18th Birthday dramas!

[Candlelight1969]

My son is 18 in December and is desperate to have a house party to celebrate and I'm horrified at the idea (previous house parties have resulted in minor damage to the house, vomit, problems with neighbours etc).

Despite my suggestions of other things he could do, he's got almost tunnel vision that only a house party will do.....but it is my 18th he complains. Help required! Any ideas?

My son & quite a lot of his friends have had house parties for their 18th but they've also included adult family friends (not grandparents!). Also the parties have all finished in time for them to catch the last bus into our nearest city. Those who weren't yet old enough went home. All knew what was happening & it worked really well.

I would never do that! Just go out with friends or hire a local hall? Club together and do a joint one? Don't let them make demands.In reality most don't have big parties or a party at all.

If he hadnt caused issues with previous house parties then maybe the answer could be a Yes. Sounds like he has caused the No.

Id be saying no too.

Ohhh. I feel for you. It amazes me that so many people let their teenagers have big house parties in their nice homes. But having said that, I haven't heard of any major damage being caused. I know one family who have held several parties for their teens.

I expect the answer to this is 'no' but a thought - is your garden big enough to have the party outside and only in the kitchen or something if you got one of those garden heaters and/or a large tent or something? Probably not practical in Dec I know though. You don't have a big shed do you?

Reserve a function room in a hotel/pub for a meal and drinks perhaps?

Compromise on letting his friends meet at yours for pre going-out drinks? (if you were confident that you could get them to go out?)

I'd be sending them to a club. Pre drinks at your house would be a nice compromise.

I have a winter birthday and I have ALWAYS wanted a bonfire and a barbeque... could you get people to wrap up with wellies, and some sort of shelter (marquee cover with open sides?) for a bbq? Not that it would help with the neighbour thing.

Thanks all, some great ideas, particularly the pre-going out drinks as a compromise. Ultimately, I fear it has be a 'no' but that doesn't make me feel any better about it :-(

It's just unfortunate that he's the one in his group of friends who's 18 first, why can't life be simpler?