New Year's Eve and Teens

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2006
New Year's Eve and Teens
8
Fri, 12-30-2005 - 9:17am


Happy New Year to All!!


Do you allow your teen to celebrate with his/her friends on New Year's Eve?


What are the *rules* for your teen on New Year's Eve?


Is there a curfew?


Is New Year's Eve a family night? If so, what do you do to celebrate?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2004
Fri, 12-30-2005 - 10:22am
hi.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-21-2005
Fri, 12-30-2005 - 10:49am

This is probably the lsat year I'm going to be able to say this..... we have a tradition of going to a movie (dh dd and I), coming home and dining on an array of appetizers and watching the ball drop. This year, dd asked if her bf could join us (she has only actually seen this bf one time - he lives 20 miles away but they talk on the phone almost every day) and we said yes. We are going to Mass first and then to see Narnia. We'll see how much this kid really likes her ..... spending an evening with the parents and all.

We would let her go to a supervised party if she asked. She's only 14 so we aren't worried about her driving or anything. I'd prefer she do something here and I will probably suggest she have a small party next year before anything else comes up....

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 12-30-2005 - 12:50pm

Great question! Up until this year, we always went skiing this week with about 4 to 6 other families. All the kids would gather at one house and play videos, we ordered in pizza and goodies, etc., while the parents went to a nice dinner and came back in time for midnight to celebrate with the kids.

This year, however, we moved the trip to last week, and one of the families is having a party. Most of us are requiring that the kids either be at that party or at home. We live in the L.A. area, and the drivers are scary on New Years. I had said, because this came up with the boys, if they were all going to a supervised, parents-in-attendance party, I would be okay with that. But, they've all opted to come to stay at this party, so it will work out fine.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2003
Sat, 12-31-2005 - 8:00pm

Well my 14 yo is home. And most of her friends are with their families either at home or at house parties. But we know of one of her friends who is having two friends over for a sleep over. But I happen to know this kid is a bit "trouble" and personally I wouldn't want my daughter over there. Her parents are out for the night and she's home with 80 yo Italian grandma who'll be asleep soon while this kid and her two or three guests cause all kinds of ruckus. I am sure of it because I hear the stories afterwards.

That's the thing...New Year's Eve can get a bit rowdy at the best of times. Don't know what it is in the human psyche that often throws caution to the wind on this night. And if adults can get this way, teens can as well. So to me, I would allow her to celebrate out ONLY if I was 100% confident that she was being supervised and that I knew the family very well.

Avatar for deenow17
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-12-2004
Sun, 01-01-2006 - 1:48pm
We originally had a family night, pizza and out to whatever the hottest family movie was of the season. This gradually changed once the kids turned 16 or 17 and they wanted to attend a supervised party. We let them go but then picked them up at 12:30 after coming home from the movie with the remaining kids. This year my kids are all of legal drinking age and adults. DD (25) & b/f hosted party for 2 other couples at our cottage, DS (23) stayed at home (his own place) quietly as he works today and DS (19) went out to an all night bash at a friends. DH dropped him off because DS wanted to make sure he didn't have access to a car in case he tried to do something stupid when drunk. I'm thrilled to say that all 3 called to wish me Happy New Year within the first 10 mins of 2006. I don't drink often but understand that it's part of growing up and am pleased that my kids handle it in a mature manner. I think the examples we gave them remain in their memories. Dee.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-01-2006
Sun, 01-01-2006 - 3:34pm
My 17 yr old ds went to a good friend's house for a party. I knew practically all the kids there. The parents were home and these kids are not drinkers. While he drives...and we trust him..we dont' trust others...especially on New Year's Eve. So....I drove him and picked him up this morning(he spent the night). He was safe and so were his friends(they all spent the night)!
Avatar for mily12
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Sun, 01-01-2006 - 5:23pm

We allow our teens to celebrate with their friends. If my DS had come home and not slept at a friends I would have asked him to come home at 1pm (although I might have given him till 2pm since it was a special night). My DD is 2 months short of 21 y.o. and I wouldn't have given her a curfew, although I would have told her I prefered her home no later than 2pm. As it turned out both spent the night at their friends.

My DH and I usually spend the evening with friends and although the kids are all welcome, only the younger ones actually attend. The older ones go off with their friends, just like my 2.

I don't particularly like New Years Eve, even though it's my birthday, and so I don't make a big deal out of celebrating it as a family event. To me it's just a party night and so I let the kids spend it with their pals.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy New Years Eve and let's look forward to a terrific 2006.

Mily

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2000
Sun, 01-01-2006 - 6:03pm
Happy belated birthday, mily!!


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