A young girl's Quinceanera is a time to celebrate, but for the quince anos girl's father it's also a time for bittersweet reflection. Your little girl is just beginning to grow up, and there's a few tumultuous years left to cross before she emerges as a fully-grown woman, ready for the world. The Quinceanera really just celebrates the end of the beginning of your daughter's life.

But you'll be her father no matter what age she becomes, and you'll always be there to help her. For the present, however, here are a few ways to make her Quinceanera a little easier.

Put your foot down only when absolutely necessary

It's part of the Quinceanera tradition to trust the quince anos girl to come to her own decisions about the fiesta and her clothing. And to be blunt: you'll have to start trusting your daughter sooner or later. Trusting her now makes the ultimate Quinceanera present.

You may well find yourself having to exert some fatherly veto privileges, however, if you find your daughter in an untenable situation or on the verge of making a drastic mistake. These mistakes, unfortunately, sometimes involve something that costs an unreasonable amount of money for the value.

It's tough to deny your little angel whatever she wants, but you're there to represent her best interests. That can mean having to play the bad guy – but a bad guy that's ultimately on her side.

Work with the padrinos

Your little girl's Quinceanera sponsors are going to have their own questions and concerns. While you're not responsible to them, as a courtesy you should keep them in touch with the planning and spending.

The padrinos are probably men and women you're already close to – a sibling or close friend of the family. You're probably used to working for them. As the quince anos girl's father, you should act as go-between, since you're in a unique position to find compromise and settle disagreements.

Do the driving and legwork

Your little girl will need transportation, and driving her will allow you see her choices of venue, caterer, and other important decisions first-hand. Of course, you'll be there to help her negotiate with the individuals responsible for those goods and services, too.

Collaborate whenever possible

The Quinceanera is a time to enjoy, too! Working with your daughter can often make the whole planning process go by that much smoother.