'I agreed to host a 16th birthday party for my son. Within hours, the invite went viral.'

Six days ago, I agreed to host a 16th birthday party for my son. 

It was a Monday night, and the invite went out to his friends via social media private messages, and then swiftly went viral on social media.

He was bombarded ALL week with messages saying others would be coming or various invitees would be bringing friends. I registered the party with the police and had my sister come to help. 

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On the Wednesday, we sat down and he wrote me a list of everyone he knew was coming that he wanted there, and it came to 50 teenagers. I told him to let everyone know I’d be turning away anyone not on the list.

We typed up notes for the neighbours with my phone number, letting them know about the party, and printed 'no entry' signs for bedroom doors and one for the garage internal access door. 

Over the course of the week, we sat down multiple times and talked through the expectations of every possible scenario from who would be cleaning up ANY vomit (him), who would be cleaning any blocked toilet (him), who would be texting parents to come pick up any drunks (me), and who was happy to make things awkward and lay down the law because they aren’t interested in having 16-year-old mates (me).

So last night, from 7.30pm, my sister and I stood by the front door, and over the next hour and half ticked off the names of those who arrived and were invited, and turned away everyone who wasn’t - from the girlfriend of an invited boy, the sister of an invited girl, and groups of 10 plus unknown teens who were "definitely on the list yesterday". 

Some random teens even said, 'We just followed the Snap Map'. (Lesson learned, next time at the door, 'Turn off your Snap Map please!') 

Despite turning a number of people away, everyone was respectful. They made their disappointment and annoyance clear, sure, some louder than others, but they still left and didn’t try to get in any other way.

Throughout the night the door was deadlocked, I kept an eye on the driveway, and went to the door if I needed to. I kept the little doorbell speaker in my pocket so could hear it wherever I was.

So many at the party thanked me for being vigilant and keeping them safe, and allowing them to feel free to enjoy their night without the fear of fights or disturbances from gate crashers. It was lovely but also sad that they genuinely had this fear.

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I confiscated some booze I saw, but most hid it well and it got past me. They’re good hiders - I heard the next day that so many were vaping inside and out all night, but I didn’t see a single one! I can’t even believe that! 

No one got crazy drunk, but they were asked to start heading home if I could tell they’d been drinking and had had enough. Most just wanted to dance and laugh and be with each other. Honestly, it was great. Every single kid thanked me at some point through the night, and at least half asked if they could do anything to help.

Music was turned down at 11pm, nudges for home given at 11.15pm, with an empty house by 12am. A debrief with the three sleeping over until 1am, with lots of laughs, then bed.

This morning there was, of course, a 9am VERY loud '9 to 5' Dolly Parton wake up sing along for the cleanup to begin, complete with party lights in the bedroom and a miming mum enjoying every second!

With 50 teens, there was not a single breakage, a still clean looking bathroom, one spilled drink, and one vape found behind a cushion. I’m disappointed (but not surprised - I was 16 once) that alcohol got in, but it didn’t ruin the night. I did contact a couple of parents to apologise though, since I had assured them I’d be trying my best to prevent it.

Best of all, my son has been getting messages all day saying the party was one of the best they’ve been to. 

He has been beaming all day, and can’t wait to go to school tomorrow to keep talking about it.

Dr Emily Burns is a teacher, who lives and works in the Greater Sydney region with her partner and three children.  

Feature Image: Getty

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