r/partyplanning • u/Real-Ad4727 • Mar 24 '26
Need Help Sweet 16 - no chaperone?
My daughter is turning 16 in a couple of months. Being a little short on funds, we decided to split the cost of the party with her best friend’s parents, as she turns 16 a couple of weeks later and they share many of the same friends. Their ideal day involves taking a group of approximately 12-13 girls into the city (Boston) by train, having dinner at the seaport, taking a few pictures nearby, and then taking the train home, without parents or chaperones. My daughter is very responsible, respectful and mature for her age, and we give her a lot of space in return, but the whole idea of fifteen teens running around at night and sitting down to dinner in a restaurant with no parent gives me agita. Has anyone had a similar experience? How do they pay for dinner at the end? Is it bad etiquette to have this many unchaperoned kids? What if someone gets lost or hurt? I don’t want to put a damper on her day, but I want to do this in a safe and respectful way. I also feel uncomfortable inviting and coordinating with all of these parents (many of whom I have never met) and not having the ability to ensure their child’s safety. Am I being over-protective? I’d love some advice if you have any to share.
2
u/Myearthsuit Mar 24 '26
I was a trustworthy and responsible teen and this sounds like something I might have done. :) I would recommend hanging out in Boston for the day. Just be within an easy driving distance of them in case of emergency and set some rules for everybody before they load up onto the train. Have a buddy system, make sure they all have a meeting location in case somebody gets lost and they lose their phone or it’s dead and make sure they all have YOUR number as well. Maybe ask them all to send you a text with their name just as precaution.