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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to not let my 17 year old daughter go to the cinema at this time?

512 replies

sweeel · 27/07/2026 15:54

Basically, my 17 year old daughter wants to go to watch the new Spider-Man movie at 845pm this Wednesday, and she's going to the town about a thirty minute drive from us because that's where her friend is (and this is a town we are very familiar with etc. we used to live here but it's still obviously not super near as a local cinema).

She'll reach there by about 730 and hang out with her friend for a bit till the movie but the movie is about 2 hours 20 mins + adverts so I don't think it'll be finished till close to 12am. Then I have to go and collect her and I'm really worried about her safety of being out so late at night and I feel like I shouldn't allow her to go because it's so late and it will be dark by that time obviously even though it's summer...

She booked this time because all the other times were sold out and she wanted to see it specifically on opening night but I'm having serious doubts.

OP posts:
sweeel · 27/07/2026 15:57

Okay thank you! Did just need reassurance it was fine I realise I'm being a bit dramatic.

Don't have an issue going to collect her, a little annoying but that's fine by me, and I'd much rather get her than her take a taxi or bus late at night or something which I do think is a bit more dangerous

OP posts:
MrsOni · 27/07/2026 15:57

I'd left home at 17.

Not letting a 17 year old go to the cinema in the evening is ridiculous.

Snorlaxo · 27/07/2026 15:57

She’s 17 and it’s the summer holidays.

Is she likely to go to uni next year? She may be out a lot later than midnight.

LemonVerbenaGeranium · 27/07/2026 15:56

She’s nearly an adult, with a friend, in a town she and you are familiar with and with you en route to collect her. I have a 17 year old and the only part of this that would mildly irritate me is being required to collect at midnight.

SausageRoll2020 · 27/07/2026 15:56

Cut those apron strings OP!
She is more than old enough to go to see a film that starts at 8:45pm.

There's no need for you to pick her up though she can get a taxi if there's no public transport available.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 27/07/2026 15:56

The only issue i see here is you going at nearly midnight to pick her up. I can see that might not appeal. If you are OK with it, then I dont see the problem.

Cece92 · 27/07/2026 15:56

i get your concern but she’s 17. Next year you can’t stop her going to the cinema at this time. If it’s a one off I don’t see the issue but it’s up to you whether you wanna drive to get her. Can you book her a taxi?

TY78910 · 27/07/2026 15:55

She’s 17 and you’re collecting her. She will be inside of a cinema. This is completely fine.

BIWI · 27/07/2026 15:55

So she's meeting a friend. And she'll be inside the cinema until the film finishes, by which time you'll be there to collect her.

What on earth do you think could happen to her?!

YABmassivelyU

Pootles34 · 27/07/2026 15:55

Gently, she's 17 - in no time at all she will be out clubbing. Good for her to be doing stuff like this as a little half way house.

AgnesMcDoo · 27/07/2026 15:55

She is 17 and its the school holidays. You need to extend the leash. Taxi or night bus if you don't want to get the car out at that time.

FeliciaFancybottom · 27/07/2026 15:55

She's 17, surely it's her decision?!