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Original poster

To not let my son go camping on his prom night

271 replies

longcoffeebreak · 18/06/2021 00:34

Just that really. He is 16 and wants to camp after his prom with friends in a friend's parent's field.

I think the idea stinks and that they will be drinking and totally unsupervised.

He thinks I am too strict and everyone else is allowed to go ..

OP posts:
LovelyIssues · 19/06/2021 20:12

I'd let him go lol I was getting up to much worse at a younger age

Amichelle84 · 19/06/2021 20:15

They will be drink before, during and after the prom anyway. Let him have some fun, it's all part of growing up.

shehasglasses48 · 19/06/2021 21:18

Let him go!

shehasglasses48 · 19/06/2021 21:21

Seriously. At least he’s asking you and being up front and honest. He’s on the brink of adulthood and needs to make these decisions by himself.

KarmaStar · 19/06/2021 21:26

Let him go!!😊 cut those apron strings 🌺

SallyWD · 19/06/2021 21:30

Oh God, let him go!! Some of most exciting times and happiest memories from my teens were camping with mates. OK, sometimes we had a few drinks but it just felt so amazing to be alive - young and happy and carefree. Teenagers have had a hell of a time over the last year. Let him let his hair down!

SallyWD · 19/06/2021 21:33

@zurala just seen your post - that you're 46 and this was not a thing when you were young. I'm also 46 - we didn't have proms but we certainly had drinking and camping in fields. Best times ever!
Op- I've seen you did let him go. That's great!

Flossatops · 19/06/2021 22:58

Let him go and enjoy himself; they deserve it after the year they've had. It's also good to let him know you trust him but if he gets drunk, so be it. They need to at some stage and it's better than going to uni (if he goes) and going nuts because he had no freedom at home.

Mamanyt · 20/06/2021 00:20

I think that I agree with @Peakypolly. This is good practice for him going to Uni in a couple of years...a practice run. as it were. Most of my friends who got into trouble during things like this were those who were kept on VERY short leashes and had no experience in making decisions.

Northernlassie1974 · 20/06/2021 09:11

I'd love to know how it went OP?

lemartin · 20/06/2021 13:40

Yes you’re being unreasonable. After prom is almost like a rite of passage. I had incredibly strict parents but after prom wasn’t really even a question. We had prom and then after prom and that’s just how it was. We all stayed up until early hours and then zonked out in tents and got picked up in the morning bleary eyed by all our parents.
He’s 16, give him a bit of freedom.

pumpkintree · 20/06/2021 14:18

Let him go! If he is anything like my mate who were always not allowed to do stuff- he will just start lying to you. Its prom and totally normal to stay out after!

Mamanyt · 20/06/2021 17:02

@pumpkintree

Let him go! If he is anything like my mate who were always not allowed to do stuff- he will just start lying to you. Its prom and totally normal to stay out after!
And going totally wild as soon as he can slip the leash!
mussymummy · 20/06/2021 17:34

I think you are being mean and way yo strict not allowing him to go. What did you do at 16 for your prom? The last 18 months have been shit, let your son have some fun. If you have raised him right then he will know how to have a few drinks responsibility although from the tone of your post I think you have him on quite a tight leish.
Let him have this

BillyShears · 20/06/2021 17:35

We did this after our post GCSE disco (wasn’t called a prom then). We did drink but it was a lot of fun and we had an amazing time. Let him! One of my favourite youth memories.

extravirginoliveoil · 20/06/2021 18:00

@mussymummy

I think you are being mean and way yo strict not allowing him to go. What did you do at 16 for your prom? The last 18 months have been shit, let your son have some fun. If you have raised him right then he will know how to have a few drinks responsibility although from the tone of your post I think you have him on quite a tight leish. Let him have this
Read the thread. It’s already happened.
Twoforthree · 20/06/2021 18:02

So did he have a good time? And a hangover? 😁

Northernlassie1974 · 20/06/2021 18:09

@longcoffeebreak

Thanks everyone for your input. It has been really helpful.

He is on his way there now. I took a bag to the hotel with casual clothes and some drinks and snacks and put it in the cloakroom for him when he leaves the prom.

I also spoke to the mum. She works with young people and the field is near their house and she will check on them. She has my number.

I have said he needs to text me to let me know he is ok - and have said all the stuff about being sensible - including phone me if it goes wrong!

And to Have a Nice Time 😀

For all those posting to tell OP to let him go....she did!
Inastatus · 20/06/2021 18:26

How did it go OP? I hope he had a good time. My DD will be doing the same next month so I’m very interested to hear how it went.

Lou898 · 21/06/2021 10:23

Like others have said I think it depends a little on your teenager. He’s now had the experience of alcohol and it’s effects ( would be maybe different if he’d never had a drink before) and on that basis I’d be saying he could go but laying down some ground rules which if crossed would impact on his future requests. It’s about giving him some independence whilst expecting some responsibility.
Ive a 21 year old and a 17 year old. Don’t get me wrong, the eldest had a couple of drunken episodes but learnt from them and now drinks sensibly. The younger one I’m more concerned about as due to covid little experience of alcohol but I will still allow him to go out when the time comes and he knows my expectations about keeping himself safe.

Inastatus · 21/06/2021 18:23

@Lou898 - he’s already been!

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