New Batch of Year 13 parents this way!

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Hopefully this thread will appear on TIO! No need to use it til our old thread is done, but at least we have it for when we are ready.

I have supplied beer, cider and a few alcopop things several times. I always insist on texting/emailing parents (dd still has mostly the same group of friends since primary) prior to any “gathering” and letting them know that some alcohol will be provided and I’d prefer them not to bring anything additional. This stops them bringing stupid stuff like bottles of vodka and jaegermeister (have heard stories about many a messy party where this has happened) I’d prefer to be in control and know exactly what they’re all drinking.
I think the only way you could be charged for supplying it is if a parent pressed charges. So by getting the other parents approval beforehand I think that risk is removed.

They all bring their own in our part of the world.

Same here Ursula

I asked dd if she wanted to take alcohol to a party she’s going to soon. I got the look. Apparently it’s not something her friendship circle do.

I am beginning to realise that my dd exists in a very different universe to the oxbridge applicants.

Sad but true.

Not all Oxbridge applicants by a long way Ursula, otherwise their May balls wouldn’t be legendary for them jumping off bridges and getting up to ridiculous things. dd just has a weird bunch of friends

We are flying long haul on Saturday for a fabulous holiday and she is already contemplating what she will wear to a Hallowe'en party the day we get back.

"I am beginning to realise that my dd exists in a very different universe to the oxbridge applicants."

Same here
DD hardly drinks at all, but will have the odd glass of sweet cider, but a party/sleepover with no alcohol at all would be unthinkable now. I am very strict though and told everyone at DD's last party that I expected the toilets to be used for all bodily fluids, and anyone not doing so would be going home.

Ursula I wouldn't dare take DD out of school in year 13. Is your half term exceptionally early?

Just had a text from DD asking me to buy her a bottle of Malibu to take to a party tonight (says she’ll buy her own pineapple juice!) 🙄^^ She doesn’t like anything fizzy so her alcohol options are a bit limited.
Generally they do take their own with them, it’s just me that prefers to provide when it’s at our house, mainly to avoid vodka puke 🤢
DD has only just started trying alcohol really, she had no interest for a long time despite most of her friends drinking at parties for at least the last 2 or 3 years.
DD2 (16) however, has much more of a wild side . . She was having parties and sleepovers that included cider long before her sister.

DD's only alcohol intake so far has been communion wine! I can't see that changing any time soon which I am relieved about as it is one less worry.

Malibu now there’s a blast from the past!

I know Kitten! She got a taste for it when her (West Indian) Grandmother made Pina Coladas in the summer.
It did make me smile when that’s what she asked for!

mmmm Malibu and coke.....

DS doesn't drink. I think most just take their own alcohol along. He usually takes a couple of bottles of fizzy pop .

He's often the one walking his friends outside to sober them up and has already been informed that he will be the designated driver once he passes his test...

Dd is often the one comforting the crying drunk as well.

We have a two week half term - great for visiting South Africa in the Spring.

Have a lovely time Ursula. I will be sleeping in, drifting around in my pjs, eating pizza for tea and generally not setting a good example. DS will be away for most of the (single) week so I can abandon responsible parenting.

Ooh Ursula how lovely!
How does that work - did you have a shorter summer? Is it just this half term or do you have 2 weeks at all of them?
I’d love to go away now. Only 1 week for us though.

Round here the private schools always get 2 weeks for October half term.

The L.A. tried to get school holidays changed to fewer weeks in summer and 2 weeks at half term, but it was vetoed strongly by all the head teachers.

I'm not sure how it works to be honest. When a new principal arrived a few years ago he introduced it - but he also had family in South Africa and I did wonder if he made the changes to suit himself!

It is a private school so they seem to make their own rules.

sounds like a lovely holiday Ursula.

I am slightly outraged that having paid £750 each for our flights, the airline wants me to pay to book a seat!!!!! Previously you could check in online a month before the flight and select your seats. The website says they will release free seats 30 hours before hand so I have set a calendar reminder for tomorrow.

If we can't sit together I pity the poor soul next to DD. She has just had her nails done and will be unable to open any of the fiddly food tray stuff - that is normally my job.......

Haha Ursula, I think I like your DD . . !

Rubbish about the seat booking though. Funnily enough DH has been having an ongoing airline related rant this week. His has been about luggage, but similar sudden rule changes which have ended up with him forking out for extras he usually wouldn’t need to pay.

It will all be worth it for you for 2 weeks in SA though . . < jealous (I’ll be spending my half term dog sitting for my parents and clearing out the loft )

Well done to those with offers already.

Enjoy your holiday Ursula

Dd got her personal statement back from school today with a couple of minor alterations to make, so she did them in a free and handed it back in again this afternoon. She thinks she's sending it off this weekend, and then it's just the school bits to add on, which her teacher says she's ready to add this weekend too.