We are going out tonight, dinner booked for 7pm, half an hour away, me, husband, 23 year old daughter and 16 year old son. It's for my husbands birthday which was earlier this week.
16 year old announced just now that he was going to his mates house for the evening - he's completely forgotten the meal out
I reminded him and he said he'd come still but it was clear he was a little 'reluctant' so I just said 'if you'd prefer to go to your friends then that's absolutely fine, you can choose'
Me and DH don't mind either way. My sister however was horrified - said we should have made him come
What are your thoughts? Would you have insisted or given the choice?