ohhhhhhhh - im a control freak and ds1 has left the house gone to a nightclub and is sleeping out .......

[Dracschick]

Hes 17.

Hes going to the t'other side of Manchester,for his friends 18th.

Hes sleeping over at another friends as he cant get transport home aside from a £40 taxi.

Hes gone.

Wont be back til tomorrow lunchtime.

ok dont care then

well he's been really responsible and organised his whole night, you should be very proud that you have brought him up right.

and it stands him in good stead next year when he's 18 and pissed every night

Oh God no he wont drink !!!

He went to the pub last night with his mates he drinks orange or coca cola hes not 'into' drinking at all.......its just I dont know the house hes staying at ....I cant get to where he is very easily either.

Has he got a mobile if he needs you for anything?

yes but daft ds3 has just this very minute said what if the charge runs out and he cant phone home?

He will be fine

What were you doing at 17, Dracschick? You really can't live in this state of nervous exhaustion, when your son is just doing what every boy his age is doing - actually he's doing a lot less, if he's not drinking!

If you have brought him up properly, then you know that he can cope with the usual situations that can occur. He's not going to cause a fight, is he? He's not going to be drunk and disorderly. He's simply staying with a friend and will be back the next day!

At 17 ......I was living with the bouncer from my local nightclub...... now you understand more lol.....

ds1 was really good though he rang me several times during the evening and then again when hed got to the friends house.

I don't have kids that age, but I wouldn't even expect the phonecalls to be honest! Your son sounds really, really responsible. Not drinking (this might be down to personal taste...I hated the taste of alcohol when I was younger but still drank it because of peer pressure...but still, good on him) and also telling you his plans for the night, albeit not 100% detailed. Furthermore, he rang you so great!

I think kids at that age should be allowed to have a bit of freedom and trust shown from their parents, just like if they say, "I'm going out tonight", sure I'd like to know generally where they're going but that's all I'd ask really.

At 17, I was out every (and I mean every night) drinking, smoking, shagging, vandalising, terrorising and much, much more. Then I'd get home and do most of the above throughout the morning again I'd rarely get home by 3PM, and was then out the door again at about 6

I really don't mean to sound preachy, because I don't want to be. It's just it sounds like you have a lovely, thoughtful son

I just severely contradicted myself in that penultimate paragraph

Meh, the important thing is that I was hardly ever home....

well that has really reassured me Wingdad

It was more I think that he was in an area ive never been to and stopping with people Ive never met ,usually we've had a car and been able to pick him up from wherever he was but not unfortunately this time.

Oh I didn't mean to worry you, sorry

What I was trying to say was that it could be a LOT worse, because I think it's kinda clear what your son is up to is pretty innocent and just having a good time.

I can understand the 'loss of control' side of things, but maybe it will get easier as he begins to go out a few more times.

Although I can't talk from experience sorry.

lol....its ok wingdad,he is sensible i know - unlike ds2 ......