Start of summer
On Coping #157
July is filled to overflowing with end of year exams, early birthdays, holiday prep and closing my office for the summer.
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With the kids birthdays falling in late July and early August I ask them what they want to do to celebrate with their friends before the end of term.
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House party.
House party.
House party.
come the replies.
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So after weeks of WhatsApp back and forth with the parents of seventeen 14-year olds and twenty-one 12-year olds the guest list is assembled and we go to Tesco and spend £97 on Fanta and Pepsi and Tango and Haribo and Doritos and Pringles, arrange a PA on the back patio, sweep the trampoline and order a new table tennis table.
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Outfits are discussed
playlists are compiled
and Dominoes is put on standby for a hefty order.
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All three parties happen over the course of one weekend.
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Meanwhile a trio of birthday lists are compiled and transferred to a spreadsheet before my credit card starts an epic journey through the online checkouts of Gymshark, Hollister, Space NK, the PlayStation Store and Sports Direct.
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Alongside this, summer holiday plans are made in minute detail, every day to combine a different mix of friend and activities.
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Beach gatherings and water park trips and swimming pool days and rollercoaster rides and crazy golf and sleepovers and paintball and tennis.
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Trips booked to go to Manchester, Turkey, Scotland, Devon, Worcester, East Sussex.
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I listen to a running commentary from our daughter on each day’s UV level.
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My friend says to me one day
It’s hard enough with two - I don’t know how you do it with three.
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Except it isn’t three.
