I'm not a bad parent for not taking my kids to a jubilee type party am I?

[KJCB]

i have seen so many photos of jubilee parties, street parties etc in my local area. We have not been to mine whatsoever.

My kids are both autistic, they cope with crowds to a certain extent but can be unpredictable and I'm not keen on busy places and avoid as I get panicky myself. I'd also rather go somewhere further afield so I don't know anyone. I'm socially awkward. It's hot too and neither of my kids like being out in the heat too long.

we haven't been stuck in. We've been busy all week with different things at our own leisure.

They had jubilee things going on at school last week including a jubilee party.

we've had a family birthday party a few days ago which kinda tied in with the jubilee and we got to see family.

Yesterday we went to the arcades and played on the 2p machines.

this morning we went for a walk in the countryside before it got too hot and found a nice quiet park to play in.

we've driven through numerous towns and villages and looked for bunting and flags which they lived.

but no actual parties! my kids haven't been to a party with music, bouncy castles, candy floss and all that kinda jazz. I kinda feel guilty now. But my anxiety levels couldn't take that kinda thing right now!

anyone else not been to any street parties?

its okay to celebrate in our own way, right?

been made to feel guilty by a relative that we haven't done much.

tomorrow, we are planning a morning out and treating ourselves to take away for lunch!

It's not the law , do whatever you like 😊

It's official. You have had a lovely week.
This relative....they are silly. Who the heck are they? Of course you've done enough!

Our street party is pretty tame, everybody sitting in their own front gardens, waving to one another across the street, and eating cake. No bouncy castles or kids games or anything like that.

It is actually going on outside as I write and is dull enough to have forced me indoors and onto MN.

been made to feel guilty by a relative that we haven't done much

Ignore them. You've done far more than us! I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than attend a 'street party'

Said relative and their neighbours are having a . Street party as we speak and got offended that I didn't want to go - with people that I wouldn't really know as don't live close by. Also there's lots of fun days around. I just can't face it right now!

It never even occurred to me to go to a jubilee party, and we’re in London… DS and I walked past some of the dissipating crowds in Charing Cross yesterday (on the way back from NHM) and realised there had been a parade - just wasn’t on my radar at all.

You are totally fine, this isn’t like VE Day where people will remember the street parties for years to come!

Of course not but it’s a shame your anxiety is affecting the activities your kids get to take part in

We’ve not been anywhere either, DS has exams starting next week so we’ve been at home whilst he revises. We’ve watched a bit on TV and having a BBQ tonight for dinner, but that’s it!

I honestly think that about 1% of people care about the queen’s jubilee and the rest are just after a party. Don’t feel guilty at all.

I took mine to one yesterday and it was horrible! Too busy and noisy and none of us enjoyed it. Most people are going to them for the sake of photos I think!

I'm in Scotland and don't know anyone having a party. I couldn't care less about the royal family. No you are not a bad parent in the slightest.

Aside from at school my kids have done nothing jubilee related at all. We’ve had a nice half term doing other things. They’re happy, I’m happy and I’d bet my house that as adults they aren’t going to turn round and tell me I spoilt their lives because they didn’t get to go to a jubilee party - which round here isn’t all that different from the annual village fete anyway. It’s hardly going to be the last royal event of their lifetime or even childhoods.

Wow. I couldn't imagine living my life being this insecure.

You have nothing to feel remotely guilty about.

I let my mum take my ds to one with his friends yesterday because I was hungover I think I win shittest parent of the jubilee. Seriously you’ve done more then most people I know this bank holiday. Give yourself a break if your children are autistic and don’t cope with crowds who’s getting the enjoyment out of it your relative ?

It's my idea of hell. Forced fun and 'community', no thanks!
My town has pretty shit festivities to be fair, town centre music and a torch lighting, a handful of eye wateringly expensive rides and one community centre 'party' that is essentially a bouncy castle and a bar in a rougher part of town that I guarantee will be a load of pissed adults and unsupervised, over tired kids. I don't get the need to feign community just because some old lady didn't die.

We have avoided all of it. We've been out and done other things, popped next door to see our lovely neighbours- they're an older couple and adore the dc, dc adore them too so it was a nice couple of hours. Spent yesterday on a massive park and paddled in the river, today we've had a picnic in the garden and played.

They've had loads of jubilee shit at school and nursery so I don't feel bad. It's been nice having an extra couple of days together but I don't care about the jubilee.

I couldn’t care less about any of it and we’ve just been enjoying time together as a family, definitely not going to feel guilty about skipping a street party

I couldn't imagine living my life being so rude and lacking in empath

Sounds like you had fun and that’s all that matters . I have just come back from the beach where I have had a paddle and a picnic with ds . Didn’t cross my mind that I should have gone to a street party instead because they are not really my type of thing . Ds already had a jubilee picnic at school , dressed in red , white and blue and all that sort of stuff .

I went to a jubilee fete and it was pretty much walking around a field with expensive burgers! Yours sounds more fun

I've no interest in the jubilee whatsoever and we're doing nothing to celebrate it. We are having a day out tomorrow that's all.

My MIL came round earlier and asked why I didn't have any bunting up. I said I was waiting for it to be on sale on Monday and then I will buy it cheap in preparation for Charlie's coronation 😂

I’d rather set fire to my eyelashes than forcibly socialise on my street. We’ve been to see friends, been for walks, and on Sunday we’re going to a BBQ at my mum’s. Just normal family stuff.

I do actually like the Royals but street parties are not my thing thanks! I remember the VE celebrations and it was cringe with kids running wild and pissed parents.

Our village had bugger all happening. Pub quiz and darts match was about it. Hardly any bunting and absolutely no street party!

We must be really bad parents then because not only are we not taking DD to any street parties, as republicans she's had to listen to us ranting on about what a nonsense it all is haha.

Seriously though, the media would have you believe that everyone is involved...the reality is plenty of people are like us and are actively avoiding it, plenty others are indifferent and just getting on with their normal activities. I reckon it's actually just a minority who are full on embracing it.

Do the things that you and your family enjoy.

You’ve had a lovely time by the sounds of it. Loads of things the kids will have enjoyed. Why put them through something all of you would hate - sounds like your relative needs validation for their own choices and feels uncomfortable when someone chooses to do something different. Ignore them and crack on.