1. The best way to enjoy your child's party and allow them to truly enjoy it themselves is to be worry-free. Do this by creating party boundaries. Separate the "party space" with streamers and balloons, protect or remove anything of special value and remember that there is no sense in crying over spilled milk.

2. Secure plenty of helping hands. Some suggestions include: relatives, friends, and students from your local high school or neighborhood babysitters. You'll miss out on all the great moments if you try to do everything yourself.

3. Allow your child to select toys he or she would enjoy sharing with the guests. Remove all other toys to prevent complications.

4. Provide a table where gifts can be displayed as guests arrive. We suggest a location near the door.

5. Use those helpers. Assign someone the task of collecting everyone's coats and book bags and placing them in a separate room. This person could also be in charge of distributing these items back to the partygoers as they say goodbye.

6. Bumps and bruises are often in order when kids are having fun, so keep your first-aid kit handy along with an ice pack. You can never be too prepared.

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