DS 18th birthday cancelled

[DoubleAction]

He was going out with a group that has got progressively smaller all week (mostly because they had to work to cover absences)

The four left were going to go to TGIs but not now. Would it be very wrong to let them hang out, around the fire pit in our garden instead?

You know it would. Not sure why you’re even asking given the multitude of similar threads lately.

I thought maybe a very small group outdoors might be OK?

Seriously? Did you listen to anything said on the update?

I despair I really do.

He's an adult, he has mental capacity to understand it's not about him.

I would think modelling responsible behaviour is more important than pandering to an 18 year old who should also know better.

I know. DS is actually very pragmatic about it but what a rubbish time to be young

It’s sad that events will be cancelled, but it’s so important to not socialise right now. This means you can only see people in your household. Stay home and celebrate with your household.

It's sad, yes. But the rules still apply to him and it obviously can't go ahead in any form.

I do have some sympathy but it’s also a rubbish time to be old, a rubbish time to be in an insecure job and potentially lose your home, a rubbish time to have underlying health issues or need any major medical treatment. It’s rubbish for us all. If he has a secure home and family, no worries about having to put food on the table etc. Then he’s in a better position than many. This is a time where we have to be thankful for what we have and a few missed social gatherings is nothing in the grand scheme of things.

No small gatherings allowed unless it’s outside and they stay 2m apart or its people who live together.

So no fire pit or hanging with mates as they won’t be able to stay apart.

The young think they’re invincible.

Remind him that his birthday night out isn’t cancelled it’s just postponed. He can have it after the madness is over.

It is SUCH a bummer, OP. Mine was 18 on the 24th of Feb and even then I was really worried. They went out as a group of 10/11 (not sure) for a big slap-up meal and his first legal beer. And I was thinking, we just got our foot in the door. DD's 10th is totally cancelled, as will be DS2's birthday.
I would plan for something in the Autumn. A big ol' slap-up meal to celebrate his 18th and (hopefully) celebrate being on the safer side of covid-19. Fingers crossed!
I'm so sorry for your boy. Everything is so immediately changed and it's really a big and abrupt adjustment. He'll never forget his 18th, that's for sure!

It's my DS's 18th next Sunday. All plans have been cancelled, its shit, he's bummed out but it's just going to have to be delayed until safer