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AIBU?

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Are Dh and I being unreasonable to have let my 13 year old DSS take a 9 minute train journey on Saturday evening, (6pm)?

128 replies

piscofrisco · 17/11/2025 16:54

We have today been accused of endangering the child. He was dropped off at a shopping mall with his friend who was staying with us, to meet some other friends. He had down this before whilst at his Mothers. We suggested they take the train back as it’s actually quicker than us driving the round trip to pick them up and because it’s nice, we thought, for them to have a bit of independence.
As it was the first time he has been on a train without one of us we:
bought their tickets.
told them the time of the train and the platform.
reminded them where to get off (1 stop, a 9 minute journey).
called them half an hour before the train was due to leave.
spoke to them as they boarded the train.
picked them up at the station our end.

both boys were fine, quite happy on return and didn’t even comment on it.

this morning we have be told by their Mother that we endangered them and that our DSS was upset by being ‘made to take the train’

Have we done anything unreasonable
here?

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 17/11/2025 16:58

Absolutely not.

BreadstickBurglar · 17/11/2025 16:58

Not unless it was a war zone or there was a blizzard, or he has SEN you haven’t mentioned.

Many kids go to school by train daily from a lot younger. I wonder when she thinks is a good age to tackle the dread locomotive.

MummytoE · 17/11/2025 16:57

No, you absolutely have not done anything wrong. Maybe your husband should speak you you DSS why his mother thinks he wasn't happy?

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