Kirstie Allsop's 15 Year Old Son

I went abroad (long haul, not a package holiday) for a month with a friend when I was younger than that. We were fine!

I think this was probably a brilliant experience for him.

I also think many adults would have benefited from this sort of thing. I read too many threads where someone is absolutely shitting themselves about getting around London. A friend at university took a much longer train journey because she just couldn’t believe that she would be able to work the Tube.

Having to work out how to get around without an adult to help is a great skill.

And 16 years old boys signed up in WW1 and some lied about their ages and signed up in WW2 especially if they looked older. A friend was a £10 POM at 18 years old in the 50s. And all this with little or no communication with home.

Well my 16 year old would love to do it. Would I trust him ? Absolutely no way. He’d end up in all sorts of trouble.

He has probably been at Boarding school from 7 anyway so learned to fend for himself from a young age

I agree.

Well she obviously knows her son best, but it feels too young to me. Surely he’d be limited in what activities he could do at that age too?

Irony not that poster’s forte 😂

Are you saying ‘posho’ is derogatory but ‘bint’ isn’t? Could you clarify as I’m a bit 🤔😵‍💫

Kirsty was speaking on the Today show this morning. Just before 9am about her justifying of her son's trip. And her reasons are very reasonable and sensible. Have a listen on BBC sounds

I don't think someone in the public eye should be posting details about their children such as this.

Was her son one of the children who were sat in economy on a flight whilst she was in a business class seat?

“Envious bint”. Wow.

Why be so rude when you’re complaining about rudeness?

In Scotland you can marry aged 16. Been like this forever.

I see you have indeed been a rather polarising presence on this thread: a bit like the lady in question herself...

Just don't start hectoring us about knocking down walls and bossing us into buying properties you would not sniff your nose at, or trying to get us to make crappy handmade Christmas decorations, and all will be well...

Literally, @PointsSouth ?

I think I've achieved something here...

In the same thread I'm being told off both for attacking Kirstie Allsop and for defending Kirstie Allsop.

I might take a shot at Giles Coren next.

@Vettrianofan the legal age for marriage in the UK is now 18. It only rose to 16 in 1929, horrifying.

@PointsSouth

nasty & unnecessary.

i personally think she seems like a nice person, but that's irrelevant just like your personal opinion.

Using the derogatory term 'posho' and assuming they have money and that they went to boarding school
Thete is much envy across MN in general, but today, almost every thread had some envious bint wittering on about how people with dosh are 'x, y, or, z' in their behaviour or outlook

But its part of the same parcel isn't it? She would never dream of compromising on her high standards but rides roughshod over other people's preferences in an obnoxious and officious manner. She is unbearable and I do not trust her statements as she loves to show off and say controversial things for the sake of it. For instance she previously stated that she puts her kids in economy while she goes in first class. Who cares Kirstie - we know she is broadcasting this to demonstrate her manufactured 'laissez affair' approach to parenting for shock value.

I don't think anyone has been able to clarify how her 15 year old son stayed at hostels across the stated destinations with a 16 year old have they?

So no I don't believe it is as how she has stated it.

You're right - she should advise them to put in an offer on a mansion like hers.

I mean, I don't like the woman, as I've said, but I hardly think it's hypocritical, in that show, to suggest that people buy what they can afford.

My problem with her is that she has a tendency to tell them that the things that matter to them don't matter. It's not that she's a hypocrite - I mean, I think she's pretty consistent - it's that she's bossy.

None of which, really, has anything to do with speculation as to how she treats her kids. She hasn't actually contributed to this exchange. I speculated that she probably brings them up one way, and you suggested making a bet that she raised them another way. Neither of us have consulted her. Perhaps we should.

Kirsty loves making controversial statements to get a reaction and handing out 'advice' on how to operate our lives. 'Do as I say' not Do as I do' springs to mind. Have you ever watched Property Ladder and seen her advising young people to not be soooo fussy and just put an offer on the pokey little place she has found for them.... Meanwhile back at Kirstie mansions she is living in the lap of luxury.

Ergo her 'handmade Christmas' claptrap

Please do a quick Google search to avail yourself of the available information.

You "allowed" you adult Daughter to go abroad ?

It is young for most kids but KA’s son will have travelled extensively all his life, they has homes in various countries, his friends probably have homes in multiple countries too, he’d have credit cards and back up cards, friends who have previously travelled have bags of confidence and be completely comfortable booking into hotels.

It is not a like for like situation so it is not realistic to have a blanket opinion about ages.

She obviously felt he was mature enough to go with a friend.
I'm sure he wouldn't have been hitchhiking and staying in rat infested accommodation on his parents budget
There's so many modes of communication and I'm sure she would've have rescued him if in trouble
It's not comparable really
Money and contacts are invaluable.