Becoming a Teen-The Party, The Presents, The Attitude!

What's a Mum to do? My eldest will become a teenager in no less than 14 days. I have so much to do, so much to learn, so much to put up with!

The first big issue is one that we have every few years or so, depending on when Leap Year falls.

Bregon's birthday actually has the audacity to fall on Thanksgiving this year. This is NOT something that he looks forward to.

In fact, he actually dreads having his birthday celebration lumped in with the Thanksgiving turkey.

He has very stoically agreed to attend Thanksgiving with the family, but ONLY if and ONLY if, they agree NOT to stick a candle in the darn turkey. His words, not mine!

The first time this happened, we just cancelled Thanksgiving altogether as my family had other plans anyways that year, and we had a good friend in Houston who had wanted for us to have a sort of dysfunctional family Thanksgiving down there at her lake-house.

We ended up with a full-blown bon-fire party complete with hot dogs and s'mores and Harry Potter cake. Bregon was blissful, but then again he was also turning 7.

This year, he turns 13 and begins life as a proper teenager. He will no longer be a little kid anymore.

That, coupled with the whole Thanksgiving birthday issue, is enough to worry any Mum.

So, the issue now is, what to do about a birthday party. We have always had trouble with parties for Bregon being that his birthday ALWAYS falls the week of Thanksgiving and most folks are busy with family get-together's and traveling.

The years when we worked out at the Texas Renaissance Festival, it was easy. I just bought all sorts of period cookies, cakes and refreshments, invited the entire cast and our vendor friends and their kids, and had his party during the faire day as part of the show, patrons included.

This year, we have been lucky in that we finally have a house large enough to let him have his party at home.

I have been kicking around the idea of letting him invite all of his friends over (most will have family conflicts & probably won't be able to make it) and have a real, proper sleepover.

They could rent movies or a video game, bring their favorites maybe, and possibly roast hot dogs and marshmallows in our fireplace.

It sounds good in theory to me, because when I turned 13 it would have been a great party. But, this is the here and now, and I know things have changed.

Are my ideas age appropriate or are they much to juvenile? Would the boys think I was treating them like a little kid? I worry.

Then there is the matter of what exactly, to get a 13 year old for his birthday. Is that long awaited video game a good present or is it too much like something he would have received when he was 8?

I do not want him to feel like I am treating him like a baby. After all, he is turning 13 and that is an important milestone for any child.

I may sound weird, but in a home where Bregon has to live with 3 one year old's day in and day out, a mum can often be stuck in baby-land which is a hard mindset to come out of!

I just hope that some of his friends can make his party. His best friend isn't from here, and it's getting increasingly difficult to accurately and subtly check the whole friend availability for a party!

I am thinking that this shindig should occur the weekend BEFORE Thanksgiving to maximize attendance likelihood, but I just am not sure if this is a good idea. I mean, we are available, but will anyone else be?

If I were another Mum (whose child's birthday did NOT fall on a major holiday week each year,) I think I would certainly enjoy having my child invited out for the weekend.

I think it would give the family time to prepare for the holiday itself and give them some child-free time!

Especially given the idea that most kids (especially teens) get antsy and even cranky when the family is focused on cooking for holiday get-togethers and such!

Then there is Bregon himself. When I ask him to check with his friends about the possibility of party dates and activities, he is all blase about it.

He did mention that he was quite positive that one friend would be able to make it as they were not planning on going out of town, however another one was up in the air.

He isn't even helping with present ideas. It's as if he doesn't really mind getting one thing or another, or even anything at all.

Oh no, I think I see that whole teen-aged attitude creeping in! I don't know if I am quite yet prepared for this roller coaster, but HERE I COME!!!!

So I remain very confused. I suppose I shall do invitations of some sort tonight so that he can hand them out tomorrow at school.

I shall just have to hold my breath and wait and see what happens. If anyone has any idea how to survive this, any ideas would be appreciated!