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Original poster

Ruined ds's prom

222 replies

lostanduseless · 27/06/2025 00:42

Went to pick up him and friends and there was a hideous diversion. I just couldn't do it. Drove round and round for an hour until his headteacher gave up and drove them home. Could hear friends getting frustrated, understandably, while on the phone to him.

I feel to stupid and useless. I drive loads but every other parent managed to work it out except me. Poor ds. Poor teachers. Poor other parents. What a twat.

OP posts:
abricotine · 27/06/2025 00:51

I wanted to commiserate OP. The annoyance and embarrassment will honestly pass. At least they were able to enjoy their evening first and it was just going home plans went awry. These things happen. It’s shit but part of life. Nobody was hurt or committed a crime at least!
I also had a traffic jam nightmare today and missed the start of an event I was really excited about so feeling sensitive about traffic related issues! I’m sorry for your crap evening when you were trying to do something nice. It was probably very stressful for you too. Hope you feel better soon.

Mayflower282 · 27/06/2025 01:46

In years to come you will all look back and laugh! They will joke about how they thought they would have to sleep at the school. Don’t worry xx

Tobacco · 27/06/2025 02:35

None of the other parents stepped in and picked up when you couldn't get there though. Try not to worry. It'll quickly be forgotten about. Surely they'll remember the prom more if they enjoyed it. They'll be old enough to get an uber home soon

fatgirlswims · 27/06/2025 03:09

It’s one hour - they need to get over themselves!

What was the problem with the diversion -Did you have a SatNav
Did you drop him off or did diversion appear during the prom?

You have not ruined his prom. He needs to a grip if he think you have

FortyElephants · 27/06/2025 03:59

Don't you use google maps?

Moomdingou · 27/06/2025 04:23

You feel stupid and useless because you could not work out a road diversion?

DesperateforSunshine · 27/06/2025 04:49

abricotine · 27/06/2025 00:51

I wanted to commiserate OP. The annoyance and embarrassment will honestly pass. At least they were able to enjoy their evening first and it was just going home plans went awry. These things happen. It’s shit but part of life. Nobody was hurt or committed a crime at least!
I also had a traffic jam nightmare today and missed the start of an event I was really excited about so feeling sensitive about traffic related issues! I’m sorry for your crap evening when you were trying to do something nice. It was probably very stressful for you too. Hope you feel better soon.

Exactly - they enjoyed and it was time at the end - not the beginning so they missed nothing - dont worry about it

Sandysandyfeet · 27/06/2025 05:42

It would have been ruined if they hadn’t got there - they did! Just make sure you apologise to the head and any teachers who had to wait with them. A lot.

Original poster
lostanduseless · 27/06/2025 05:47

I hate myself for this. I feel sick.

I didn't drop him off as he went with others and I was picking up. I have Satnav but it just kept sending me the way of the diversion. I've been to the place before and know the area but not that well. I tried using my phone but that didn't work and I couldn't see it properly. I followed the diversion but obviously it wasn't geared to the venue and I just kept ending up on the wrong side of a dual carriageway and couldn't get across.

I'm just useless as everyone else managed it. I feel so bad for the teachers, yes. They must think I am a total idiot.

OP posts:
Yerroblemom1923 · 27/06/2025 05:48

Don't beat yourself up, OP, this is something I would've done. All those saying "don't you have satnav/Googlemaps etc", ignore. I once missed a lunch with ex colleagues as there was a diversion sign on my normal route there and I couldn't work out how to get there any other way.

Yerroblemom1923 · 27/06/2025 05:49

And you didn't "ruin his prom", you simply struggled to collect him due to traffic issues that were outside your control.

TheBig50 · 27/06/2025 05:53

Ohhh don't beat yourself up about this.

I thought you hadn't got them there!!

I remember arriving home from a school French trip - Wednesday 2am. One girls parents didn't pick her up as to them Wednesday 2am meant Thursday!(?)

ChillWith · 27/06/2025 05:53

Dear OP, you're beating yourself up unnecessarily. Your son and his friends were at their prom and presumably had a great time. You were unable to collect due to getting stuck in a diversion loop. But they managed to get home. And so did you! It really isn't a big deal at all. You will all laugh about it eventually.

FakingItEasy · 27/06/2025 05:53

OP, do you often feel "useless" and beat yourself up over things? Because this isn't a typical reaction to something like this... Yes it:s annoying, and it's normal to feel a little bit bad, but it's also normal to recognise that it's just one of those things.

I would maybe get the headteacher some chocolates or whatever as a thank you, and literally put it behind you. DS got to prom, had a good time and got home again. There's really nothing to stress about 🙂

Original poster
lostanduseless · 27/06/2025 06:11

Yes, I will definitely get the HT some chocolates and HoY was there late too. I don't know whether chocolates is enough and I should be getting whisky or something, but is that inappropriate? stupid thing is I'm a teacher but I've never known this happen in 20 years of attending proms. Should I get something for the other parents too?

OP posts:
caringcarer · 27/06/2025 06:12

lostanduseless · 27/06/2025 05:47

I hate myself for this. I feel sick.

I didn't drop him off as he went with others and I was picking up. I have Satnav but it just kept sending me the way of the diversion. I've been to the place before and know the area but not that well. I tried using my phone but that didn't work and I couldn't see it properly. I followed the diversion but obviously it wasn't geared to the venue and I just kept ending up on the wrong side of a dual carriageway and couldn't get across.

I'm just useless as everyone else managed it. I feel so bad for the teachers, yes. They must think I am a total idiot.

This thing always happens to me too OP. The satnav just keeps trying to make me go back on to road that is closed. The thing to do is ignore the satnav and follow the diversion signs. It didn't really matter as it was collecting so they still got there on time and enjoyed their evening.

SunshineDeLaSoul · 27/06/2025 06:15

Why the other parents? It’s just a mistake don’t sweat it

Handownduggies · 27/06/2025 06:16

Shit happens. I'd look forwards- maybe think what you might do differently next time if you think this would help you. It sounds like you got into a muddle and couldn't get out of it - what could have changed that (parking up, looking at a map, calling the venue or someone who had dropped off - that type of thing)- is there something you can take from this that will help you in the future in a similar situation.
But, be kind to yourself!

keeponandonandon · 27/06/2025 06:18

lostanduseless · 27/06/2025 06:11

Yes, I will definitely get the HT some chocolates and HoY was there late too. I don't know whether chocolates is enough and I should be getting whisky or something, but is that inappropriate? stupid thing is I'm a teacher but I've never known this happen in 20 years of attending proms. Should I get something for the other parents too?

I would not get anything for the parents, just some chocolates for the head and HOY.

Your son is 15/16 he will get over it, dont beat yourself up about it.

JMSA · 27/06/2025 06:21

Don’t worry about it. But you need to get the Head a nice bottle of something as a thank you!

Shimmyshimmycocobop · 27/06/2025 06:21

I did something similar once taking ds2 and his friends to a birthday party. We were new to the city we now live in and I just couldn't find the bowling alley which was in a big complex.
The boys started to moan they were missing the bowling, ds was embarrassed, I got redder in the face. I stopped to phone the host twice for directions. We did get there but were quite late, we laugh about it now but I felt awful at the time.

Thingyfanding · 27/06/2025 06:22

Just apologise and buy some flowers/chocs for the teacher who stepped in, nothing else is needed. Please try to let this go - you didn’t ruin his prom! I bet they had a brilliant time and your intentions were good.

ArghhWhatNext · 27/06/2025 06:25

They’ll laugh in the future. Stuff goes wrong in life.
but please get a card for the head who will most likely be on their way to work now having been on duty for an extra hour last night.

thequeenoftarts · 27/06/2025 06:26

LOL well next time anyone wants a lift they may ask one of the other perfect parents to do it. I'd make a running joke of it, yes no problem giving lifts BUT remember that prom night. Look it was a minor inconvenience, made worse by the fact it was night time and they all wanted their beds. Cpl packs of biccies and nice coffee for the staff room and most importantly no one died. Teens are such serious creatures, they hate being embarrassed. He will laugh in years to come. Don't stress about it too much, tell him you are sorry, wasn't deliberate and find a better sat nav haha. I cal mine twat nav as she has a habit of sending me on wild goose chases

SugarPlumpFairyCakes · 27/06/2025 06:29

lostanduseless · 27/06/2025 05:47

I hate myself for this. I feel sick.

I didn't drop him off as he went with others and I was picking up. I have Satnav but it just kept sending me the way of the diversion. I've been to the place before and know the area but not that well. I tried using my phone but that didn't work and I couldn't see it properly. I followed the diversion but obviously it wasn't geared to the venue and I just kept ending up on the wrong side of a dual carriageway and couldn't get across.

I'm just useless as everyone else managed it. I feel so bad for the teachers, yes. They must think I am a total idiot.

Bollocks.

Don't let yourself or anyone feel this way.

I hope your ds isn't sat by stuff like this.

Not sure why it is such a big deal? All's well that ends well.