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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 · 28/08/2022 21:01

DD has just texted that their campsite has been locked off for a few hours because of the carnage (her words)
I didn't need to know this
And then to read about the 16 year old boy at Leeds 😔

OP posts:
TeeBee · 28/08/2022 21:08

Yeah my son has just told me that green camp just turned into a war of throwing stuff around and then at the end, there was a round of applause and a massive game of one bounce. And this is fun??? Jesus! Can't wait for him to come home. Utter bloody carnage.

Original poster
MumofSpud · 28/08/2022 21:15

TeeBee · 28/08/2022 21:08

Yeah my son has just told me that green camp just turned into a war of throwing stuff around and then at the end, there was a round of applause and a massive game of one bounce. And this is fun??? Jesus! Can't wait for him to come home. Utter bloody carnage.

What's one bounce ? am picturing DD in the middle of it

OP posts:
TeeBee · 28/08/2022 21:22

Batting a ball around to each other but you can only let it bounce once. Apparently the whole camp was playing.
It amazied me that throwing their stuff at each other constituted entertainment.

Original poster
MumofSpud · 28/08/2022 21:28

TeeBee · 28/08/2022 21:22

Batting a ball around to each other but you can only let it bounce once. Apparently the whole camp was playing.
It amazied me that throwing their stuff at each other constituted entertainment.

I imagine that the throwing stuff started off fun then got more and more stupid with what was being thrown

OP posts:
Wowzel · 28/08/2022 21:31

I also live walking distance from the festival, most of the attendees are so young, it's hard not to worry about some of them!

Dalaidramailama · 28/08/2022 21:56

So sad about the boy in Leeds 😢

TeeBee · 28/08/2022 22:44

Poor parents. I just can't begin to imagine.

DianaGarageDoors · 28/08/2022 22:51

Awful news about the boy at Leeds.

DianaGarageDoors · 28/08/2022 22:53

in case it’s helpful for anyone- I picked DS up from St Anne’s Road in Caversham. Very short walk from the festival and no issues about stopping. (Apologies to residents of St Anne’s Road if this increases traffic on your road.)

HappyKatieA · 28/08/2022 22:56

So sad about the boy at Leeds.

I've just had a message from DS1, he wants picking up tomorrow... 🤯. I had a feeling it was coming. He said 'come as close to the white camp as possible' 😂yeah, right! 🤦🏻‍♀️

mrsdolittle · 28/08/2022 23:10

DS come home this afternoon. Had an early bird ticket and I think he'd simply had enough (got there Wednesday morning) Said Arctic Monkeys was awesome and nothing could top it. Also said it was getting "a bit messy". He's a bit older (18) and a lot of his mates drove so he hitched a ride. Glad to have him home (ish - DH and I were enjoying being child free!).

Reading seems to be a festival that attracts quite a young crowd (16-19) and I wonder if the relative immaturity of the festival goers is part of the problem. Is throwing bottles of urine about a thing at glasto?

Wishing well to all collecting their DC's tonight/tomorrow.

Rollergirl11 · 28/08/2022 23:33

@ScratchyCat did you collect your son okay?

I’m leaving early in the morning and picking up DD and 3 friends at 8am from the station. Hoping it won’t be too manic at that time. We are about 40 mins away and hope the roads will be quiet.

ScratchyCat · 28/08/2022 23:51

Rollergirl11 · 28/08/2022 23:33

@ScratchyCat did you collect your son okay?

I’m leaving early in the morning and picking up DD and 3 friends at 8am from the station. Hoping it won’t be too manic at that time. We are about 40 mins away and hope the roads will be quiet.

Thanks @Rollergirl11
Yes, I managed to pick them up from cremyll road which is parallel to Richfield avenue. Richfield avenue was very busy and all entrances fenced off and but some of the side roads were quieter.

Original poster
MumofSpud · 28/08/2022 23:52

My DD has just been on the phone asking about getting picked up tonight!
I think she's had enough !

OP posts:
HappyKatieA · 29/08/2022 00:04

Oh @MumofSpud tonight? Wow, I hope you're not far away?

I'm still waiting for DS to let me know what time he would like picking up tomorrow. I don't mind going, but would like to know if it's early... I'll have to set an alarm.

Original poster
MumofSpud · 29/08/2022 00:05

@HappyKatieA No am quite near!

OP posts:
snowstorm2012 · 29/08/2022 00:05

My son is home, tired but okay to be honest, he had a fab time, said he saw a few 'knob heads' (his words plus a few other words thrown in) but okay, had a fantastic time, and pleased to be home. He said Bastille were brilliant 👍🏼

abovedecknotbelow · 29/08/2022 00:31

I thankfully mine aren't old enough yet but when I used to go many years ago Sunday night always degenerated, too many kids, not enough sleep, too much alcohol / drugs and an adrenaline crash.

Original poster
MumofSpud · 29/08/2022 02:18

One overtired / grumpy / sunburnt / hoarse DD in bed now

I made the mistake of assuming that the shuttle bus dropped off at the same point it collected - it didn't!

The roads round the station TGI's were gridlocked but everybody good natured and patient!

Of course my DD was waiting in a quiet road and could not understand why I wasn't there at the speed of lightning!

Til next year ConfusedGrin

OP posts:
Rollergirl11 · 29/08/2022 07:06

@MumofSpud and @snowstorm2012 i bet you’re so glad they’re home! What an adventure!

I’m heading off now to collect DD. 🤞

Rollergirl11 · 29/08/2022 08:09

Just to let people know that the TGI/Aldi/The Range car park is very much open and there are loads of people here picking up.

HappyKatieA · 29/08/2022 09:16

My husband has just got there, he says the car park is fine.

Hope all the teens are well and happy, and get some excellent sleep today!!

snowstorm2012 · 29/08/2022 09:42

I hope all of the teens are home safe and well too. I don't expect to see my son until late this afternoon, he'll sleep for England I think 😂

Take care all, it's been lovely 'chatting' the last few days xx

TeeBee · 29/08/2022 11:05

Mine has come home and gone straight to bed. Am hoping the smell of my roast brisket rouses him in a few hours. All dirty laundry has been placed in a bin bag and only half his alcohol drunk. Praise the lord.