Читать книгу Yes, Please. Whatever!: How to get the best out of your teenagers - Penny Palmano - Страница 39

Tell your teen that you will supply some pizza/sandwiches/snacks and drinks.

Depending on their ages you may like to offer low-alcohol or normal beer. If they are going to have plates, glasses or mugs in the room, simply ask your teen if they would be kind enough to put them in the kitchen by the sink or in the dishwasher before they go. Make sure the waste bin is empty and tell your teen to make sure everyone puts their empty cans, crisp and snack wrappers in it. As it’s your home, you may certainly insist on a smoking or alcohol ban in or out of your property.

When the friends arrive and come to say, ‘Hello,’ shake their hands and be welcoming, do not say anything to embarrass or demean your teenagers or their friends, as this is a sure-fire way of them never inviting anyone back again.

If, for any reason, you are unhappy once they are in the house, for instance the music is much louder than you agreed or you can hear swearing, knock on the door and ask for your teen to come out for a minute to see you, then explain the problem and ask them to rectify it. Once again, under no circumstances barge into the room and turn the music or TV off in front of them.

Make sure you say, ‘Goodbye,’ with a smile and not a scowl, and more than likely they will all thank you. Never say anything crass such as, ‘I hope you all had a good time, Billy was so worried about having you all over, but now you can see we’re not as bad as you thought, I hope you come again.’ ‘Goodbye, great to meet you all,’ is enough.