Would you let your 12 year old do this?

[Homepride1]

Dd 12th birthday is coming up and she would like to take 3 friends to a theme park for the day, I really don't want to be sat on my own all day waiting around for them as they would rather go off alone, so was thinking that I could drop then at the gate (pay see then in) then pick them up at the gate again later at a agreed time!

They would all have phones with them and friends are all 12 as dd is a summer baby

If you were friends parents would you be ok with me suggesting this?

[IAmAShitHotLawyer]

yes I think it would be fine

[Rainicorn]

I have a just turned 12 year old and I'd be fine with this.

[cashewnutty]

I would think that would be fine. I know on school trips to theme parks at that age they are allowed to go off in groups and report back every hour or two. Could you ask you DD to call you every hour or so to make sure they are okay and have a back up plan should they, for any reason, want to leave quickly?

[AuntyMag10]

I wouldn't mind but I think it would make more sense to ask the parents of the 3 girls.

[Fatmomma99]

sorry, but I wouldn't. And I wouldn't be comfortable sending my DD knowing that there's no adult (and she's 13 1/2 and quite responsible). But each to their own.

Not that I think you're BU, just I wouldn't do it myself.

[Pagwatch]

no, I'm afraid I wouldn't let DD go.
We had this exact situation and the parent who suggested it ended up going with them. Two parents said no. One said yes.


It's a personal thing. The other parents may well be fine with it. I'd let them go into town or to the cinema or lots of other thing, but not a theme park.

[Lateswim16]

Of course. Obviously would check it's ok with their parents but would be frankly amazed that anyone would object.

[ghostyslovesheep]

yes - my DD is 13 in Oct and has been to our (very) local theme park a few times this year with her mates - they have a ball x

[Wittynewnameifonly]

I would be uncomfortable but may agree if the DC were all very sensible.

You do need to ask all the parents though, as I would be very annoyed if you had just dumped them there and I had expected them to be supervised all day. It's all about expectations.

[Florriesma]

No. Not on their own in a theme park. And i would be livid if ds was taken to a theme park and then left to his own devices. Far too young. I would rather sit with a coffee and them in sight then if anything happens I would be there but they can still have a giggle without me.

[froggyjump]

if you do decide to do it, have a look at the connected hotels - my son and his friends did this at Alton Towers last year (at 14/15) and the driving mum booked herself into the spa at the resort hotel for the day!

Personally, I think 12 is a little young yet, but I don't know your DD or her friends.

[Blu]

Yes.

[serin]

I would have no problem with this, it gives them a little bit of independence in an area that is well supervised.

Froggyjump, that is a brilliant idea! Might just do that myself.

[NoahVale]

yes - or pehraps you could go in and be there just in case

[wannaBe]

No I wouldn't. It's not them being allowed to wander off on their own that would be the issue for me, but the fact that there was no adult present at all.

What would happen if one of them got hurt, or stuck on a ride for instance. Instances like the one at Alton Towers are thankfully incredibly rare, but it's not so rare for e.g. a ride to break down with people on it.

And how far away were you planning to be?

[NoahVale]

sometimes 12 year olds are scared of rides which can make it difficult for the others in the gropu

[elfycat]

At Alton Towers a couple of weeks ago we asked what age is was OK to do this and they said when we feel the kids are sensible enough. DH and I thought about running of there and then, but the DDs are only 4.6 and 6

If you believe them all to be sensible children, who know to stay together, won't have a falling-out, and won't use the contact phone to take a selfy on a water ride just before the drop man at Legoland in May then I'd have no problem with this for my DDs (later).

Though I would probably do the spa thing... You know... be on site and all that.

[chaiselounger]

Perfectly fine.

[DurhamDurham]

I'd let them do it as long as all the parents were aware of your plans. They will have a great day and you will be saved the boredom of sitting around waiting and having the pleasure of forking out £4 for a cup of crap coffee

[wannaBe]

yep, adult going in with kids and sitting in a cafe for the duration fine. She would be on hand if needed.

Adult dropping kids off and going home and then picking up later not fine. If one were taken ill for instance adult wouldn't be able to immediately get into the park to go and fetch them, just by way of an example.

[MoreBridgetthanRoxie]

I would. My DD in Yr 7 met her friends at Clapham Junction and headed off for a day at Thorpe Park. She texted me regularly. Met friends. On the bus. Inside park now. Stopping for lunch. Heading back. There were 6 of them all 12/13. I was a bit nervous but felt I could trust her.

[todayisayesterdaystomorrow]

No way, of course each to their own, but if something unexpected happened or they argue and fall out with each other would you be happy knowing they are left to fend for themselves at 12 years old. I wouldn't.

[EastMidsMummy]

A theme park is a very safe environment. No traffic. Lots of organised activity. Few hidden spaces. Far less dangerous than walking over a main road to the local park.

[todayisayesterdaystomorrow]

Actually I'm sorry but have you seen the news lately ? I know accidents are rare but ffs think about how they would cope if it did.