Would you let your child do this or am I over the top?

I find it weird that let her out to the park and shops etc in the UK but not let her walk down a corridor in a "foreign country". Do you really think the UK is sooo much safer than other countries? None of this makes sense.
My DD is 13. She's allowed to go to the shops and parks with her friends here and I'd let her take the rubbish to the bin in another country (unless it was a particularly dangerous area). Of course there's a small risk in the UK and abroad but what's the alternative? I never let her out of my sight? Until when? Until she's 18? But there's still a risk then!

I went to a destination wedding, which was child free, a couple of years ago and all of the guests with children over 11 left them in the hotel on their own for the wedding..

So yeah I don't think your attitude to this is normal

Yes this. This is really odd. I don’t know why you’re so paranoid, maybe lay off the tv. It’s the USA , probably more like to get abducted in London tbh!

It wouldn't even dawn on me to see that risk.

If you're that worried stand at the door and watch her walk the 20m and back.

But I do think kids need some responsibility.

Why would you think the answer's were not representative? It's a bin a few feet away in an American hotel corridor with CCTV? Do you honestly think most parents would think this was a dangerous situation to put a 12 year old in?

Totally agree OP and I think the answers on here aren't representative of how most mothers would actually behave in real life. Even if they now go on to 'prove' that they would

It's understandable - you're in a foreign country. You're just looking out for your daughter - your instincts are there for a reason.

My mum used to get quite jumpy when we'd visit the States as kids as she was worried we'd get carjacked. She'd be telling us to keep the car windows wound up and not speak to anyone out of the windows.

Can you imagine trying to explain to police and media that you, two adults, Sent a child, alone, to put the rubbish out at night in a hotel full of strangers in a foreign country, if, on the tiny chance, she did get snatched? No I wouldn't do that. I'm surprised so many would tbh.

Weird that you’d let her do it in the UK but not in a “foreign country”. It’s the USA. She speaks the language. What exactly do you think happens there that doesn’t in the UK?

You were way ott. I'd never have given this a second thought.

I would go, at 10 at night, rather than send my GC. I think if the adults want bins emptying etc at what is bedtime, then one of them does it. I'd be telling the kids to get ready for bed and the next day etc. However because my Mum had friends whose 14 year old was snatched in Italy while going to the toilet and tragically never seen again, I'd think like you. They went on holiday to the same place for the rest of their lives, on the date she went and her Birthday, hoping that it was a sex slave etc situation and she would one day escape. I wouldn't think it likely, but once we are aware of what could happen, we risk take based on that. It doesn't make life easy when all I watch is crime/thriller/horror films.

Did you explain your reasoning to DH in front of DD? That catastrophising would likely have a bigger impact on her in the form of anxiety than letting her go/not go in the corridor.

Wouldn't think anything if doing it. My DD that age regularly went down to hotel lobby in NYC to use the communal computer ( before tablets were had by all and sundry)

OTT. I’ve heard more stories of kids being snatched from parks or the walk to school than hotels. It was an irrational decision.

This is very OTT and I think the fact you are away from home has heightened your perceived risk. Even if someone was lurking and tried to grab her, you would presumably hear the screaming and follow that, not just be in a situation where she has disappeared into thin air.

It's fine that you were OTT here. Like you say, she has hardly missed out. However our emotions often cloud our thoughts and rationally this was far less risky than going to the corner shop at home, given the short distance/time plus you being nearby.

But it's a foreign country don't you know......

You put the stuff in the bin?
DH wanted the bin emptied and it’s either you or DD who does it?

On holiday in the US recently, my 12yo often went to the lobby (using the lift) to get himself a drink. He also went all the way along the corridor to fill an ice bucket. It didn't cross my mind to worry about it. At home, he rides his bike a lot. That's something my brain often lands on to worry about.

Can you get some help with your anxiety, OP? The teenage years are going to be tough otherwise.

Definitely OTT. My DD is at greater risk when walking to school, which I would allow her to do.

The true crime genre has a lot to answer for. 😅

Seriously, I can’t think of many safer places than a hotel corridor. Even in a (gasp) foreign country.