END OF YEAR PARTY

Dear Jellybean,

I need some advice. Well its April and school ends in June and on the last day (or the day after) I want to have a huge party. I want to invite all of my friends since i have made a lot this year in grade 8 (first year of high school). I just have a few problems. Im affraid that some of my friends arent all that fond of each other, most of them get along pretty well though. I just dont want my party to be ruined by people getting mad at each other and leaving. Another problem is my mum, I dont exactly want her to be around when the party is going on but I dont know what to say to her. Im also not sure about the music, because i want it to be fun so there has to be music, but all of my friends like different music, and if i play a variety im dont know if they might get annoyed and ask if we can just change the song. Another problem is that since some of them dont like each other i dont want anyone to feel left out! I dont want to feel like i have to check on everyone like every single second, i mean i want to have fun too. Please help! (sorry it was so long)
-Aimee, age 14

Dear Aimee,

First, if you want to avoid the music question, just do a theme party. Pick a theme that everyone would enjoy - like disco, or 50's sock hop, or '90's grunge, or Hawaiian luau, or Survivor, or whatever - and play music that suits the theme. Bonus, theme parties are really fun! You can ask people to dress up, or dress in costume, or just let people come as-is and make your decorations express the theme.

Second, don't take on more worries than necessary. It's not up to you to make sure everyone gets along great at your party. Your friends are hopefully mature enough by the end of grade 8 to not stage their dramas at your party. And if they do, well whatever - it's not your problem. Your job is to set up and keep things running along (putting in CDs, making sure there's enough pop and chips, etc). You don't have to be social director too. Forget checking on everyone "every single second" - nobody expects you to, and in fact, that would be annoying to your guests. Just be normal and do your best to throw a fun party. If someone gets mad and leaves, oh well. That's their problem. Life goes on.

Third, the mom thing. Yep, nobody wants their mom hanging at their party, quizzing their friends, or hitting the dance floor (omg). But it is your mom's house, and if she chooses to be there, you really can't say anything. What you could do is tell her, "I would love your help planning the party, but I kind of want it to feel like kids-only. Do you mind if we kind of take over (name an area - the backyard, the basement, etc)?" She'll either agree or not.

Hopefully, I have addressed all your questions and given you some ideas you can use. Good luck, and have a great party!