manageable. Just don't let the guest list get any bigger. And yes, of course there will be alcohol - be prepared for vomit.

Friend of DDs had a similar number of 14 year olds for a party last term- invitation only, wristbands with invitation, marquee in garden somi items a fess to house, adults on premises at all times. The group as a whole are all "nice" kids so there was very very little smuggled in alcohol. Also boy lives quite rurally, so invitees needed to be dropped off and collected by adults.

It can work, but depends o n what kind of teens they are. Personally I wouldn't do it, but good luck!

Yes (to mad that is)

No (to have I done it).

No way, not with that many, er, and that's before they tell others......

Bloody auto correct
"so limited access to house"

Rather you than me [runs away]

And obv 14 yo is different to 16 yos

Gosh - a lot of responses! Am now REALLY panicking and going to try to bribe ds with money instead to cancel it. Think I will show him this thread.
Thanks !

Marquee in the garden?

We have a gazebo in the garden over the decking. It's for this Saturday though so no time to think about a hall. Will keep them in the garden hopefully - its not going to rain!

They will trash your house. I remember doors being pulled off their hinges and light fittings being pulled down, plants and trees ripped out of the garden, sick everywhere, drunk girls needing ambulances, Drugs, police, sex and fag burns in the carpet. That was quite a good party but I dont think the parents would have agreed.

My ds is 18 now but between 15 and 17 he had several parties of that number we either hid upstairs or went for a meal came back about 12 and then stayed upstairs til about 1. It was always fine and a good way to gt to know tem all while clearing up at the end. No casualties at all