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New Year's Eve parties

New Year's celebrations evolve as kids get older

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Originally published in Today's Parent December 2007

Here’s what you want to avoid — your teen at a rowdy party that includes underage drinking and who knows what else. Here’s what your teens want to avoid — a boring New Year’s Eve spent hanging out with parents and their equally boring friends. Is there a way to make everyone happy?

Some teens, of course, don’t mind being part of family events. Linda Clement of Victoria says her family usually spends New Year’s Eve at a Chinese restaurant. “We started going when the girls were three and five,” she says (her daughters are now 15 and 17) “and they still enjoy it. The local one we used to walk to is long gone, but we’ve found a new one. Sometimes it is just our family, and sometimes we have other relatives and friends as well.”

But if your teen is ready to branch out from family celebrations, there are safe but fun options. And there are many communities that are trying to help parents and teens resolve this dilemma. Surrey, BC, offers an official First Night event for youth and families, supported by corporate sponsors. At a cost of $10 per person, teens enjoy live music played by popular groups or share a snack with friends, in an alcohol-free setting. It’s paid off: “We’ve had zero problems with teens and drinking,” says Mary Kukavina, special events manager for the city. Sarnia, Ont., also offers New Year’s Eve activities for teens, including a tabletop hockey tournament, teen bands, skating, unicycle riding lessons — all at a cost of just two dollars.

Be sure to check out other possibilities — local zoos, churches, museums, theatres or restaurants may have an event that appeals to your child. Science North, the science museum in Sudbury, Ont., has a New Year’s Eve Family Fun event, for example.

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