Presents
A Mother's Guide to the Quinceanera
By: Aimee Wheeler
Congratulations! Your little hija is growing up, thanks to your love and guidance. The Quinceanera celebration is her arrival, in many ways her transformation into a charming young woman, and the perfect celebration of her coming of age. As your heart swells with pride, the thought of her upcoming event might evoke memories of your own celebration, and how you felt as you were unveiled to your family and friends at the beginning of your maturity.
It's no secret that children today grow up fast. Fortunately, your motherly responsibilities don't end just because your little girl is turning fifteen. There's still a lot to help her with in the planning and preparing for her Quinceanera, including the fiesta details and all the arrangements for the Misa de Accion de Gracias. She still needs your help! As you help her prepare, consider some of the following ideas and suggestions, so that she'll come through her perfect Quince celebration with a minimum of stress.
Remember to plan in advance. There are a lot of details to remember when helping to plan your daughter's Quince celebration, details that will need the careful and practiced touch of a mature woman. Many of these details involve deadlines and entry dates for the various events and preparations. For example, the two of you should contact your local church as early as a year in advance, to make arrangements for the Mass and to see if private services are available. Some parishes only hold monthly masses for all the Quince girls in their congregation. You can avoid disappointment by checking early.
Support your daughter's decisions, and don't dominate them. Your daughter needs your help, and you're probably tempted out of your love and concern to assert too much control over her event. You should counsel your daughter by all means, and put your foot down if you absolutely must, but remember also that this is her special celebration. While you want the best for her, of course, the spirit of the Quinceañera should encourage you to let her reach her own decisions.
Lend your experience and keep a sharp eye out for bargains. Youthful enthusiasm sometimes causes teens to overlook some important details that may return to haunt them later. Keep an eye on the fine print on your daughter's behalf, so that she'll be covered against the little pitfalls that prop up along the way. For example, when touring the celebration's venue, you might inspect the bathrooms and ask to see the kitchen, to check for cleanliness. How a venue keeps its facilities up when no one's looking is a great indicator of how they'll behave during your daughter's event. You might also check the fine print in any contracts from facilities, caterers, or musicians and DJs, to make sure you're both getting a fair deal.
Also, you might browse through catalogs looking for bargains to suggest to your daughter, and help her keep track of the costs of such things as her dress,jewelry, shoes, and hairstyle. You don't have to dominate her decisions, but you can advocate for good deals and for taking advantage of time and money-saving opportunities along the way.
Reach out to your family and your community. Your daughter's Quinceanera is a time for her whole community to congratulate her, and you can help get the word out. Make sure the invitations go out on time, and maintain an RSVP list. Encourage those who might be wavering on whether or not to attend, and thank all attendees on behalf of the family.
You probably realize that just because a girl is grown, her mother is still a powerful ally in her day-to-day life. Helping your own daughter reach out to others is a wonderful, meaningful way to forge that alliance as she grows into beautiful young womanhood.
By: Aimee Wheeler
Congratulations! Your little hija is growing up, thanks to your love and guidance. The Quinceanera celebration is her arrival, in many ways her transformation into a charming young woman, and the perfect celebration of her coming of age. As your heart swells with pride, the thought of her upcoming event might evoke memories of your own celebration, and how you felt as you were unveiled to your family and friends at the beginning of your maturity.
It's no secret that children today grow up fast. Fortunately, your motherly responsibilities don't end just because your little girl is turning fifteen. There's still a lot to help her with in the planning and preparing for her Quinceanera, including the fiesta details and all the arrangements for the Misa de Accion de Gracias. She still needs your help! As you help her prepare, consider some of the following ideas and suggestions, so that she'll come through her perfect Quince celebration with a minimum of stress.
Remember to plan in advance. There are a lot of details to remember when helping to plan your daughter's Quince celebration, details that will need the careful and practiced touch of a mature woman. Many of these details involve deadlines and entry dates for the various events and preparations. For example, the two of you should contact your local church as early as a year in advance, to make arrangements for the Mass and to see if private services are available. Some parishes only hold monthly masses for all the Quince girls in their congregation. You can avoid disappointment by checking early.
Support your daughter's decisions, and don't dominate them. Your daughter needs your help, and you're probably tempted out of your love and concern to assert too much control over her event. You should counsel your daughter by all means, and put your foot down if you absolutely must, but remember also that this is her special celebration. While you want the best for her, of course, the spirit of the Quinceañera should encourage you to let her reach her own decisions.
Lend your experience and keep a sharp eye out for bargains. Youthful enthusiasm sometimes causes teens to overlook some important details that may return to haunt them later. Keep an eye on the fine print on your daughter's behalf, so that she'll be covered against the little pitfalls that prop up along the way. For example, when touring the celebration's venue, you might inspect the bathrooms and ask to see the kitchen, to check for cleanliness. How a venue keeps its facilities up when no one's looking is a great indicator of how they'll behave during your daughter's event. You might also check the fine print in any contracts from facilities, caterers, or musicians and DJs, to make sure you're both getting a fair deal.
Also, you might browse through catalogs looking for bargains to suggest to your daughter, and help her keep track of the costs of such things as her dress,jewelry, shoes, and hairstyle. You don't have to dominate her decisions, but you can advocate for good deals and for taking advantage of time and money-saving opportunities along the way.
Reach out to your family and your community. Your daughter's Quinceanera is a time for her whole community to congratulate her, and you can help get the word out. Make sure the invitations go out on time, and maintain an RSVP list. Encourage those who might be wavering on whether or not to attend, and thank all attendees on behalf of the family.
You probably realize that just because a girl is grown, her mother is still a powerful ally in her day-to-day life. Helping your own daughter reach out to others is a wonderful, meaningful way to forge that alliance as she grows into beautiful young womanhood.
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