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Original poster

Londoners, would you let your DC do this tube trip solo?

22 replies

newlabelwriter · 27/07/2021 08:37

So, we live in London and DD who is 13 has done a few local and easy tube routes without us but with friends. She wants to meet friends (and their dad) in Camden which would mean travelling alone across London and then meeting with them In Camden which is going to be really busy and also friends she wants to meet aren't from London either, which also makes me feel uneasy about it. She's a really sensible girl and has planned her route out but I can't help but feel it's a bit much at her age, but maybe I'm being over protective and should let her get on with it.

What are your thoughts, please?

OP posts:

Chicchicchicchiclana · 27/07/2021 08:41

Yes, I definitely would. Make sure she and her friends have an absolute concrete strategy for what to do if they can't find each other (shouldn't be difficult with mobile phones) and let her go. Encourage her to use her phone as little as possible though (keep it in a small cross body bag rather than a pocket) and just be aware of pick pockets in a crowded place like that.

Original poster

newlabelwriter · 27/07/2021 08:43

Good ideas, thank you.

OP posts:

Foxhasbigsocks · 27/07/2021 08:46

As friends aren’t from London I would think Camden could be a tricky place to meet - several places they could be standing. Very crowded. Means she would have to have her phone out - not ideal in terms of phone theft. I would suggest they all meet at Chalk Farm instead?

YouthfulIndiscretion · 27/07/2021 08:50

I have an older London teen. I’d probably go with her to Camden and hand her over - it’s a hellish place to meet up with someone especially if you don’t know the area.

She should be able to make her own way back.

merrymouse · 27/07/2021 08:50

@Foxhasbigsocks

This seems a good idea.

Original poster

newlabelwriter · 27/07/2021 08:51

Apparently the plan is to meet outside the Vans shop, which is opposite.

OP posts:

Original poster

newlabelwriter · 27/07/2021 08:51

The tube

OP posts:

LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow · 27/07/2021 08:52

also remember Camden can be one way only....or used to be, so iirc it's arrivals only and more of a hike, or the bus to leave.

but yes to PP points of phone theft and proper meetup plans.

YouthfulIndiscretion · 27/07/2021 08:52

Sensible enough rendezvous point. It’ll probably be fine, I’d go with her but I’m quite risk averse.

DGFB · 27/07/2021 08:53

Yes I’d let her

Original poster

newlabelwriter · 27/07/2021 08:53

@YouthfulIndiscretion

I have an older London teen. I’d probably go with her to Camden and hand her over - it’s a hellish place to meet up with someone especially if you don’t know the area.

She should be able to make her own way back.

Normally, I'd do that but I can't get out of a meeting. It's specifically Camden which I think is worrying me because it's really hectic and she doesn't know it at all. Even though they have a plan to meet outside the Vans shop, I still feel she's a bit young for it. Obviously, she feels very differently.

OP posts:

StepladderToHeaven · 27/07/2021 08:54

The above is a good idea. Also make sure they agree on a place to meet in case they get separated.

milian · 27/07/2021 08:55

While Camden is very hectic, the Vans shop is literally right there and obvious from the station so I would think she’ll be fine. Make sure she has a bag which fastens (pickpockets).

merrymouse · 27/07/2021 08:55

@newlabelwriter

Apparently the plan is to meet outside the Vans shop, which is opposite.

Do you know the others? Are they reliable? I’d be concerned that she would be standing there alone for ages.

merrymouse · 27/07/2021 08:58

Also, IME it can be useful if you have contact details for the people she is meeting.

Milomonster · 27/07/2021 09:03

Yes, I would. There is wireless on the underground and so she could message you when the tube is waiting at a station. I d go beforehand to make sure she’s connected eg passwords.

Original poster

newlabelwriter · 27/07/2021 09:09

I do know the people well that's she's meeting, they're old family friend and their kids so I know in terms of them doing what they say they're going to do, they will. But, it's the busy-ness and if they were to get held up that she's be there alone. Last time I went to Camden with them I couldn't get over how busy it was and I've lived in London most of my life. I'm probably really overthinking it and I'd forgotten about the Wi-Fi on tubes now.

OP posts:

YouthfulIndiscretion · 27/07/2021 09:11

Wi-fi on tubes depends on your network. I don’t get it on mine since I changed

Original poster

newlabelwriter · 27/07/2021 09:13

@YouthfulIndiscretion

Wi-fi on tubes depends on your network. I don’t get it on mine since I changed

I'm pretty sure it's fine for Vodafone though which is her network - I'll double check though.

OP posts:

justcheckingreally · 27/07/2021 09:15

I'd let her go tbh. Vans shop is right there and she can go inside if they're not there yet, they'll probably send some time in there anyway. If she was meeting them at the bridge or a random piercing shop than I'd be looking at a different strategy, but Vans shop is great.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 27/07/2021 09:30

Get her to text your number to her friend for the dad to keep in his phone.

user1471538283 · 27/07/2021 10:11

I used to live in Camden and even then the tube station was ridiculously busy. Chalk Farm is much quieter.

I would take her myself on the tube. Meet up with her friends and then I'd go home.

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