One year, instead of a traditional party, DC invited two friends to go with us to Six Flags.

Too old for a big party anyway.

Invite a few close friends to do something special.

You could rent the video game bus that comes to your driveway and has tvs and a million games.

Make sure he wants a party. If he does, keep is simple. Let them hang in the basement. Have fun food-whatever your son likes and just do a few hours. No need to have sleepover if you aren't, up for it. the kids don't sleep. They have a blast, but it's exhausting and you really have to stay up and make excuses to check on them to make sure nobody is doing inappropriate things on youtube or they aren't daring eachother to do dangerous things. You also don't want anyone binging on junk and going home the next morning stomach sick.

Op here - Yes, PP that could be part of it. He's certainly getting more aware and concerned by what's "cool." (sigh)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- He does say he wants a party just no idea what. It's the exact same thing with a Halloween costume. Wants to be something, doesn't like any ideas. Not sure what's up. Is it an age thing? Decision making?

YEs, it's the age. The transition from little kid to tween, where he's realizing these things don't just happen (thanks mom) but that they actually require work and thought.

Is it also the transition where the things that used to be reliably cool aren't cool anymore, and he's trying to anticipate what his friends will think of whatever he picks? (I have girls, so forgive me if I'm way off base here.) If there's any truth to that, can you just ask him really explicitly about his friends' recent birthday parties and what went over well?

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- He does say he wants a party just no idea what. It's the exact same thing with a Halloween costume. Wants to be something, doesn't like any ideas. Not sure what's up. Is it an age thing? Decision making?

YEs, it's the age. The transition from little kid to tween, where he's realizing these things don't just happen (thanks mom) but that they actually require work and thought.

OP here -- He does say he wants a party just no idea what. It's the exact same thing with a Halloween costume. Wants to be something, doesn't like any ideas. Not sure what's up. Is it an age thing? Decision making?

No need for a party. Tell him to let you know if he changes his mind.

This is a sign that he doesn't care if he has a party.

Similar, take a couple good friends out to dinner and a movie in the theatre theb sleep over. More special than the above, which our boys do every weekend.

Have a couple of buddies over to play video games, watch a movie and sleepover.

That is what all 3 of my boys wanted at that age.

If there's nothing he likes, then skip the party?

lava zone
rock climbing
trampoline

I'm trying to plan my DS's 11th bday party. He loves his b'day but hasn't liked any party ideas I've suggested (bowling, movie, lazer tag, etc.) and doesn't have any ideas of his own. Since he's getting older, I want to give him more ownership over it (as well as not spend $$ for a place he doesn't even want). Anyone else been in a similar boat or have any advice or ideas? Haven't run into this before now. Thanks.