Football matches?

[FluffyTheDog]

Hi Mumsnet,
My 17 year-old son has a season ticket at Sheffield Wednesday. He's been going on his own to home games on the tram (the journey is roughly 50 mins) for about 2 years now as well as the odd away game. But now he's wanting to go to the mid-week games on his own too. He's been to a few before but I generally have his dad pick him up afterwards, as I don't want him wandering around in the dark. He says this isn't necessary and I'm being over-protective. If he got the tram home he'd probably be home around 10.45 and I wouldn't be overly happy about this. What do you think? Should I let him go?
Thanks!

[mumeeee]

I would let him go. Being home by 10.45 is not late for a 17 year old and he knows the journey,

[ChillySundays]

I understand how you feel. I would feel the same - my son is 16 and am having to get used to this sort of thing.
Don't know Sheffield but am presuming that there will be plenty of people around at the end of the match taking the tram so won't be alone. Is the stop he gets off at far from where you live? Could you compromise for the first few matches that he is met there?

[FluffyTheDog]

Thanks for the replies. To answer your question, the stop is about 2 minutes walk from where we live. The tram still has a few on it when he gets off. He's been met after the matches outside the ground a few times and he's fine with that, but obviously that's not always practical as sometimes his dad works evenings, so he wants to be allowed to go on his own. Maybe picking him up at the tram stop like you say. Any other thoughts?

[ChillySundays]

I take it you can't meet him at the football ground?

[LeftHandedMouse]

Can he go with friends? At least for part of the ride home?

And I'm guessing you don't live in a particularly dodgey part of the tram route? Meaning he won't be left on the tram with a bunch of neanderthals going further on?

[Hakluyt]

Hang on- he's 17, he knows the route......really really you must let him go on his own. I can't believe people are suggesting the OP go and meet him!!

[3teenageboys]

I have to agree with Hakluyt, i think he would be ok to go on his own. The only stipulation that I would specify is that he text you when he is on tram and text you when approaching his get off stop. My son is 16 and when he travels home in the dark, these are the rules.

Hope this is helpful. The way to think is, he may be away at Uni next year and you will have no idea what he is up to!!

[ChillySundays]

I know Hakluyt and 3teenageboys are right but sometimes you just worry about your little boy. That's why I suggested for the first couple of times to meet. I also have a DD19 and I think my views have also been clouded by the fact I have been very protective over her being out at night.

[Hakluyt]

"I know Hakluyt and 3teenageboys are right but sometimes you just worry about your little boy. That's why I suggested for the first couple of times to meet."

Of course you do. You'll still be worrying about them when they're 60. That's why the OP needs to sit on her hands, pin on a smile and wave him goodbye.

The problem is hers, not his, and he shouldn't have to deal with it. And I speak as someone whose 18 year old daughter is 450 miles away, and often walking home at 3 in the morning............

[Mitzimaybe]

What Hakluyt said.

It's a journey he knows; unless he has special needs, he's pretty much an adult and not a "little boy" any more. He'll be home by 11pm at the latest (make it a condition, if you want, that he must come straight home.) Also make it a condition that he gets up in time for school or work the next day with no prompting, if you want.

Loosen up on the apron strings!

[Mitzimaybe]

Oh and tell him good luck against Bournemouth tonight!

[Mitzimaybe]

And after tonight, the Wendies don't have another midweek home game until March, by which time he'll be even more grown up.

[Picturesinthefirelight]

I used to at 17 but I'd passed my test & I drove there. The ground was 15 mins away from home (half an hour allowing for crowds & traffic)

[bigTillyMint]

He's 17. Surely he's allowed out later than 10.45? I completely understand that you will worry about him, but after the first few times you will worry less. St your ground rules and let him gain a bit of independence.