Ahh, the tween years. Has it really been 12 years since the little bundle came home from the hospital? New parents think that if they can only make it through potty training and toddler separation anxiety, the rest will be a piece of cake. As a parent who has lived to tell the tale a few times over, I'm here to tell ya, 'It Ain't So.'

You think you had it bad when little Susie cut her bangs into some crazy porcupine looking do at the sweet age of 3? Just wait until same darling Susie hits the ripe old age of 12 and begins entering adolescence and starts watching MTV. Overnight your little sweet heart will grow horns and objects will begin moving around your house on their own. Yes, your precious daughter will be possessed by the Tween Demon.

What does all of the above nonsense have to do with your soon-to-be-possessed 12 year old daughter's birthday party planning? Nothing much really, other than the fact that said demon child will also no longer think that anything you do or suggest or think or wear is a good idea, and will constantly roll her mean little eyes at you to make sure you're aware of your short-comings. In other words Mom or Dad, don't bother trying to plan a nice birthday for your kid that involves Barbies, animals, cartoon characters, Princesses or anything else made by Disney, except for perhaps Hillary Duff, but she's another story now that she's all grown up, and in my lowly opinion, part of the problem. But don't quote me.

Now you're sitting there wondering 'What in the world am I going to do?', 'This bitter woman has scared the heck out of me!', 'Will Susie really become a monster overnight?' Fortunately my friend the answer is 'maybe.' So better grin and prepare for the worst just to be safe. On to devising a plan for your daughter's birthday that will perhaps grant you a minute or two of 'coolness' in your child's eyes, and maybe even warrant an actual smile from her eye-rolling face and 'oh my god mom' chanting mouth.

I have an idea. Now this may sound sneaky and a little underhanded, but you could always make up some kind of 'flyer' on your computer and anonymously mail it to your kid. She'll love getting her own mail, and if she takes the bait, she'll think the birthday party idea was her own. On this little bit of creative advertising you could place info about the perfect birthday party idea for girls ages 10-12.

Something that my now 14 year old daughter fell madly in love with at around age 12 are bath and body products. Showers went on, and still do, forever, causing many uncomfortable moments for the males in the house who weren't wearing diapers at the time (one bathroom...) She couldn't get enough of the stuff, and wanted to be taken to the mall to the 'Bath and Body' store every weekend. My own facial and spa products began to disappear as the Tween Demon consumed everything that involved baths and masks. I'll never forget the slumber party where a table of demons sat around with pore strips on their noses, in total awe of their extreme coolness.

Are you following where I'm going with this devious plan to outsmart the Tween Demon? On your flyer you will place all of the products and ideas needed to plan a wonderful 'Spa Day' Birthday party, just perfect for 12 year old girls. She'll go nuts for it and will call her friends to get the plans started.

Now of course there are exceptions to the rule, and not every 12 year old girl will go for the idea of pampering and manicures, but you should know your own kid well enough to determine if 'Spa Day' is the theme to use. If not, choose a theme that goes along with the stuff hanging up on her bedroom walls. But let her think it's her own idea, and then applaud her for her creativity and provide what she needs for a perfect Tween Demon birthday party.

Remember to stay out of the way, but close enough to show you're supporting her and still around. TD's are very much like TT's aka: Terrible Twos, adamantly determined to proclaim their independence, but yet will still look over their shoulder every now and then to make sure you're there. Have fun with your Demon. They grown up too fast. To find some fun and easy home-made spa recipes girls will love to make at their party, visit Natural You Mineral Makeup.com.