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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Reading 2022 Any of your 16 year olds going?

146 replies

MumofSpud · 16/08/2022 19:26

DD is off to Reading next week - planning on going on Thursday-- morning (as soon as possible her GCSE results email (to avoid any falling out!)--
She is going in a group and they also have friends going on the Wednesday - these friends will take their tent and put it up for them so they all get a good spot together
Can't see what could possibly go wrong with that plan!
I went to Glastonbury (a million years ago) so am a bit out of touch with current festivals!
I had originally said no to her going but when I saw here on Reading threads that most Ops would let their 16 year old DC go / Reading is full of Year 11s, I changed my mind.
We watched the recent Woodstock 99 documentary but she thought it all looked great funConfused
She is used to going to gigs / mosh pits - although is horrified that I was moshing in the early 90s!
Any advice? (For either of us - although she won't listen to me!)

OP posts:
Original poster
MumofSpud · 25/08/2022 19:43

Rollergirl11 · 25/08/2022 19:41

@MumofSpud hah hah thanks, I shall pass that on. How did she know about it? What camp site is your DD in? Mine is in the Camping plus area next to Red, DD is worried it’s a bit dead!

Ya she is in purple too - I will text her to see if there are any other details

OP posts:
snowstorm2012 · 25/08/2022 19:51

My son's in the green camp. Texted him asking and if all was okay and literally got 'green camp 👍🏼xxx' 😂😂

Original poster
MumofSpud · 25/08/2022 19:58

snowstorm2012 · 25/08/2022 19:51

My son's in the green camp. Texted him asking and if all was okay and literally got 'green camp 👍🏼xxx' 😂😂

What! You got words from your DC !! Am jealous EnvyGrin

OP posts:
snowstorm2012 · 25/08/2022 20:05

I know right!! 😂😂😂

UnicornMadeOfPinkGlitter · 25/08/2022 22:43

That’s unusual. There normally are silent discos and other things going on.

Hooe they all have a fab time and can out the stresses of GCSEs behind them before going off to college/sixth form/apprenticeships.

Rollergirl11 · 26/08/2022 12:26

How are people doing? 1 night down, 3 left to go! I had an unexpected FaceTime call from DD and her mate @11 this morning. They were heading off site in to the town centre to Primark to get some fluffy socks as they were cold last night. I did tell her to pack some but she obviously didn’t listen. DD’s mate has already lost her voice and there wasn’t even any music last night! Oh and they just walked past Ekin-Su from LI’s brother, who is fit apparently, so they’re going to try and find him later. All is well! 😂😂

snowstorm2012 · 26/08/2022 13:41

All okay, had a text earlier (in reply to mine that is) saying all okay, not sleeping too bad and there are loads of bands on today.

That's funny about the fluffy socks, hopefully she'll be warmer tonight.

So far so good 👍🏼😃

KittyMcKitty · 26/08/2022 13:56

I took dd and friends down this morning and thought it seemed comparatively quiet - they had their tents set up on Wednesday by other friends - they’re in Orange (Orange and Purple are the best campsites location wise). - there are loads from their school there (we’re not that far away so years 11 & 12 tend to go each year).

for those who’ve not picked up from Reading before you won’t be able to get into any of the car parks (pubs / TGI etc) there will be barriers across them all. The Monday is hell on earth - I always pick up from the side of the road in Caversham in a drive by style.

Dd always takes vodka in make up remover bottles. I assume everyone is already there but remember you can’t take any glass bottles on site.

KittyMcKitty · 26/08/2022 14:02

^ the silent disco is in orange so other then orange / purple it’s a really long trek.

Original poster
MumofSpud · 27/08/2022 09:53

Sporadic updates from DD:
She bought a hot dog for £9
Friends went into town yesterday for more supplies Confused
She felt faint during one act so had to leave (Why tell me this?!)
Toilets were disgusting by Friday morning
Enjoying it all so far

OP posts:
sovielverloren · 27/08/2022 10:39

Joining late but have had sporadic texts since Weds, long exchange today as he's ill. Wants picking up tomorrow morning 😞 says quite a few have come down with something and some already left - he's trying to power through and see some performances today. Hoping he can buy paracetamol somewhere?

Rollergirl11 · 27/08/2022 10:43

I’ve had a similar update this morning which was:

  • one portable charger down by yesterday AM and 2nd one won’t last the duration
  • she was physically present for Dave’s set but doesn’t remember ANY of it!! (as you say why tell me this) Stormzy on stage, who what where?? 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️
  • must have got second wind after Dave as at the silent disco till 4am
  • the tent is too hot and they have an infestation of ants

Happy days 👍😂

Rollergirl11 · 27/08/2022 10:46

Oh no @sovielverloren, hope your DS picks up. There is a co-op on site I believe that he can try or otherwise the town centre isn’t too far a walk. Does he think it was something he ate?

sovielverloren · 27/08/2022 10:50

@Rollergirl11 , hoping he has presence of mind to try there! It sounds more coldy, fluey or dare I say it, covidy, than anything else. Although he's 17 he's had very little experience of illness so it's hard to judge from brief texts how bad it is!

Sistanotcista · 27/08/2022 12:05

KittyMcKitty · 26/08/2022 13:56

I took dd and friends down this morning and thought it seemed comparatively quiet - they had their tents set up on Wednesday by other friends - they’re in Orange (Orange and Purple are the best campsites location wise). - there are loads from their school there (we’re not that far away so years 11 & 12 tend to go each year).

for those who’ve not picked up from Reading before you won’t be able to get into any of the car parks (pubs / TGI etc) there will be barriers across them all. The Monday is hell on earth - I always pick up from the side of the road in Caversham in a drive by style.

Dd always takes vodka in make up remover bottles. I assume everyone is already there but remember you can’t take any glass bottles on site.

@KittyMcKitty - are you only referring to pick up on Monday? I fetched DD and friends from TGIF car park last night with no problem at all. Many other parents waiting there too. Also, one of the official pick up points is Hills Meadow Car Park - that was also open (and heaving!) when I drove past last night.

KittyMcKitty · 27/08/2022 12:14

Sistanotcista · 27/08/2022 12:05

@KittyMcKitty - are you only referring to pick up on Monday? I fetched DD and friends from TGIF car park last night with no problem at all. Many other parents waiting there too. Also, one of the official pick up points is Hills Meadow Car Park - that was also open (and heaving!) when I drove past last night.

Show quote history

Last year on the Monday everywhere other then official pick ups were closed off.

Sistanotcista · 27/08/2022 13:40

Okay - just the Monday, then. Thank you.

Original poster
MumofSpud · 27/08/2022 14:13

Rollergirl11 · 27/08/2022 10:43

I’ve had a similar update this morning which was:

  • one portable charger down by yesterday AM and 2nd one won’t last the duration
  • she was physically present for Dave’s set but doesn’t remember ANY of it!! (as you say why tell me this) Stormzy on stage, who what where?? 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️
  • must have got second wind after Dave as at the silent disco till 4am
  • the tent is too hot and they have an infestation of ants

Happy days 👍😂

Update now includes that she was sick yesterday (but not in the tent!) and / because she hadn't eaten
I replied that she needs to eat - otherwise she'll end up missing out as she'll feel rubbish / end up in a First Aid tent

OP posts:
JustLikeAWhiteWingedDove · 27/08/2022 15:25

My DS (16) is there, for the full weekend. I'm just starting to relax at little now but still worrying! Has he got suncream on, is he eating, is he drinking enough water and not just vodka

TeeBee · 27/08/2022 16:27

Getting daily updates from my 16-year old. Day one got his seat soaked (don't even want to ask what that was) and tent broken but having a marvellous time and loving the music. He hates crowds so not entirely sure how he's enjoying it so much.

Rollergirl11 · 27/08/2022 16:37

Yep I’ve relaxed quite a bit now. Although my phone is permanently attached to me in case I miss a call. It’s actually gone pretty quickly if I’m honest.

Having said that I wish I could pick her up tomorrow rather than her stay Sunday night. She’s not particularly bothered about seeing the 1975 and I just feel like it would be easier all round. She also has to work on Monday and she’s going to be absolutely hanging if she only gets back a few hours before. Don’t think she’ll go for it though. 😩

legosunqueen · 27/08/2022 16:40

DS is at Leeds, had brief 'proof of life' messages every day...& he's 'liked' the pictures of DDog that I've sent him a few times a day as requested.

Am wondering if I'll get a text or call asking for more £

@MumofSpud hope your DS is feeling better

Gottoomuchgoingon · 27/08/2022 23:28

Just had a call from a welfare fella. DS hammered and been treated by medics ffs

Original poster
MumofSpud · 27/08/2022 23:32

Gottoomuchgoingon · 27/08/2022 23:28

Just had a call from a welfare fella. DS hammered and been treated by medics ffs

At least he is in the medic tent safe and not lying in a muddy field
Do you need to collect or is he ok enough to stay?

OP posts:
HappyKatieA · 27/08/2022 23:36

I've just found this thread, my 17 (tomorrow) yr old DS1 is at Reading. We've had a few messages, last night he was helping a mate (god knows who) who had taken too many 'pingers'... needed advice! Thank god he felt he could ask, but it still made me panic about what he's up to. He is ASD, this is the first thing he's been to like this, I have no idea how he's managing the whole crowds thing. I'm hoping he has the time of his life but is sensible about it.

@Gottoomuchgoingon oh god, you poor thing. Are you far away?
This is the phone call we all dread isn't it?