Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DD making her own way home from a bar job in the city centre.

157 replies

Theteenagerera · 26/02/2025 17:56

DD has just turned 18 and is currently doing her A levels, she has an unconditional for a uni away from home and so will be moving to said city in the summer.

She has had a few part time jobs in her teens but due to a family house move last year had to leave the last one and has struggled to find anything since.

We live on the outskirts of not a particularly nice city and it’s a good 45-50 minutes home by bus. She has just had an interview for a city centre pub and was asked if she could work to 2am which DD has said is not a problem!!

We have just had words on her way home as while I’m glad the interview went well I just don’t think I’d be comfortable with her getting a night bus back on her own while the pubs and clubs are piling out. Her argument is she hasn’t been able to find anything else so it’s this or nothing and I know she really wants the money.

For full transparency we have never put any pressure on her to find a job however I don’t think she has put as much effort into the hunting as she says she has…

some of that is not her fault as obv mid A levels however she also has the classic teen mentality things she wants will just fall into her lap and when nervous and can come across quite fumbly with words so nothing has come of introducing herself and handing CV’s into places or phone call to potential employers despite her having barista, front of house, till/closing up experience.

AIBU to think that she probably can find something with more suitable hours if she tried and that it’s quite dangerous for a young girl (albeit an adult, just,) to be walking about, standing at a bus stop and making her way home at 2am?!

The reason I brought moving away from uni and that I posted on here before I discuss with DH is he much more laid back than me already thinks that I am over protective and I know his response is going to be “she is 18 and is going to have to navigate all this stuff on her own in a few months” which I agree to an extent but I feel while she is at home we should still be guiding her to make safe and sensible decisions.

AIBU and would you be happy for your own DC to do this?

OP posts:
IdaGlossop · 26/02/2025 18:21

She has to do it and look after herself. I wouldn't like it but I wouldn't allow myself to try and stop it.

Snooks1971 · 26/02/2025 18:18

Tbh, I initially thought no I wouldn’t be happy about this and was going to suggest Uber etc as a possibility (shared cost with you perhaps)

Then I thought again and actually yes I do think it’s good practise for navigating leaving clubs etc in the early hours. Also, she will be stone cold sober after work and hyper aware of her surroundings, despite predictably being surrounded by pretty annoying pissed people!

TheWorminLabyrinth · 26/02/2025 18:12

She's 18. She could be falling out of bars & clubs off her head, instead she's going to work. Virtually all city centre bars are staffed by young people. You're being ridiculous.

Octavia64 · 26/02/2025 18:10

Many pubs and clubs are staffed by 18-25 year olds.

Do you have a specific reason to be more worried about her (she is particularly naive, might go with people, etc?)

Theteenagerera · 26/02/2025 18:08

No unfortunately she can’t drive.

She has had a few lessons and has been out with DH but realistically won’t be passing her test before she leaves for uni and not something wehave prioritised as it’s not a car friendly city and with an inner campus

OP posts:
Tumbleweed44 · 26/02/2025 18:01

If she is 18 can she drive?

Personally, no I would not like this for my DC but my DC could drive from 17 and a half and started Uni two weeks after turning 18 so the issue never came up when they were at home.

helpfulperson · 26/02/2025 18:00

I would say it's good practice for being away from home.

Swipe left for the next trending thread