So, Mum and Dad have agreed to let you have a party - a small one mind, but a party all the same - at home. Cool huh? You're thinking a funky little bash with that cute guy prefect, a glam new outfit to wear, an endless supply of tidbits and drinks, plus all your friends around you having a wicked time. To ensure that your party will achieve legendary status, it will most definitely be a parent-free zone. Not that you're ashamed of your Mum and Dad or anything but your Dad's tendency to break into his 'special' dance whenever he hears a Busted tune is just too embarrassing for words.

Telling your parents that you'd prefer them to make themselves scarce on your big night is a sure-fire way to hurt their feelings - unless you handle it right. We reckon honesty is the best policy. Gently suggest that despite the fact you've loved all the kiddie parties they've enjoyed with you in the past, now that you're getting older, you'd like to try something a little more sophisticated. And that means keeping your Dad's ker-razy moves hidden well away from sight.

Rowing about it is not the solution either. Crying, screaming and shouting that you don't want them within 100 miles of your party is not the way to go about showing them how you can be responsible for a parent-free party. Negotiating with them in a calm and mature manner is more likely to help you get the freedom you need. Think cool, calm and collected OK?

Be realistic also. Very few parents are going to hand over the keys to the house to you (and half your year) and say 'Have a great time guys - see you in the morning!' Why not ask them to stay for the first half hour or so and then suggest that they might want to let you get on with the party on your own - safely monitored by them from their room or even better - the next door neighbours? Agree that they can pop their heads round the door every half hour or so and promise them faithfully that if there are any problems, you'll let them know immediately.

It's all about trust. If you can show them that they can trust you to do the right thing then they're more likely to start giving you some of the space you crave. The same rules apply if your parents are twitchy about dropping you off/collecting you from your friend's parties. Use your newfound negotiating skills to work out drop off and collection routines that you can all live with. Hopefully, this should mean that from now on, you'll be able to enjoy relatively parent-free parties (or at least, parties that are free from your Dad's terrible dancing) without having to go through a battle zone to get there.