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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have said yes to my 14 year old son

53 replies

Mitmoo · 30/07/2011 20:12

When he asked if he could have a couple of friends around to sleep in a tent in the back garden tonight.

I'm stressed already.

OP posts:
Waltons · 30/07/2011 21:17

When DS invites "a few friends" over there are so many tents the garden looks like Glastonbury.

They have a lovely time putting up their tents and sitting chatting in them, and then they fall asleep all over the lounge, if they sleep at all ...

AmazingBouncingFerret · 30/07/2011 21:24

I remember having a picnic of dominoes pizza with my best friend, in my garden. We washed it down with a huge pepsi flask (bought from drayton manor park!) of gin, rum and brandy.

My parents got home to find us attempting to put up the tent. We managed it in the end and had a great night eating mini marshmallows and spooning for warmth!

Mandy2003 · 30/07/2011 21:44

I'm jealous of all these stories! We have a patio garden that's actually downstairs's flat roof so we can't pitch tents! Will have to make a bender off the balcony rail with a tarpaulin.

Whatmeworry · 30/07/2011 21:47

I'm shocked anyone is worried about kids camping in a garden!

Original poster
Mitmoo · 30/07/2011 21:50

I'm not worried about the kids, they're doing my head it, it's me I am worried about. Grin

OP posts:
Whatmeworry · 30/07/2011 21:55

Ah - in that case two glasses of Mothers Little Helper and call us in the morning :o

rubyrubyruby · 30/07/2011 22:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Mitmoo · 30/07/2011 22:36

Mine have passed the excited stage and are now settling down. I've frisked them for vodka and ciggies, not that I mind them having them they just need to share.

Seriously though I'm on the settee for the night lad trying to be really brave in front of his mates but needs to know I am near by. He hears people in the garden who aren't there and I have to check it a lot so if he manages the night with his mates I will be so very very proud of such a massive achievement for him.

It's not so long that he couldn't even go into the garden because of the autism and a shed burglary mixed together so a night on the settee is no real hardship.

Not with a V&T in front of me now. Grin

OP posts:
startail · 30/07/2011 22:42

My lot take walkie talkies out with them and demand hot chocolate at midnight.
My daft bugger of a DH got up and got them it too!

Original poster
Mitmoo · 30/07/2011 22:45

They can stuff midnight hot chocolates, I wish you had typed that a bit quieter, you'll give them ideas Grin They've got their phones but I'm not doing midnight orders stuff that for a game of soldiers. I have already stuffed them with chips and e numbers. Grin

OP posts:
OrdinaryJo · 30/07/2011 22:47

Mitmoo what a great acheivement for him even to be trying it and sounds like he has great friends too which makes me Grin.

Ruby somehow the thought of all those lads in a hot tub... just isn't doing it for me [slightly OCD about boy smells emoticon]

I hope you all have a fab night! My best friend is sleeping out in her back garden tonight because at the age of 40 she's decided to try camping! Bless.

rubyrubyruby · 30/07/2011 22:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Mitmoo · 30/07/2011 23:02

Ruby my son is major OCD diagnosed full blown 18 months of CBT as well as the autism.

He's just been in for a sneaky hug away from his mates which is just fabulous. He's a bit scared but its fun and he wants to stay in the tent. I think he feels safer now I'm on the settee as I promised and he's seen me bedded down.

ordinary he finds it hard to make friends but when he does they are kids who "get him" and accept him. He is high functioning but they know he is different and defend him.

They know he has been bullied to the point of suicidal and protect him.

Did I say I love teens. Grin

Sorry I am gushing but I am so very proud tonight.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mitmoo · 30/07/2011 23:05

I went out to check on him earlier and he screamed because I didn't announce my arrival, earlier I had to check around the shed to assure him no one was in the garden and that was before we had arranged the sleepover.

I can't believe he is in the garden now sleeping under a major cover, then three tents underneath that. It is such a small garden they've don't a terrific job.

So proud, I know it doesn't sound much at 14 but it's massive to us.

OP posts:
EllenJaneisnotmyname · 31/07/2011 00:09

Hi Mitmoo. Are you asleep? Hope it's going well. DS2 has ASD and you're giving me some great ideas for the future!

Original poster
Mitmoo · 31/07/2011 06:27

Ellen I had succumbed to sleep, not good on the settee though. They are all still asleep. Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
Mitmoo · 31/07/2011 09:05

UPDATE Theyve all woken up and look more knackered than they did last night, one of the lad's tents had a wasp or a bee buzzing around, one of my cats caught a mouse and gifted it to my son in his tent. They all said it was cold but they all want to do it again tonight!

OP posts:
EllenJaneisnotmyname · 31/07/2011 10:18

That sounds par for the course! Glad it was successful and your DS managed it with his friends. Smile

Original poster
Mitmoo · 31/07/2011 10:23

Ellen Thanks I'm very proud of him and they enjoyed themselves so all is well.

OP posts:
OrdinaryJo · 31/07/2011 10:36

That is brilliant! Excellent job MitmooJr. No update from Ruby yet, so I have an image of them all still snoring away gently in their tent - including Ruby! Grin

OrdinaryJo · 31/07/2011 10:37

Oh and apparently my 40 year old friend made it through too It is a proud day for Ordinary Grin Grin

rubyrubyruby · 31/07/2011 11:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EllenJaneisnotmyname · 31/07/2011 11:46

Ruby, that's similar to what happened to my DS3 on a birthday tent sleepover last week. 7 boys all aged 9 lasted until midnight, but got too scared by the ghost stories they were telling!

EllenJaneisnotmyname · 31/07/2011 11:47

Not in my garden, I hasten to add!

FernandoBanjo · 31/07/2011 11:56

Your son will be delighted with himself. Well done him!