Help! Ds 16 at the weekend

[Christmaswrap]

And I haven’t a clue how to celebrate!
DH totally overdid the Xmas gifts so I’ve no idea what to get, he’d like some sort of electronic soldering thing
do I take him away for a night? To dinner? I’ve heard people take their kids to stuff like Paris for the weekend, I’m panicking and just freezing.

It’s just social media pressure making you feel inadequate. Ask him how he’s like to celebrate? Most 16 year olds would like money to go out with friends rather than celebrate with parents - we continue the ‘birthday tea’ tradition at home but give whatever we’d have spent on a party to go for pizza/escape room/meal out.

I don't recall ds's 16th much, he probably went out with friends somewhere. There were no significant parties when friends turned 16 either.

16 has never been a big birthday where we are. 18 was and 21 will be when he gets there.

Thanks you for the reassurance! its amazing how much we’re influenced without realizing. That makes a lot of sense, and I’ll ask him. Better research what’s out there!

My DD was 16 yesterday. She didn't seem to realise it was considered a significant birthday. We had some family over and a Chinese. I did ask her if she wanted to go out with friends but she didn't.

@Christmaswrap
I 🤔 totally agree with @Patchworksack comments too.

16 years is a big milestone stage birthday.

My ds 16th birthday was mostly focused on his ability to go out on his motorbike
.. equally his 17th in a few weeks will be focused on driving.... insurance is his present! 🤣

Sorry oops typo mistake

16 years is definitely not a big milestone stage birthday to fret and stress yourself about.

"Sweet 16" is big in America which might be where the idea/social media influence is coming from.

When both my DS turned 16, they had a few friends sleep over and I ordered 3,836 pizzas and sides. 18 was the bigger birthday.

Thanks! It’s complicated that he just had a few mates over (and pizzas) for nys eve. It was so easy when they were little! Mind you a lot of instagram pressure then too.