Summerfest Dilemma

"That my friends is fatherly love. "

Either that or a clever way to get down to Summerfest to drink a few pints himself while the kids were doing the concert.

Kudos to your spouse!

It would be worth a ticket yourself to see her mortified look at having to attend with her father!

Summerfest is creating it's own nightly discourse around here, too. (Wait, now why am I up at 1 am?)

I think our children share the same 'friend'. Not likely (!), but I think there's one (or more) in every group. I struggle, though, with being a 'helicopter' parent. What age do you stop tagging along? Frankly, I've found Summerfest and the other festivals to be less risky than a BEHS/BCHS dance or party.

Its not summerfest. Its drunkfest or beerfest. Its way too crowded, smells like bar and everyone is either toasted beyond belief or just stands in the way taking up space.

I dont think the spouse deserves any kudos. The girls obviously wanted to go to get hammered.

Lord Brookfield--

I don't think it's "obvious" at all that the girls wanted to get "hammered". You don't know my stepdaughter or her friend. They wanted to go to a concert, and Summerfest books outstanding musical acts. Not having been to a nighttime concert there, the girls' naivete lies in the fact that they think a concert at Summerfest is just a concert, when in fact it is not, for some of the reasons you pointed out. That is where the experience of an adult parent, who actually is aware of some of the problems that Summerfest can present, comes into play.
As parents of teenagers know, it is difficult to gauge how much independence to give a teen. There are parents out there who probably would have let the girls go and not given it another thought. The Spouse (a non-drinker) attending with the girls was an appropriate compromise. They still get to attend the concert, and a parent is there to keep an eye out for them.

"The Spouse (a non-drinker)"

Oh my, I couldn't have guessed.

I believe that at this point the only way out of the conundrum, Ms. Wannabe, would be for you to attend the concert with the girls. Then, after the whole crowd gets hammered, Spouse pulls up, scoops you all into the safety of the SUV, and motors the group home for breakfast bloody marys.

Cold be the start of a lovely family tradition!

Oops, That's 'cold' as on 'could', of course!

Ms. Wannabe, when you are back on your feet, perhaps you would consider doing a followup blog informing us as to how the big trip to Summerfest turned out.

Most of us old folks really enjoy watching the next generation raising their teens. Sort of like watching a younger sibling getting braces!

Someone is very naiive.

If all the teens of your acquaintance are all looking to get "hammered," well then your harsh outlook is somewhat understandable.

But I can't let you disrespect my stepdaughter or her friend. Let's end it at that.

Sure thing. But why would she initially lie about her plans or be vague and hide her intentions? Get your head out of the sand.

They tried to put one over on you and you are too blind to see it. Maybe you should try educating her instead of placating her.

Gee Ms. Wannabe, ain't it wonderful to have a 'know it all' reader who can help you through these difficult life situations?

You are not the only one benefiting from LB's vast intellect and wide ranging experience.

I believe that there is a general consensus that LB is probably a 13 or 14 year old kid whose enjoying dad's laptop for summer vacation. Hopefully, we'll have a respite when he goes off to scout camp to study Culicinae for a couple of weeks.