Would you let your child go on this school trip?

it completely depends on the child. My seven year old would not cope, they would be exhausted and just want to be in bed. My old child (at seven) would have been fine but very cranky the next day.

Every parent has to make their own call but an afternoon show would be a better idea

It depends on the DC.
If they can manage a late one or not.

Loved that sort of thing at their age (and now). What harm will it do? A slightly tired child the following day, an early night and all is well.

some parents are a bit pathetic really...why deprive your child of an "adventure" that all their mates are talking about which is not risky in any shape or form?

Definitely, I would not want them to miss out on that!

At 7 years old, are they really going to enjoy the show

Yes they will.

or by the second half will they be too tired?

No they won't.

Oh, of course they should be allowed to go on the school trip. It's ONE night. It's not going to kill them and I'm sure their parents won't have their whole life ruined if their kid's a bit sleepy and grumpy the next day. Jeez, some people are so bloody uptight.

Do you think anyone ever reaches adulthood and thinks 'You know what, I really respect my parents for making me miss out on a magical, exciting and enriching experience because it was past my bedtime. I would certainly be a worse and unhappier human being today if I'd had that one late night. So glad I've got those lovely memories of being put to bed as normal that day while my friends were at the theatre.'

It's an experience and an adventure. I wouldn't dream of saying no. But I do think an evening performance for such young children wasn't maybe the best idea in the world.

For sure. I remember things like this as a kid and yes I was groggy the next day, but it was cool to feel like a grown up. As for keeping the routine, for us what works is we get them up at the same time they’d normally be up. I also try and do this myself when I have a late one. They’re little shits in the day because they’re tired, but they go to bed at normal time the next day (sometimes even earlier) and it resets them.

I would say no. Even aside from the late travel, an evening performance of a west end musical won’t start until 7.30, finish around 9.30.
At 7 years old, are they really going to enjoy the show or by the second half will they be too tired?
So I wouldn’t send them on the school trip but if it’s something they are excited about I would arrange to take them myself for a matinee performance. It’s baffling that the school haven’t thought to plan it for the afternoon show!

I am 42. I still have fond memories of doing this exact trip at that age.

If you don't want your kid to go , don't let them .Why shouldn't people get to go who want to ? Does one parent get to choose fir everyone else? Bonkers.

I would, if someone could collect them at midnight, be there for them the following morning & get them to school

It's a one off so wouldn't bother me. It might be difficult for single parents to pick up though if they have other children at home

I don’t think it’s a well thought out trip. My seven year old would be a sobbing mess at 9.30. Some kids can cope with a late night and some can’t. A afternoon show would be a much better idea

Of course 🤷‍♀️

I was thinking that. When I had younger DC and DH worked away a midnight pick up would have meant either a babysitter or getting toddlers out of bed either way a PITA.

My 7 year old really gets tired if kept up after 9pm, usual bedtime is 8pm.

If the performance was finished and they'd be travelling back by 9.30pm I'd let them go as they'd sleep on the coach and get carried all the way home to bed. If they had to stay up behind 10pm then no I'm afraid.

I’d let them go if I thought they’d enjoy it but I’m also the parent that would be dealing with the grumpy child the next day. Both of mine wouldn’t sleep later in the morning, they’d just be really awful the next day. They’d promise me if they were allowed to go they’d be angelic, but they really don’t function well when tired.

I think parent who has to collect them after midnight (possibly miserable after being woken from sleep on the coach), get them up the next morning, and put up with them being difficult the next afternoon/evening gets final say.

I’d let them go. Accept the following day is a write off.

Didn't they do this for England football team reaching the world cup final or euros final ?? I definitely remember this in my school . Because it was on so late they let the children come in later the next day ?

Yes. I remember going to a London show back in the 1970s (and we all had far fewer opportunities in those days). It fuelled a lifelong love of theatre, which is one of my greatest joys.
And, even if that doesn't happen for your child, it will be fun AND school-approved. What's not to like?

Probably, but we wouldn’t be able to send them in late the next day as we have work.

Let the kid go in the trip!

What a great experience for a child who's showing an interest in drama.

Yes I would let them go.

Mine are adults now and I used to be quite uptight about bedtimes but I always allowed leeway for special occasions like this and holidays etc.

They were talking recently about how a neighbour knocked on the door one Sunday night with a sledge ... it had been snowing heavily without our knowledge, and they wanted our DDs to go out and play in it. They were in bed.

DDs came down the stairs in their pyjamas, convinced I would say no ... I said quick, get your warm clothes on .... it's this sort of thing that makes lovely memories.

It’s one day and a memory they will have for life. They should absolutely go!