11 year old birthday advice

[TeddybearBaby]

My son is turning 12 in December. He’s just started secondary school. He wants to go with a few friends to a trampoline park and then for something to eat.

That’s all ok. I asked him to get his friends parents number and he said ‘it’s ok I’ll just message my friends myself’ I said that I thought I should probably speak to them myself. He’s fine with that, said he’d get me their numbers but now I’m wondering if I’m supposed to do that at his age? Is he supposed to organise it all himself with his friends?!

Thanks!!

That is exactly how my then 10 year old organised his birthday party! He texted his mates my number and got their mums to message me for details. I was surprised though when a few turned up whose parents hadn't bothered messaging....who takes the word of a 10 year old that they are invited to a sleepover without checking it out first!!

Yes, it's normal. But I do still try and get parents' contact details in case of emergency, particularly if I've never met the parents.

If it's a trampoline park, you'll probably have to sign safety waivers, which gives you the perfect excuse to insist on being able to contact them!

Well that’s what I was thinking! I’m finding it hard to know how to do things now that he’s in secondary. Keep thinking I’ll get used to it eventually. Thanks!!

As soon as they're in "big school" they organise their own birthday parties as such. I mean you'll still have to pay and maybe ferry them about . My eldest is now in third year and I haven't contacted any other parents re birthdays, days out etc since she started secondary.

Yes normal but like you it felt weird. To be honest it all worked out and only one parent asked for my number to confirm. The rest just turned up on the day at the agreed time