I still haven't taken a pic of the shawl (which I am wearing) because I'm charging my elderly phone and I know that if I unplug it to take a pic, I'll never remember to plug it back in. The washing machine comes tomorrow and I'll need the phone to be active and fully charged.
The purple pens have arrived for bear, who is suitably grateful. I may steal a few. I love writing in purple. I try and be practical and sensible and pragmatic, but really I have the soul of an easily distracted magpie.
Bear is heading towards teenage parties again. He has a party tomorrow and then next week, after a lot of revision and an exam, he has some more. He's nearly eighteen, which is the legal drinking age here. I've had some thoughts about that. Bear doesn't seem keen on drink, for which I am pathetically grateful. However, if he goes to a party of mostly eighteen year olds then it's sort of expected that he brings something with an alcohol content. Up to now, he's taken Pringles. To the best of my knowledge, legally he could already drink in the home. He can't buy alcohol, however, and can't drink it at a pub or restaurant until he reaches 18. After that, all bets are off.
It's hard to know what's the best. I don't want bear to start drinking. However I don't want him to stand out in his friend group. And he won't be invited to many parties if he doesn't bring something that has alcoholic units in, at least to a lot of the local parties. My inclination is to pick up some low alcohol white wine (which won't stain if it's spilled) and trust bear to be sensible. And if he's going to have a moment when he's not sensible with alcohol, now is a good time when he's at home and I'll pick him up from anywhere at any time if he needs me. For me, I'd rather anything stupid happened now rather than when he was at university and away from a safety net. I'd love to hear people's opinion on this. For me, the best course would be that he sticks to lemonade, but what do I know?
As I haven't taken any pics today, I thought I'd share one that I loved and that seemed particularly suited to this time of year.
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Hugs and good health to all.
I love to write with purple pens!
ReplyDeletePersonally, I would let bear handle any expectations his friends might have about him drinking and/or contributing alcoholic beverages to the party. If he tells you that he needs to take something alcoholic to his next party, then, discuss it with him and decide what he should take. But, don't anticipate it.
Love that picture!
ReplyDeleteHave you asked Bear what he thinks about the drinking? My thought is just to tell him that you'd rather he didn't, but if there ever comes a time when he drinks too much or is in a situation that he doesn't feel safe in, to give you a call and you'll pick him up, no recriminations. At some point I think all young people try it, but if it's not something that's a forbidden, most don't overdo it more than once or twice.
What does Bear like to drink? Encourage him to be himself, if he doesn’t enjoy drinking then just take something he likes. Alcohol free beers and lagers are very good these days, He could take some of those. If there’s no alternative, he is more likely to start drinking alcohol. Also, I don’t think many young men drink white wine (I could be wrong of course!)
ReplyDeleteI would be very surprised if Bear had not had the opportunity to drink alcohol if he wanted to in my experience drinks that are taken to a party go into a shared pot. Bear seems so sensible I think you should discuss it with him . Pam
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